(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.
(1) 
Paid fire department.
Authority is hereby granted to maintain a paid fire department. The paid fire department shall be headed by the fire chief and operated in accordance with city ordinances, resolutions, policies, codes, and state law.
(2) 
Volunteer fire department.
Authority is hereby granted to maintain a volunteer fire department. The volunteer fire department shall be headed by the volunteer fire chief and operated under the chief's direction in accordance with city ordinances, resolutions, policies, and codes, state law and the bylaws adopted and as amended by the volunteer fire department.
(b) 
A firefighters' force to be known as Lamesa Fire Rescue is established. It shall be composed of both paid personnel, known as the city's fire department, and volunteer personnel, known as the city's volunteer fire department, as follows:
(1) 
The city's fire department's force shall be composed of those certified positions as established in the annual budget of the city.
(2) 
The city's volunteer fire department's force shall be composed of a maximum of 32 active members who have volunteered to join the organization and whose applications have been approved by the volunteer membership. Two fire companies shall be established among the volunteer members. 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.
(4) 
The human resources department shall establish and maintain a job description with the minimum qualifications required for each position in the fire department, including paid and volunteer personnel.
(Ordinance O-4-23 adopted 4/18/2023)
(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 O-4-23 adopted 4/18/2023)
(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 O-4-23 adopted 4/18/2023)
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 fire rescue shall have administrative and supervisory control of the city's fire department and volunteer fire department. The fire chief shall be appointed by the city manager with the approval of the city council for an indefinite term. At least two (2) officer of the volunteer fire department and at least one (1) paid fireman will be included of the selection process for the fire chief. The fire chief shall, with the approval of the city manager, appoint and remove the employees of the fire department and shall perform such duties as may be required of the fire chief as set forth herein. The fire chief shall be responsible to the city manager for the administration of the fire department and the carrying out of the directives of the city council. The fire chief 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 or her tenure of office. The fire chief shall serve as an ex-officio member of the volunteer fire department officer's committee.
(A) 
Fire department chain of command.
(i) 
Assistant chief.
Career firefighter appointed by the fire chief and approved by the city manager.
(ii) 
Fire marshal.
Career firefighter appointed by the fire chief and approved by the city manager.
(iii) 
Fire captain.
Career firefighter appointed by the fire chief and approved by the city manager.
(iv) 
Fire lieutenant.
Career firefighter appointed by the fire chief and approved by the city manager.
(v) 
Firefighter.
Career firefighters appointed by the fire chief and approved by the city manager.
(B) 
Volunteer fire department chain of command.
(i) 
Volunteer fire chief.
Volunteer firefighter elected by the volunteer members.
(ii) 
Volunteer assistant chief.
Volunteer firefighter elected by the volunteer members.
(iii) 
Two volunteer captains.
Volunteer firefighters elected by the volunteer members.
(iv) 
Two volunteer lieutenants.
Volunteer firefighters appointed by the captains.
(v) 
Secretary/treasurer.
Volunteer firefighter elected by the volunteer members.
(vi) 
Sergeant at arms.
Volunteer firefighter elected by the volunteer members.
(vii) 
Training officer.
Volunteer firefighter elected by the volunteer members.
(viii) 
Reporter.
Volunteer firefighter elected by the volunteer members.
(Ordinance O-4-23 adopted 4/18/2023)
Active volunteer firefighters shall be furnished the following by the city:
(1) 
Complete protective clothing and safety equipment, meeting current NFPA standards.
(2) 
Communication equipment for responding to fire or other emergency alarms.
(3) 
Fire department uniform.
(4) 
The volunteer fire department shall participate in the Texas Emergency Services Retirement System and the city, on behalf of the volunteer fire department, shall enter into a pension system contract with the office of the firefighter's pension commissioner on behalf of the board of trustees of the Texas Emergency Services Retirement System.
(5) 
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's inventory.
(Ordinance O-4-23 adopted 4/18/2023)
(a) 
The fire prevention and investigation division is hereby created. Such division will be a part of the city's fire and rescue with the fire marshal being a member of that division and reporting directly to the fire chief.
(b) 
The fire marshal will be appointed by the fire chief. The fire marshal must be skilled in investigations, inspections, and management and will devote sufficient time to educating the public in fire safety while enforcing federal, state, and local laws, rules, and regulations as they pertain to fire prevention. Prior to being appointed to arson investigation duties, the fire marshal and any fire protection personnel must comply with all required state laws, rules, and regulations for arson investigators, including possessing a current peace officer license from the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE), if applicable.
(c) 
When the building official, fire chief or fire marshal determines that the condition of any premises creates a serious fire hazard dangerous to human life, such official may order a utility company to disconnect the utility service to the premises until the hazardous condition is removed. In cases of emergency or in situations where a utility company does not respond to or comply with any such order, the building official, fire chief or fire marshal has the authority to immediately disconnect or cause the disconnection of utility service.
(Ordinance O-4-23 adopted 4/18/2023)