This chapter shall be known as the "Town of Wales Volunteer First Responder/Rescue Department Ordinance."
[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town Meeting of the Town of Wales 3-8-2014. Amendments noted where applicable.]
This chapter is enacted in accordance with the Town of Wales' Charter, the State of Maine Constitution, Article VIII(2), and 30-A M.R.S.A. § 3001 et. seq. Pursuant to this authority, the Town of Wales hereby establishes a First Responder/Rescue Department.
A.
There is hereby established the Wales First Responder/Rescue Department (the "Department") within the Town of Wales, which shall provide rescue and medical transport services for residents of the Town of Wales.
B.
The further purpose of this chapter is to organize the Department, to define the powers and duties of the Rescue Chief, Rescue personnel, the Board of Selectmen and the Department members and to provide them with the maximum legal protection available and to best protect the health, safety, property and welfare of the residents of the Town of Wales.
For the purposes of this chapter, the following terms shall be defined as follows:
The Wales First Responder/Rescue Department established pursuant to this chapter and supported by the annual Town budget.
The person duly appointed pursuant to this chapter who serves as the head of the Department. The Rescue Chief shall be the Department head and responsible for the day-to-day supervision and maintenance of the Department but at all times subject to the supervision of the Board of Selectmen.
An active member of the Department, whether full-time, part-time, on-call, or volunteer and at least 18 years of age, who aids in providing first aid, emergency treatment and rescue and/or medical transport services consistent with the Department's and individual's level of licensure, as well as other services as may be required to provide for public safety.
The duly elected Board of Selectmen for the Town of Wales, Maine.
The Town of Wales, Maine.
The Department shall provide rescue, emergency medical assistance and transport services as set forth herein. The Department shall be comprised of one Rescue Chief appointed by the Board of Selectmen, and other individual-member Rescue personnel appointed as set forth herein.
A.
The Rescue Chief shall be responsible for the day-to-day operation of the Department and shall be directly subject to the supervision and administrative control of the Board of Selectmen.
B.
Any rules and standard operating guidelines prepared by the Rescue Chief shall be reviewed and approved by the Board of Selectmen before becoming effective.
C.
The Rescue Chief shall keep informed as to the latest practices in the field and, with the approval of the Board of Selectmen, shall implement such new practices as appear to be of benefit to the Department and to the public.
D.
The Rescue Chief shall submit annual reports of the activities of the Department and additional reports when requested by the Board of Selectmen.
E.
The Rescue Chief shall have the power to delegate to members of the Department such duties and responsibilities as he/she deems advisable, together with the proportionate authority for their fulfillment, but in no case may over-all responsibility or accountability be delegated.
F.
The Rescue Chief shall be responsible for the proper custody and care of all Town property and equipment used in or by the Department.
G.
The membership shall include individual residents and nonresidents of the Town of Wales who are at least at 18 years old and who have been accepted as Rescue personnel members of the Department pursuant to § 46-7C. Rescue personnel are primarily responsible for providing rescue, emergency medical assistance and ambulance transport services consistent with the Department's and individual's level of licensure, as well as other services as may be required to provide for public safety.
H.
The Board of Selectmen shall determine the number of members necessary for the effective operations of the Department, acting on a recommendation of the Rescue Chief. All applications for membership must be approved by the Rescue Chief and must meet all membership standards described in any Wales Rescue Department member qualifications and expectations document which may be adopted and amended by the Board of Selectmen. All new memberships will be probationary for a six-month period, followed by a review of their performance by the Rescue Chief, before full membership status is achieved. Full membership shall be considered for approval only after successful completion of the probationary period.
I.
The Rescue Chief and Rescue personnel shall not receive compensation from the Town except for death/injury benefits. However, the Rescue Chief and/or Rescue personnel may be compensated with a nominal stipend consistent with the Department's appropriation, if any, provided through the Town budget process.
[Amended 6-13-2026]
A.
Appointment of Rescue Chief.
(1)
The Board of Selectmen shall appoint a Rescue Chief for a term of not more three years. Candidates for this position whenever practical shall be active members of the Department. All candidates shall have a demonstrated knowledge of applicable state and federal laws, rules and regulations pertaining to operation of the Department. Candidates shall also possess experience in command emergency or related services, emergency rescue and transport services, administrative experience and willingness to attend training to remain informed about current requirements and technology applicable to the Department.
(2)
Members of the Department may provide to the Board of Selectmen nominations of qualified persons for these positions. The Board of Selectmen may fill the positions from the nominations or with persons identified on its own initiative.
B.
The Board of Selectmen may remove the Rescue Chief from office for just cause after notice and hearing.
C.
The Rescue Chief may appoint and remove Rescue personnel as he/she deems appropriate and necessary to best carry out the purpose of this chapter and within the budgetary limitations created by funds appropriated by the Town.
D.
The Rescue Chief shall establish and maintain a system of records and reports that is sufficient to demonstrate the operation, activities and control of the Department. This is to include but is not limited to records of all calls responded to, incident investigations, inspections, personnel attending incidents and training sessions, apparatus and equipment maintenance, expenditures and other related information. The Rescue Chief shall also maintain rosters of all Department members, including contact information and information on training received.
[Amended 6-13-2026]
A.
All apparatus, equipment, supplies and other goods purchased with funds appropriated for the Department shall be considered property of the Town. In addition, in the event the Town receives donations of equipment and/or supplies, the Board of Selectmen can authorize use of those donations to the Department so long as those donated items remain the property of the Town.
B.
All funds raised or appropriated for the Department at Town Meeting shall be treated as municipal funds. The Rescue Chief is responsible for obtaining goods and services necessary for the proper operation of the Department within the limitations of appropriations made for that purpose by the municipal budget. All funds appropriated for the Department shall be treated as municipal funds and no expenditures may be made unless approved by the Board of Selectmen on a properly subscribed disbursement warrant.
C.
To the fullest extent permitted under the Town's Charter, the Board of Selectmen may enter into contracts, leases or other agreements with other municipalities or private parties for the use of buildings, apparatus, equipment and services to augment or support the Department on terms and conditions the Board of Selectmen determines to be in the best interest of the Town.
D.
The Department is authorized to apply for and receive grants, provided such applications are approved by the Board of Selectmen. Additionally, the Department may receive gifts of money and equipment.
Pursuant to 30-A M.R.S.A. § 3156, the Board of Selectmen, in consultation with the Rescue Chief, may enter into mutual aid agreements with other municipalities for first responder, rescue or other emergency services.
This chapter was enacted by the voters of the Town of Wales on March 8, 2014, and is effective on March 8, 2014.