Chapter 7 · Fire

Article 1. Fire Department

Sections 7-101 to 7-111 · 11 sections

7-101 City fire department established.

The fire department of the city is hereby established and the department shall be organized to consist of a director of emergency services, at least one assistant fire chief, other officers as needed and firefighters. The director of emergency services shall be appointed by the mayor and confirmed by the governing body. Members of the fire department shall be appointed by the director of emergency services.

(Ord. 010-2004-149; Code 2007)

7-102 Membership; fire drill; compensation.

Members of the fire department shall all be volunteers. They shall meet at least once each month for practice and drill. The director of emergency services shall keep a record of attendance of such meetings. Any member who is absent six consecutive meetings may be expelled from membership. The director and members of the fire department may be compensated for meetings, fire calls, and extra duties as designated by the director, at an hourly rate of pay which shall be established annually by the governing body of the city.

(Ord. 010-2004-149; Code 2007)

7-103 Supervision of department.

The director of emergency services shall be under the supervision of the city administrator and shall have immediate superintendency and control over and be responsible for the care and condition of the fire apparatus and equipment. It shall be the director’s duty to see that all such apparatus and equipment is ready at all times for immediate use.

(Ord. 010-2004-149; Code 2007)

7-104 Director of emergency services; powers.

(a)The director of emergency services shall be responsible for the discipline of the members and is hereby given authority to suspend or expel any member for refusal to obey orders for misconduct or failure to do his or her duty at a fire, or for violation of department rules and regulations.

(b)The director shall also have the right to summon any and all persons present to aid in extinguishing a fire or to aid in removing personal property from any building on fire or in danger thereof and in guarding the same.

(c)At fires the director shall have full power, control and command of all persons present and shall direct the use of the fire apparatus and equipment, and command the fire fighters in the discharge of their duties. He or she shall take such measures as he or she shall deem proper and necessary in the preservation and protection of property and extinguishing of fires.

(Ord. 010-2004-149; Code 2007)

7-105 Same; records.

The director of emergency services shall keep in convenient form a complete record of all fires. Such information shall include the time and location, construction of building, owner, occupancy, how extinguished, value of building and contents, members responding to the alarm, and any other information deemed advisable.

(Ord. 010-2004-149; Code 2007)

7-106 Assistant chief.

In the absence of the director, the assistant fire chief shall perform all the duties and have all the authority and responsibility of the director as conferred by this chapter.

(Ord. 010-2004-149; Code 2007)

7-107 Private use of fire equipment.

It shall be unlawful for any person or persons to take away or use any fire apparatus or equipment for any private purpose or for any person willfully and without proper authority to remove, take away, keep or conceal any tool, appliance, equipment or other article used in any way by the fire department.

(Ord. 020-1965-010, Sec. 13; Code 1990)

7-108 Fire equipment; emergency right-of-way and use.

(a)All fire apparatus and equipment is hereby given and granted the exclusive right-of-way over and through all streets, avenues, alleys and public thoroughfares in the city while enroute to fires or in response to any alarm, and it shall be unlawful for any person or persons to in any manner obstruct or hinder the apparatus or equipment.

(b)All emergency vehicles of the fire department, while proceeding on official business, shall be operated in strict accordance with the requirements of the Kansas Statutes regarding the operation of emergency vehicles, and rules of the city fire department, each departmental member assigned to the operation of emergency vehicles shall familiarize himself or herself with the requirements of the law and of rules, govern himself or herself accordingly. Any operator violating the provisions of the state law or department regulations shall be liable for disciplinary action.

(Ord. 020-1965-010, Sec. 9; Code 1990)

7-109 Same; fire hose.

It shall be unlawful for any person or persons to drive any vehicle over any fire hose laid on any street, alley or lot. This section shall not apply to any apparatus or vehicle being driven by members of the fire department.

(Ord. 020-1965-010, Sec. 10; Code 1990)

7-110 Obstruction of fire hydrant.

It shall be unlawful for any person to place or cause to be placed upon or about any fire hydrant any rubbish, building material, fence or other obstruction of any character, or in any manner obstruct, hinder, or delay the fire department in the performance of its duties in case of fire. Nor shall any person fasten to any fire hydrant any guy rope or brace, nor stand any vehicle within 15 feet of any such hydrant.

(Ord. 020-1965-010, Sec. 11; Code 1990)

7-111 False alarm.

It shall be unlawful for any person to knowingly make or sound or cause to be made or sounded, or by any other means, any false alarm.

(Ord. 020-1965-010, Sec. 12)