ARTICLE 1. FIRE DEPARTMENT
That there be and hereby is established a fire department of the City of West Plains, Kansas, to consist of a chief, an assistant chief, and not less than 10 nor more than 15 men per company, who shall be appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by the Councilmen. There shall be a total of two companies as follows: one city and one rural.
(Ord. 379; Code 2013)
That members of the fire department shall be volunteers. They shall meet at least once each month for practice and drill. The chief shall keep a record of attendance of such meetings. Any member who shall fail to attend 6 consecutive meetings shall automatically become expelled from membership. The chief shall receive the sum of $2.00 and the other members of the department shall receive the sum of $2.00 for attendance at fires.
(Ord. 379; Code 2013)
The chief of the fire department shall be under the supervision of the Mayor and shall have superintendency and control over and be responsible for the care and condition of the fire apparatus and equipment, and it shall be his duty to see that all such apparatus and equipment shall be at all times ready for immediate use, and shall submit a written report as to its condition to the mayor and Council at their first meeting in October.
(Ord. 379; Code 2013)
(a) The chief of the fire department shall be responsible for the discipline of members and is hereby given the authority to suspend or expel any member for the refusal to obey orders, or for misconduct or failure to do his duty at a fire.
(b) The chief 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) The chief of the fire department shall have full power, control and command over all persons whomsoever present at fires, and he shall direct the use of all fire apparatus and equipment, and command all firemen in the discharge of their duties. He shall take such measures as he may deem necessary in the preservation and protection of property and the extinguishing of fires.
(Ord. 379; Code 2013)
The chief of the fire department 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, loss on building and contents, insurance on building and contents, members responding to the alarm, and any other information deemed advisable.
(Ord. 379; Code 2013)
It shall be the duty of the chief of the fire department to adopt all prudent measures for the prevention of fires and for this purpose he or his assistant under his direction may, upon request or whenever he has reason to believe that the safety of life and property demands it, and as often as he may deem necessary, enter any building, yard or premises in the city during reasonable hours for the purpose of inspection, and where dangerous, unsafe or hazardous conditions are found to exist he shall give such directions for the alternation, change or removal or better care or management of the same as he may deem proper, and such directions shall be obeyed and complied with by the person directed in that regard and at their expense.
(Ord. 379; Code 2013)
In the absence of the chief, the assistant chief shall perform all the duties and have all the authority and responsibility of the chief as conferred by this article.
(Ord. 379; Code 2013)
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 said city while enroute to fires or in response to any alarm of fire, and no person or persons shall in any manner obstruct or hinder said apparatus as aforesaid stated.
(Ord. 379; Code 2013)
It shall be unlawful for any person or persons to drive any wagon, carriage, automobile, truck, locomotive, railroad car or any other vehicle over any fire hose laid in any street, avenue, alley, bridge or vacant lot. Provided, that this section shall not apply to any apparatus or vehicle belonging to the fire department.
(Ord. 379; Code 2013)
No person shall place or cause to be placed upon or about any fire hydrant any rubbish, building material, fence or other obstruction of any character whatsoever, in any manner to obstruct, hinder, or delay the fire department in the performance of its duties in case of fire. Nor shall any person hitch or cause to be hitched to any fire hydrant, any animal or animals, nor fasten to same any guy rope or brace, nor back or stand any wagon, truck, automobile or other vehicle within 15 feet of any such hydrant.
(Ord. 379; Code 2013)
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. 379; Code 2013)
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 ordinance used in any way by the fire department.