FIRE PREVENTION AND PROTECTION
SECTION I: FIRE DEPARTMENT
1.1 Short Title
This Ordinance shall be known as the “Fire Department Ordinance” and will be referred to herein as “this Ordinance.”
1.2 Purpose
The purpose of this Ordinance is to provide administrative authority and structure for the fire fighting, rescue and prevention function for the Town of Mount Desert.
1.3 Authority
This ordinance is adopted pursuant to Title 30-A M.R.S.A., Section 3151 to 3155.
1.4 Organization
1. The Fire Department shall consist of the Fire Chief and a sufficient number of municipal firefighters (volunteers, part-time, or full-time) to maintain and operate the department. In accordance with the Town Charter, the Fire Chief shall be appointed annually, and the Fire Chief shall appoint the assistant chiefs and other officers.
A. A municipal fire fighter shall be a Town employee who is an active full time, part-time, or on-call member of the Fire Department who aids in the extinguishing of fires, fire prevention, and water and mountain rescue, and other related emergency services.
B. The Fire Chief, in consultation with the assistant chief and other officers of the Fire Department, shall appoint all municipal fire firefighters for the Fire Department.
2. The Fire Chief may, from time to time adopt and amend, offer guidelines and policies for the Fire Department, subject to the approval of the Town Manager.
3. Monthly drills shall be held by the Fire Department.
1.
SECTION 2: POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE FIRE CHIEF
2.1 The Fire Chief shall and hereby is authorized to:
1. Direct and control all municipal firefighters, and rescue personnel in the performance of Fire Department operations within the Town of Mount Desert.
2. Provide a training program for the municipal firefighters and rescue personnel of the Town of Mount Desert in cooperation with appropriate governmental agencies. Training shall be identified in standard operating guidelines adopted by the Fire Chief with the approval of the Town Manager.
3. Inspect or cause to be inspected all fire trucks and other equipment to ensure it is in proper condition. Report monthly to the Town Manager concerning the condition of all equipment.
4. The Fire Chief or his designated agent shall have authority to enter any and all public buildings at a reasonable time for the purposes of fire inspection and to ensure compliance with National Fire Protection Association 101 Life Safety Code.
5. Investigate the cause of fires and keep records of his findings as to origin, location, owner, extent of damage or injuries and amount of insurance carried.
6. Provide for the maintenance of all Town owned fire/rescue equipment and facilities used by the Fire Department and develop specifications for the purchase of new or replacement fire apparatus.
7. Obtain assistance from persons at the scene of a fire to extinguish the fire and protect persons and property from injury.
8. Pull down and demolish structures and appurtenances if he/she judges it necessary to prevent the spread of fire.
9. Suppress disorder and tumult at the scene of a fire and, generally to direct all operations to prevent further destruction and damage.
10. Prepare and submit annually to the Town Manager a budget relating to fire protection activities.
SECTION 2: POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE FIRE CHIEF (continued)
11. Appoint a Deputy Fire Chief with such duties as the Fire Chief may designate.
12. Employ all municipal firefighters and remove any municipal firefighter as an employee or officer of the Fire Department, for cause after notice and hearing.
SECTION 3: ADMINISTRATIVE REGULATIONS
3.1 With the approval of the Board of Selectman, the Fire Chief may adopt administrative regulations relating to municipal fire protection, consistent with Title 30-A M.R.S.A., Section 3153 (3)(B) and consistent with this ordinance.
SECTION 4: MUTUAL AID
4.1 The Selectmen may authorize from time to time agreements which will authorize the Fire Department to aid in extinguishing fires, providing search and rescue services, and related fire safety services, and provide other emergency related services, in other municipalities. All such agreements are hereby approved and ratified.
Effective this 8th day of March 2001
Enacted Annual Town Meeting March 2001 and effective until Annual Town Meeting March 2016.
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