(a)
There
shall be maintained a fire department to provide means for fire protection,
emergency 911 services, public safety education, fire prevention code
enforcement, other disaster services, and the city shall provide for
the maintenance, support and regulation of a full service fire department.
(b)
A firefighters’
force to be known as the fire department is established. It shall
be composed of both paid and volunteer personnel as follows:
(1)
The
paid firefighters’ force shall be composed of those commissioned
positions as established in the annual budget of the city.
(2)
The
volunteer firefighters’ force shall be composed of a maximum
of 35 active members who have volunteered to join the organization
and whose applications have been approved by the volunteer membership.
Active volunteer firefighters shall participate in the State Firefighters’
and Fire Marshal’s Association of Texas certification program.
(3)
All
paid and volunteer personnel shall comply with all the rules and regulations
of the city and of the fire department, and shall be approved by the
fire chief and the city manager.
(4)
The
human resources department shall establish and maintain a job description
with the minimum qualifications for each position in the fire department,
including paid and volunteer personnel.
(Ordinance 2021-28 adopted 11/23/21)
(a)
In addition
to sections of this article outlining the establishing of the fire
department, authority is granted for the volunteers to establish a
constitution and bylaws of the volunteer department to be developed
and approved by the volunteer membership.
(b)
A constitution
and bylaws shall be approved by a two-thirds vote of the volunteer
membership governing business and operations. A copy of the documents
and all proposed changes shall be furnished to the city manager and
city council.
(Ordinance 2021-28 adopted 11/23/21)
(a)
Directs
training of personnel and administers laws and regulations affecting
department.
(b)
Evaluates
fire prevention and fire control policies by keeping abreast of new
methods and conducting studies of departmental operations.
(c)
Performs
essential duties and responsibilities of firefighter as needed to
complete departmental mission.
(d)
Maintains
departmental discipline and the conduct and general behavior of assigned
personnel.
(e)
Train
personnel in all aspects of the job.
(f)
Assures
that incident command system (ICS) is utilized at all emergency scenes
and assures the utilization of the personnel accountability system
at all large incidents.
(g)
Supervises
firefighters engaged in operation and maintenance of fire stations
and equipment.
(h)
Coordinates
mutual fire protection plans with surrounding departments and agencies.
(i)
Surveys
buildings, grounds, and equipment to estimate needs of department
and prepare departmental budget.
(j)
Assures
compliance with departmental preventative maintenance schedules and
the optimal functioning of all equipment.
(k)
Confers
with officials and community groups and may participate in public
relations campaigns to present need for changes in laws and policies
and to encourage fire prevention.
(l)
Establishes
and maintains effective working relationships with other employees
and the general public. May conduct or assist with public education
classes.
(m)
Maintains
conduct and appearance so as to reflect on the department in a manner
promoting good relations with all concerned.
(n)
Conducts
routine purchasing of supplies and equipment, with budget categories
determined by the city manager.
(o)
Reviews
and recommends the implementation of new and innovative technology.
(p)
Prepares
annual departmental budget for submission to the city manager for
modification and approval. Plans for needed capital expenditures and
submits requests for purchase to the city manager.
(q)
Ensure
all department equipment, vehicles and tools are properly and adequately
maintained to the level of the manufacturer’s recommendations
or higher
(Ordinance 2021-28 adopted 11/23/21)
Officers of the fire department, in order of the chain of command
for combat operations involving paid personnel and volunteers, shall
be as follows:
(1)
Fire
chief.
The chief of the fire department shall be the
chief administrative officer of the fire department. He/she shall,
with the approval of the city manager, appoint and remove the employees
of said department and shall perform such duties as may be required
of him/her as set forth herein. The fire chief shall be appointed
by the city manager with the approval of the city council, for an
indefinite term. The chief shall be responsible to the city manager
for the administration of his/her department and the carrying out
of the directives of the city council. He/she may be removed from
office by the city manager with the approval of the city council.
The fire chief shall reside within the city limits during his/her
tenure of office. The fire chief, elected by the volunteer membership
and approved by the city manager.
(2)
Assistant
chiefs.
Volunteer/career appointed by the fire chief
and approved by the city manager.
(3)
Fire
marshal.
Paid/career appointed by the fire chief and
approved by the city manager.
(4)
Battalion
chief.
Paid/career, appointed by the fire chief, and
approved by the city manager.
(5)
Fire
captain.
Paid/career and volunteer appointed by the fire
chief and approved by the city manager.
(6)
Fire
lieutenant.
Paid/career and volunteer appointed by the
fire chief and approved by the city manager.
(7)
Firefighter.
Paid/career firefighters and volunteer firefighters, appointed
by the fire chief and approved by the city manager.
(Ordinance 2021-28 adopted 11/23/21)
(b)
Active
volunteers will participate in the firefighters relief and retirement
fund (SB 411), administered by the state firemen’s pension commissioner,
as approved by the city council by contract dated October 24, 1979,
effective November 1, 1979. The pension fund will be funded through
the fire department budget.
(c)
The fire
department volunteer membership is authorized to accept donations
or contributions for their volunteer services provided in and out
of the city from individuals and businesses. The donations may include
money or equipment. The volunteer membership has the authority to
hold fundraising events as approved by a majority of the volunteer
membership, the fire chief and the city manager. All equipment becomes
part of the city inventory.
(Ordinance 2021-28 adopted 11/23/21)
