The fire department of the city is hereby established. The fire chief, assistant fire chief, captains, and members of said fire department shall be appointed by the mayor and confirmed by the city council in the same manner as other officers and employees are appointed.

(Ord. 489, Sec. 1; Code 2007)

The fire department shall consist of such members as deemed necessary by the fire chief, but not to exceed thirty-two (32) members in total. Six (6) of these thirty-two members may be rural residents, who must work within a three mile radius of Solomon, or reside in the Lincoln Township area. Each member shall be trained and serve as either a firefighter or first responder, or both, as determined by the fire chief.

(Ord. 508, Code 2007)

Each member of the department shall receive the following fees for service as a member of the department:

(a)   For attendance at practice and drill, or for answering each fire alarm, the sum of $12.00.

(b)   For answering each fire alarm and first responder call, the sum of $12.00.

(c)   Fire Chief and Assistant Fire Chief - As directed by the City Council

(d)   Captains will receive an additional $12.00 per month while holding the position of Captain.

(Code 2007)

The chief of the fire department shall be under the supervision of the mayor and shall have immediate superintendency and control over, and be responsible for the care and condition of the fire and first responder apparatus and equipment. It shall be his duty to see that all such apparatus and equipment is ready at all times for immediate use in case of a fire alarm or first responder call. The chief of the department shall submit an annual report in writing of the condition and operation of the fire department to the governing body.

(Ord. 489, Sec. 4; Code 2007)

(a)   The fire chief 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 or for misconduct or failure to do his or her duty at a fire or first responder call.

(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)   At fires the chief 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. 489, Sec. 5; Code 2007)

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.

(Code 2007)

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

(Ord. 489, Sec. 6; Code 2007)

There shall be five (5) captains, consisting of three (3) fire captains, one (1) training officer, and one (1) first responder captain. The captains shall be subject to the direction of the fire chief and the assistant fire chief.

(Code 2007)

It shall be the duty of all members of the fire department to attend any fire alarm, first response call or practice drill in accordance with the regulations of the department and at the direction of superior officers. Any subordinate officer, firefighter or first responder who refuses or neglects to attend any fire alarm, first responder call or practice drill without submitting an excuse satisfactory to the chief, or who neglects or refuses to obey the orders of his superior officer, or who shall leave a post of duty while at a fire call or drill without the permission of the chief or superior officer may be expelled from the department in accordance with regulations.

(Ord. 489, Sec. 8; Code 2007)

The city shall furnish and supply the fire department with all vehicles, equipment and fire and first responder apparatus as may be deemed expedient for the protection of life and property of the city. It shall furnish suitable room or rooms for the meetings and drills of the department. The chief shall keep a complete inventory of all fire and first responder apparatus and equipment and may include in an annual report recommendations concerning the needs of the department.

(Ord. 489, Sec. 10; Code 2007)

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. The chief is to make a report in writing of any misuse and disciplinary action. Such report shall be provided to the mayor and city council.

(Ord. 444; Code 1991, 6-107)

(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 each departmental member assigned to the operation of emergency vehicles shall familiarize himself or herself with the requirements of the law and govern himself or herself accordingly. Any operator violating the provisions of the state law shall be liable for disciplinary action.

(Ord. 444; Code 1991, 6-108)

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. 444; Code 1991, 6-109)

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. 444; Code 1991, 6-110)

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. 444; Code 1991, 6-111)