CHAPTER VII. FIRE PROTECTIONCHAPTER VII. FIRE PROTECTION\ARTICLE 2. FIRE DEPARTMENT

The city manager shall appoint a chief of the fire department, upon giving due consideration to the recommendation of a majority of the members of the fire department. The fire chief shall appoint an assistant city fire chief of the fire department and an assistant county fire chief of the fire department, with both appointments coming from the current membership of the fire department. The membership of the fire department shall appoint, by majority vote, other fire-fighters to the fire department of the city, not exceeding 30 in number. The members of the fire department shall have the duties as shall be prescribed by the ordinances of the city, and shall receive compensation for each fire run and practice drill as shall be provided by ordinance.

(Code 1972, 10-26; Ord. 2548)

A chief of the fire department shall be appointed who in addition to his or her duties as chief of such department, shall exercise the duties imposed by law on the fire chief of the city.

(Code 1972, 10-27)

The chief of the fire department, under the direction of the city manager, shall have complete control and supervision of the fire department, the firefighting equipment of the city and of the fire equipment belonging to the county, stationed in the city. He or she shall be responsible for the proper organization, training, discipline and operation of the fire department and all fire apparatus belonging to the city or the county. The chief shall have full power, control and command over all persons at fires. As fire chief of the city, he or she shall take the proper steps to correct and abate the fire hazards thus reported, as provided by ordinance and the state laws; provided, the rules and regulations of the state fire marshal shall be enforced by the fire chief.

(Code 1972, 10-28; Ord. 2548)

The assistant city fire chief, in the absence of the chief thereof, shall have full responsibility and charge of the operation of the fire department and all fire apparatus belonging to the city or the county, and shall be responsible to the city manager for the discharge of his or her duties hereunder. The assistant county chief shall have like powers on all fire or practice runs inside or outside the City in the absence of fire chief and assistant city fire chief.

(Code 1972, 10-28:9; Ord. 2548)

At least two thirds (2/3) of the membership of the city fire department shall reside within the City of Sterling. Up to one third (1/3) of the membership of the city fire department may be of individuals residing outside of the City of Sterling but within the responding territory of Rice County Fire Department #1 (RCFD #1), Station 3. All members of the fire department shall be permitted to operate any equipment belonging to the city or to the county, and may respond to all fire runs within the city or within the responding territory of RCFD #1, Station 3.

(Code 1972, 10-30; Ord. 2548)

Members of the city fire department must be at least eighteen years of age.

(Code 1972, 10-31; Code 1984; Ord. 2548)

The physical health of each city/county firefighter is recognized as a qualification for membership in the fire department, both for their own safety as well as for the safety of the other firefighters and the citizens of the fire district. Before being considered for membership in the department, a prospective member must obtain and present to the fire chief a certificate from a physician stating that he or she is physically qualified to be a firefighter. This certificate is to be obtained at the prospective member’s own expense. A physical examination is not necessary if the prospective member’s health is known to the physician. Additionally, after any period of disability, serious injury, or hospitalization, a member must present to the fire chief a statement from the member’s physician attesting to the member’s physical qualifications for again being an active firefighter.

(Ord. 2266, Sec. 11; Ord. 2548)

City fire-fighters including the chief of the fire department, shall receive at least $16.50 for each alarm answered. The chief and each member of the fire department shall each receive at least $11.00 for attending each drill and the instruction meeting incident thereto held by the fire department; provided however, not more than two such drills and instruction meetings shall be held during any one calendar month for which such payment shall be made.

(Code 1972, 2-9; Code 1984; Ord. 2550)

Any subordinate officer or fire-fighter of the department who neglects to attend any fire or drill, without submitting an excuse which is satisfactory to the chief (or the appropriate assistant chief) or shall neglect or refuse to do his or her duty or obey the orders of the chief or his or her proper commanding officer, or shall leave his or her post of duty while performing the same at a fire without permission of the chief or his or her proper commanding officer shall be subject to suspension from the department by the chief and shall forfeit the amount of compensation otherwise due him or her for answering a fire call. In the event any member of the fire department shall be absent from any fire or fire drill for three consecutive times, without sufficient excuse, he or she may be removed from the department by the fire chief with the consent of the city manager.

(Code 1972, 10-34; Ord. 2548)

The chief of the fire department shall hold a business meeting during the first regularly scheduled meeting of the department each month and a training meeting/drill during the second regularly scheduled meeting each month. The training meeting/drill shall be for not less than one hour every month during good weather, and at such other times and places as may be determined to be necessary for the proper training and discipline of the members of the fire department.

(Code 1972, 10-35; Ord. 2548)

The chief of the fire department shall keep an accurate list of all equipment belonging to the city for use of the fire department and he or she shall maintain an accurate record of all fire alarms, practice drills, and the attendance of members of the department at the same. He or she shall further make all reports required by the city manager and by the laws of the state which shall be necessary for the proper and effective discharge of the affairs of the department, and may include his or her recommendations for the improvement of the firefighting services of the city.

(Code 1972, 10-36)