FIRE DEPARTMENT ORDINANCE OF WHITING
Section 1. Title.
This ordinance shall be known as the Fire Department Ordinance of Whiting.
Section 2. Purpose.
The purpose of this ordinance is to establish a Municipal Fire Department, and to define the powers and duties of the chief and members of the Department. An additional purpose to this ordinance is to provide the maximum legal protection available to the Fire Chief and municipal firefighters, and to best protect the health, safety and welfare of the residents of Whiting.
Section 3. Establishment
Pursuant to Art. VIII, pt. 2, § 1 of the Maine Constitution, 30-A M.R.S.A. § 3001 and §3153 et seq., the municipality of Whiting hereby establishes a Municipal Fire Department.
Section 4. Definitions.
Municipal Fire Department: the organized firefighting unit established pursuant to this ordinance.
Municipal Fire Fighter: an active member, whether full-time, part-time, or on call of the municipal fire department, who aids in the extinguishment of fires or an individual that receives compensation from the municipality for aiding in the extinguishment of fires and is at least 18 years of age.
Section 5. Duties.
The Municipal Fire Department shall prevent and extinguish fires and provide firefighting protection within the municipality of Whiting and elsewhere as provided by mutual aid or other contractual agreements approved by the municipal officers or municipal legislative body.
Section 6. Fire Chief.
- The Fire Chief shall be elected by the fire department subject to the approval of the municipal officers for a term of one (1) year.
- The Fire Chief’s compensation shall be established by the municipal officers.
- Powers and duties. The Fire Chief shall have the powers and duties set forth in 30-A M.R.S.A. §3153, except that administrative rules and regulations promulgated by the Fire Chief shall not be effective until approved by the municipal officers.
- The Fire Chief shall submit a written monthly report on the activities of the Department and shall discharge such other duties as may be required by the municipal officers.
Section 7. Firefighters.
Municipal firefighters shall have the powers and duties set forth in 30-A MRSA §3151 et seq., and as set forth in any administrative rules and regulations adopted pursuant to section 6 (C) above.
Section 8. Deputy Fire Chief.
A Deputy Fire Chief shall be appointed by the Fire Chief, to act with full authority in the absence of the Fire Chief and shall have responsibilities as set forth in any administrative rules and regulations adopted pursuant to section 6 (C) above.
Section 9. Other officers
The Fire Chief may appoint other officers as deemed necessary.
Section 10. Severability
The invalidity of any portion of this ordinance shall not invalidate any other part thereof.
Section 11. Effective Date.
This ordinance shall be effective upon its adoption by the municipal legislative body.
Adopted by Special Town Meeting December 2, 2019