This chapter is adopted pursuant to authority granted by Michigan
Law, including Public Acts 33 and 51 of 1951, as amended.
There is hereby established the Cannon Township Fire Department.
The Township Board shall appoint such persons who, based on experience,
training and qualifications, would, in the discretion of the Township
Board, best perform the duties of providing fire protection to the
Township. The Fire Chief may recommend suitable persons for Fire Department
positions.
A proposed Fire Department budget shall be prepared annually
by the Township Board or, upon its request, by the Fire Chief or other
appropriate Township personnel. Upon adoption by the Township Board,
the budget shall be the budget of the Fire Department for the ensuing
fiscal year of the Township.
The Fire Department is authorized to carry out emergency medical
and rescue services in the Township and, on a mutual aid and assistance
basis, in other municipalities in the county. The Township may acquire
vehicles, apparatus, equipment and supplies in order that the Fire
Department may carry out such services. Personnel of the Fire Department
are authorized to respond to medical and rescue emergencies. The Fire
Chief shall institute and carry out an ongoing program for the training
and certification of Fire Department personnel for such purposes.
Compensation to firefighters shall be in such amounts and shall
be paid at such times as may be determined by the Township Board.
When responding to emergencies, all personnel shall drive emergency
vehicles with appropriate concern for the safety of the public. Use
of emergency signals on vehicles shall be considered a request for
the right-of-way from other drivers. Use of emergency signal equipment
shall be permitted only when the Fire Department has been officially
dispatched to an emergency.
Required protective gear shall be worn when engaged in firefighting
activities. Lost or damaged equipment shall be reported as soon as
possible to an officer. Township property shall be disposed of only
with the prior approval of the Township Board. All Fire-Department-issued
equipment shall be returned to the Fire Chief by personnel leaving
the Fire Department.
The Township Board may enter into agreements with other municipalities
in order to provide for mutual aid and assistance between the Township
Fire Department and the Fire Departments of such other municipalities
in the extinguishing of fires, providing emergency medical and rescue
services and carrying out other cooperative fire protection activities,
including joint training activities and the like.