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City of Westminster, MD
Carroll County
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Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Code
New Laws (2) Index
[HISTORY: Adopted by the Mayor and Common Council of the City of Westminster as indicated in article histories. Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Police Department — See Ch. 33.
Fire prevention — See Ch. 78.
[Adopted as Ch. 7, Art. III, of the 1972 Code, as amended through 1990]
The Westminster Fire Engine and Hose Company No. 1 of Westminster, Maryland, an incorporated company formed in Westminster for the suppression of fires therein, or its officers or persons having command according to the rules and regulation of such company shall be and are hereby vested with all the necessary power and authority to carry into effect the purposes for which said company was organized, i.e., the suppression and prevention of fires and explosions in the City of Westminster, and to do all acts and things necessary for said purposes, the same not being contrary to law.
A. 
The citizens of Westminster are hereby required and enjoined to comply with and aid and assist the authority and directions of the officers of said company or persons authorized as aforesaid.
B. 
All persons present at the scene of any fire or explosion are hereby required and enjoined to comply with all lawful orders given them by firemen acting in the line of duty and, upon request, to aid and assist firemen in the protection of life, health and property from the hazards of fire and explosion.
[1]
Editor's Note: See also Ch. 78, Fire Prevention, § 78-1, Prohibited acts, of Art. I of that chapter; and § 106-8, Interference with officers and employees, of Ch. 106, Peace and Good Order, Art. III, City Officers, Employees and Property.
It shall be the duty of the President or other officer of the Westminster Fire Engine and Hose Company No. 1, or the person having command according to the regulations of said company, and they shall have full power to preserve order and regularity at all fires in the City, to direct the positions of engines or apparatus of the company and the places from which the supply of water or other necessary material is to be brought and to see that the several divisions of the company and of other persons called on to assist shall act in concert and perform their respective duties at such fires, and they shall have full power and authority to order and force away from the vicinity of such fire any disorderly person. If any person shall refuse to obey or shall resist the authority of the officers of such company or other persons commanding by its authority as aforesaid on such occasions or shall aid, assist or encourage others in such disobedience or resistance, he shall be guilty of an offense against this section.
[Amended 1-12-2009 by Ord. No. 800]
A. 
The provisions of Ordinance No. 306, Section 1, adopted February 20, 1952, authorizing the establishment of a Fire Police Corps, are hereby continued in full force and effect to the extent that the provisions thereof are not inconsistent with this article.
B. 
In this section, the following words shall have the meanings indicated:
FIRE CHIEF
The Fire Chief of the Westminster Fire Engine and Hose Co. No. 1.
FIRE COMPANY
The Westminster Fire Engine and Hose Co. No. 1.
FIRE POLICE CHIEF
Chief of the Westminster Fire Police Corps.
POLICE CHIEF
Police Chief of the City of Westminster.
PUBLIC SAFETY ACTIVITY
Includes any event occurring in the City of Westminster and requiring fire or police resources. These activities include, but are not limited to, the following:
(1) 
Fire emergencies such as traffic collisions, fires, medical emergencies, explosions and chemical hazards.
(2) 
Police emergencies, such as significant crimes, traffic accidents, power outages and road closures.
(3) 
Planned events, such as parades, festivals, funerals, demonstrations and public events.
C. 
The members of the Westminster Fire Police shall be appointed by the President of the Fire Company upon the written request and recommendation of the Fire Police Chief. Said President shall only appoint those applicants who have received a favorable recommendation from the Westminster Police Department based upon a background investigation.
D. 
Members of the Westminster Fire Police shall have the authority to direct vehicular and pedestrian traffic within a reasonable area surrounding a fire, police or public safety activity occurring in the City.
(1) 
In instances where there is no police involvement, the Fire Police will operate under the general direction of the Fire Chief or ranking member of the Fire Company in charge of the public safety activity.
(2) 
In instances where there is police involvement, the Fire Police will operate under the general direction of the Police Chief or ranking member of the Westminster Police Department in charge of the public safety activity.
E. 
Members of the Westminster Fire Police may perform vehicular and pedestrian control activities, only after the successful completion of a training program approved by the Police Chief or the Chief's designee. This training will be provided by the Westminster Police Department at no cost and will include both initial training and annual recertification training.
F. 
Members of the Westminster Fire Police will be provided accident, health care and general liability insurance while acting in their official capacity as a Westminster Fire Police officer as follows:
(1) 
The Fire Company will provide insurance coverage in those instances where Fire Police officers provide service at the scene of a public safety activity under the direction of the Fire Chief or ranking member of the Fire Company.
