[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.
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.
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.
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.