Ord 3 Establishing a Volunteer Fire Department444 /
AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING A VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT
i AND MAIGNG RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR THE GOVERNMENT OF THE SAME
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The Village Council of the Village of Mendota Heights, Dakota County, Minneso ;
ordains as follows:
Article 1. Fire Department Established. There is hereby established in this
( Village a Volunteer Fire Department consisting of a Chief, a fire Marshal, and not less than
fifteen (15) nor more than twenty -five (25) firemen.
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Article 2. Election. The Chief, the Assistant Chief, and the Fire Marshal shall
be elected for a 3 -year period by the members of the Department subject to confirmation by the
Council. Each shall hold office for three years and until his successor has been duly elected,
except that he may be removed by the Council for cause and after a public hearing. Firemen
and probationary firemen shall be appointed by the Fire Chief, subject to confirmation by the
Council. Firemen shall continue as members of the Department during good behavior, but may
be removed by the Council for cause and after public hearing.
Article 3. Duties of Fire Marshal. The office of Fire Marshal may be held by the
Chief or Assistant Chief or other designated by the Chief, subject to approval by Council, The
Fire Marshal shall be charged with the enforcement of all ordinances aimed at fire prevention.
He shall have full authority to inspect all premises and to cause the removal or abatement of all
fire hazards, in conformity to all existing State fire codes. In case of any dispute arising under
this section, the property owner concerned shall have the right of appeal to the Village Council.
Article 4. Duties of Chief. The Chief shall have control over all fire fighting
apparatus and'shall be responsible for its care and condition. He shall report, semi -- annually,
to the Council at its meetings in March and September, as to the condition of the equipment and
needs of the fire .department, He may submit additional reports and recommendations at any
meeting of the Council, and he shall report each suspension by him of a member of the fire
department at the first meeting of the Council following such suspension. He shall be responsible
for the proper training and discipline of the members of the fire department, and may suspend
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any member for refusal or neglect to obey orders pending final action by the Council on his
discharge or retention. He shall be available twenty -four (24) hours each day, unless relieved
in accordance with Article 7.
Article 5. Records. The Chief shall keep in convenient form a complete record
of all fires. Such record shall include the time of the alarm, location of fire, cause of fire
(if known), type of building, name of owner and tenant, purpose for which occupied, value of
building and contents, the Chiefrs own estimate of the loss incurred, members of the depart-
ment responding to the alarm, and such other information as he may deem advisable or as may
be required from time to time by the Village Council or State Insurance Department. Prelim-
inary estimate shall in no way be construed as being binding in insurance loss adjustment.
Article 6. Practice Drills. It shall be the duty of the Chief, to hold a monthly
practice drill of at least one hourrs duration, and to give the firemen instruction in approved
methods of fire fighting and fire prevention, as prescribed by the National Board of Fire Under-
writers.
Article 7. Assistant Chief. In the absence or disability of the Chief, the Assistant
Chief shall perform all the functions and exercise all of the authority of the Chief. He must be
available twenty -four (24) hours a day. In the absence of the Chief and the Assistant Chief, a
Captain shall act as Chief. He also must be available twenty -four (24) hours a day.
Article 8. Firemen. All Officers and members of the Department shall be not less
than eighteen (18) nor more than sixty -five (65) years of age, or older by special permission of
the Council, and able bodied. They shall become members of the fire department only after
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a six (6) montW probationary period. The Council may require that each candidate, before he
may become a probationary fireman, must satisfy certain minimum requirements of height,
weight, physical and mental condition or any other qualifications which may be specified by the
Council.
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Article 9. Loss of Membership. Firemen absent from three consecutive drills or
cans, or a total of twn (10) drills or calls in one calendar year, unless 'excused by the Chief,
shall forfeit membership in the department.
Article 10. Compensation. The officers and members of the Fire Department shall
receive such compensation as the Village Council may, by resolution, specify. In computing
compensation for fires, one hour shall be considered the minimum to be paid to any officer or
fireman.
Article 11. Relief Association. The members and officers of the Fire Department
shall organize themselves into a Firemans Relief Association.
Article 12. Related Services. In addition to fire fighting, the Fire Department may
be called upon for other emergencies. In such cases, the Chief will exercise due caution to
ensure that basic fire protection services are not neglected. In the interest of public safety and
community relations, and to keep duty personnel alert, the Fire Department will respond to an
emergency call, other than fire, when so directed by the Chief or officer in charge of the Depart-
ment at his discretion, at the time such a call is received.
Article 12. Interference With Department. It shall be unlawful for any person to
give or make, or cause to be given or made, an alarm of fire without probable cause, or to
neglect or refuse to obey any reasonable order of the Chief at a fire, or interference with the
Fire Department in the discharge of its duties. Any person convicted of violating this section
shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and shall. be punished by a fine of not less than $25.00
nor more than $50.00 and costs.
Dated: May 21, 1956
Approved: Io Cz
Mayor, Village of Mendota heights