(2) 
The City of Westminster will provide insurance coverage in those instances where where Fire Police officers provide service at the scene of a public safety activity under the direction of the Police Chief or ranking member of the Westminster Police Department.
[Adopted 5-10-1993 by Ord. No. 564]
In this article, the following words shall have the meanings indicated:
ALARM SIGNAL OR SIGNALS
The activation of a fire alarm system that requests a response by the Westminster Fire Engine and Hose Company No. 1.
ALARM SYSTEM
A fire alarm system, including an automatic fire alarm system and a system of manual fire alarm stations, that produces an audible signal when activated.
ALARM SYSTEM CONTRACTOR
A. 
A person engaged in installing, maintaining, monitoring, altering or servicing fire alarm systems; or
B. 
An agency that furnishes the services of a person engaged in installing, maintaining, monitoring, altering or servicing fire alarm systems.
C. 
"Alarm service contractor" does not include a person who only sells or manufactures fire alarm devices unless that person services, installs, monitors or responds to fire alarm systems at protected premises.
ALARM USER
A. 
A person in control of an alarm system within, on or around any building, structure, facility or site.
B. 
Includes the owner or lessee of an alarm system or of the building, structure, facility or site in which an alarm system is operational.
FALSE ALARM
Any request for immediate assistance by the Fire Department regardless of cause that is not in response to an actual emergency situation or threatened emergency situation.
A. 
"False alarm" includes:
(1) 
Negligently or accidentally activated signals.
(2) 
Signals that are the result of faulty, malfunctioning or improperly installed or maintained equipment.
(3) 
Signals that are purposely activated to summon the Fire Department in nonemergency situations.
B. 
"False alarm" does not include:
(1) 
Signals activated by unusually severe weather conditions or causes beyond the control of the alarm user or alarm system contractor; or
(2) 
Signals activated during the initial sixty-day period following new installation.
C. 
An alarm system that is activated a second time within a twelve-hour period when the premises are unoccupied shall be deemed a "false alarm" if:
(1) 
Access to the building is provided to the alarm system contractor; and
(2) 
An alarm system contractor or an employee of an alarm system contractor or an employee of the owner or lessee responds.
D. 
Failure to comply with Subsection C of this section shall result in each subsequent alarm being counted as a false alarm.
FIRE DEPARTMENT
The Westminster Fire Engine and Hose Company No. 1.
Any person who intentionally activates an alarm signal for a nonemergency situation is guilty of a municipal infraction. The penalty for violation shall be a fine of $400 for each offense.
[1]
Editor's Note: See also Ch. 106, Peace and Good Order, § 106-20, False alarms.
A. 
Except for alarm systems activated by acts of God, weather conditions or causes beyond the control of the alarm user, an alarm system that is negligently or accidentally activated as the result of faulty, malfunctioning or improperly installed or maintained equipment shall be subject to the provisions of Subsections B and C of this section.
B. 
The City's Code Enforcement Officer may issue a municipal infraction to an alarm user if the number of false alarms to which the Fire Department actually responds exceeds:
(1) 
Three responses within a thirty-day period; or
(2) 
Five or more responses within a twelve-month period.
C. 
The penalty for violation of this section shall be a fine of $100 for each initial false alarm and $200 for each additional false alarm.
A. 
Presumption. In this section an alarm system is deemed a defective alarm system if:
(1) 
More than three false alarms occur within a thirty-day period; or
(2) 
Five or more false alarms occur within a twelve-month period.
B. 
Notice of condition. The Fire Department that answers false alarms shall provide notice to the alarm user of the defective condition.
C. 
Actions by alarm user. Upon notice from the Fire Department, an alarm user who has a defective alarm system shall:
(1) 
Have the system inspected within 30 days by an alarm system contractor or alarm user, if qualified; and
(2) 
Within 15 days after the inspection file a written report with the Fire Department, with a copy to the City's Code Enforcement Officer.
D. 
Report. The report shall contain:
(1) 
The results of the alarm system contractor's or alarm user's inspection;
(2) 
The probable cause of the false alarms; and
(3) 
Actions taken or recommendations for eliminating the false alarms.
E. 
Any alarm user who continues to use a defective alarm system after being notified that the system is defective is guilty of a municipal infraction. The penalty for violation shall be a fine of $400. Each day a violation continues is a separate event.
A. 
An alarm system contractor shall notify the Fire Department by telephone before servicing an alarm system.
B. 
Violation of this section is declared to be a municipal infraction. The penalty for violation shall be a fine of $100 for each offense.