The fire department of the city shall consist of one company and may make its own constitution, bylaws, rules and regulations, and may change the same at pleasure, subject to federal and state law and regulation and the charter and ordinances of the city.
(Ordinance 1105 adopted 4/16/09)
The organization of the department shall consist of a fire chief, assistant chief, training chief, three engine company captains, safety officer and such other officers as may be elected by the members under the constitution and bylaws of the department to act as officers thereunder. These positions may be served by paid professionals or volunteer firefighters, save and except as determined by section 5.03.003 of this article. There shall be not more than 39 active members, inclusive of paid and volunteer members, and not more than 20 reserve members, inclusive of all officers.
(Ordinance 1105 adopted 4/16/09)
The city council shall appoint a fire chief, who serves as the chief executive and operations officer for the department and performs such duties as define in this article 5.03, section 5.03.005. All other officers shall be elected by the department membership according to the experience and training qualifications and conditions as set forth by department constitution and bylaws. Members may elect honorary members who are not subject to performance or training qualifications.
(Ordinance 1105 adopted 4/16/09)
The chief, two captains and two members of the city council (appointed by the mayor in May of each year), shall constitute the fire council. The fire council shall have authority to investigate and adjudicate all cases of irregularity, insubordination or disorder resulting from departmental operations and take such corrective action as necessary. The action so taken shall be reported to the city council at the next regular meeting and shall be binding and final unless contrary or alternative action is taken by the city council. The chief, upon the request of any two members of said council, or the chief alone, if he deems necessary, shall call a meeting of said council for discharge of its duties and responsibilities. A majority of the members of the fire council shall constitute a quorum. Reasonable notice of such meeting shall be given to all members.
(Ordinance 1105 adopted 4/16/09)
The chief shall have general supervision and control of the fire department and shall be the medium of communication between the same and the city council except as to the duties and obligations given to the fire council as stated above. The chief shall have general supervision and authority over all other officers, members of the department and all persons who may be present at a fire. He may direct the placement of firefighting equipment in the most advantageous positions and shall take proper measures in extinguishing fires, protection of property and preservation of order, observance of state laws and city ordinances and regulations respecting fire fighting procedures. In the absence of the chief, the next ranking officer present shall be in command and shall be vested with all the powers and duties herein granted to the chief. At any fire, the chief shall cause any house, shed, awning, fence or other combustible material to be removed or destroyed if it becomes absolutely necessary in order to preserve the spreading of flames. The chief shall prepare or cause to be prepared a report in writing to be submitted by June 30 of each year which shows the property of the city in possession of the department and the condition of the same. The services performed during the year, the number of fires and estimated damage thereof, and other such information as may be deemed to be of interest concerning the operations of the department, which report shall be entered upon the minutes of the company and a copy furnished to the city council for its information. The chief will develop, revise and maintain current Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) as attachment to and extension of the departmental constitution and bylaws reflecting rules, regulations and requirements set forth by the Texas Commission on Fire Protection, National Fire Protection Agency’s Federal Register, and/or the State Fireman’s and Fire Marshall Association.
(Ordinance 1105 adopted 4/16/09)
All members of the fire department must reside within 10 minutes of the city limits. In order to stay in good standing with the department, all members, active and reserve, must meet the minimum participation, training and physical conditioning requirements as set out by the department constitution and bylaws.
(Ordinance 1105 adopted 4/16/09)
Full-time and part-time departmental employees will be compensated accordingly to the current city compensation plan. Volunteer members shall receive a monthly reimbursement expense allowance as established in the current city budget ordinance.
(Ordinance 1105 adopted 4/16/09)
In order to maintain adequate numbers to meet operational demands, new members shall be recruited under the guidelines for eligibility stated within the department constitution, bylaws and conditions established under the Equal Opportunity Policy, (City of Coleman, Personnel Handbook, chapter 1, section 1.03); within membership limits as established in section 5.03.002 of this article.
(Ordinance 1105 adopted 4/16/09)
Full-time paid firefighters shall be employed by the department under its constitution and bylaws, with the approval of the city manager, save and except reservations established for the appointment of chief established in section 5.03.003 of this article. Full-time firefighters are expected to fully conform to all conditions as set forth in the departmental constitution and bylaws and within the city’s personnel policy handbook.
(Ordinance 1105 adopted 4/16/09)
It is the responsibility of the fire chief, working in collaboration with the departments line officers, to cause to be prepared and shall be delivered to the city manager by June 30 of each year, a proposed budget for the fire department for the forthcoming fiscal year, review and compare the budget approved by the city council for the fire department with actual expenditures of the department and shall not permit, if at all possible, the excess of expenditures over the budgeted amounts.
(Ordinance 1105 adopted 4/16/09)