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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-16Ordinance 2007-16 Ordinance Adopting Updated by-laws for Pulaski Volunteer Fire Department • Adopted: June 5, 2007 Effective: June 5, 2007 . ~ r1 LJ .f ORDINANCE 2007-16 ORDINANCE ADOPTING UPDATED BY-LAWS FOR PULASHI VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT C, WHEREAS, the Town Council of the Town of Pulaski has considered the benefits to the Pulaski Volunteer Fire Department of updating its By-Laws to enable an efficient and effective Fire Department with current procedures and further deeming same to be consistent with the health, safety and welfare of its citizens; and NOW THEREFORE, in accordance with §42-34 of the Pulaski Code of Ordinances, the Town Council of the Town of Pulaski does hereby adopt the attached By-Laws labeled as Exhibit A of the Pulaski Volunteer Fire Department as if expressly set forth herein. This Ordinance is effective upon adoption and is hereby adopted this 5th day of June 2007 by the duly recorded vote of the Town Council of the Town of Pulaski, Virginia as follows: Jeffrey S. Worrell -Aye Dan Talbert, Jr. -Aye Lane R. Penn -Aye Joel B. Burchett, Jr. -Aye David L. Clark -Aye Larry G. Clevinger, II -Aye THE TOWN OF PULASKI, VIRGINIA By: Charles L. Wade, Mayor ATTEST: Patricia Cruise, Clerk of Council ` ~"' EXHIBIT A By-Laws Pulaski Volunteer Fire Department Article 1 Title and Object Section 1. This Company shall be called the Pulaski Volunteer Fire Department located in Town of Pulaski Virginia. Working under and governed by Chapter 2 Title 27 1950 Code of Virginia as amended, subject to approval by The Town of Pulaski Town Council. Its object shall be the preservation and protection of Life and Property from Fire and other Hazardous circumstances as needed or called upon, in The Town of Pulaski and certain areas of Pulaski County. Mutual Aid shall be provided to other area Fire Departments, upon request, at the discretion of The Fire Chief or Officer in Charge. Article 2 Meetings Section 1. Monthly Meetings. This Company shall meet once each month on the first Tuesday of each month to conduct Company business. Reminders of each meeting shall be sent by radio pagers or phone call. A proper order of business shall be followed by the president at each meeting. Section 2.Order of Business. The following shall be the order of business; Call to Order Prayer Roll Call Reading and Approval of Minutes of previous meeting. Communications and Bills. (Approval to pay Bills) Treasurers Report. Election of Officers (June meeting of each year.) Committee Reports Old Business New Business Remarks for The good of The Department Reading of Minutes Adjournment Section 3. Special Meetings. Special meetings may be called or the meeting date changed by a majority vote of active members or by The President. Members must have a minimum of three days notice of any called special meeting. • ~ ~ ~ ~A~ • Section 4.Ouorum. A majority of active members present, in person, at any meeting shall be a Quorum. If, however, such a quorum shall not be present at any meeting of the members, the members entitled to vote thereat, present in person, shall have the power to adjourn the meeting to a future date at which a quorum shall be present. At such adjourned meeting, any business may be transacted which might have been transacted at the meeting as originally called. Section 5. Voting. An active member is entitled to vote at such meeting in person only. No voting by proxy is permitted. Life and Retired members are permitted to attend meetings but are not permitted to vote. Except as otherwise provided by law or Articles of Incorporation, every active member shall be entitled to one vote. Except as herein or in the Articles of Incorporation otherwise provided, all Company action shall be determined by majority vote of active members present. This provision is subject to Article 4, section 3 of these By-Laws. Article 3 Membership Section 1. Number of Members. The active membership of the company shall consist of a minimum of 20, but not more than 40 active members. Section 2. Selection of Members. Any citizen of at least 16 years of age may apply for membership. Members applying that are under 18 years of age are considered Junior Members by Town Ordinance and are subject to the Junior Member membership rules adopted by the membership and approved by counsel. Junior membership requires parent or guardian written approval or consent. (See Junior Membership Rules). Any person applies for membership by submitting an application to The Fire Chief. Prospective members are expected to submit to a background and driving records check. Applicants must posses a valid Virginia Drivers License. Applicants for membership must be of good health. The Company reserves the right to perform a medical evaluation and drug testing, at Company expense, of any current or prospective member. Only the Fire Chief or his designee shall have the authority to select and install active Company members. Section 3. Membershiu Rules. The Fire Chief or his designee shall have the authority to set and enforce rules and SOPS (Standard Operating Procedures) for adult active and junior members of the company. The Fire Chief or his designee shall have the authority to enforce all membership rules and SOPs up to and including termination of membership. Any member may resign verbally or in writing at any time. Such resignations may only be accepted by The Fire Chief or his designee. See attached adult active and junior membership rules. Members must be in compliance with these rules to be in good standing. (See membership rules.) Section 4. Financial Reimbursement. Active members of the Company shall receive financial reimbursement for the performance of their duties, at a rate set by town council. Section 5. Years service. Members resigning in good standing may return to membership within 30 days, subject to The approval of The Fire Chief or his designee without losing company seniority and will be considered to have continuous service. L~ ! ~ e Section 6. Retirement. Any member in good standing with at least 15 years of continuous service may retire from the company. Retiring members shall turn in or return all company issued equipment in good condition. This member will be recorded as a retired member of the company. A retired member is eligible to return to social functions of the company and shall have their name displayed on the deceased plaque, at the station, upon their death. Section 7. Life membership. Any member in good standing with at least 20 years of continuous service is eligible to retire as a life member of the company. Retiring as a life member is not mandatory. Members with 20 years service may continue as active members subject to the membership rules. A retired life member shall receive a life member vehicle tag and a free town or county vehicle decal if required until deceased. Retired life members shall also be considered retired as written in Section 6 of this Article. Section 8. Leave of absence. Any member in good standing with a minimum of three years continuous service may request a leave of absence, of up to six months, from The Fire Chief or his designee. Leave requests will be considered or decided by The Fire Chief or his designee on a case by case basis. It is generally understood that reasons for a leave of absence will be for personal or family medical issues. Upon being granted a leave the member must return all company equipment in good condition and will be removed from the membership rolls. Members that are eligible may retire and/or become a life member while on leave. An approved leave of absence will count as time served and will not interrupt continuous service. Should the six month time period expire with no contact, the member will be dismissed. • Article 4 Officers Section 1. Election of Administrative Officers. The membership shall elect each year a President, Vice President, Secretary/Treasurer and Chaplain. These officers shall be elected for a twelve month period and shall be elected at the regularly scheduled business meeting in the month of June of each year. Section 2. Duties of Administrative Officers. President A. The president shall preside at all meetings of the company and may appoint such committees as he deems necessary for the proper conduct of business. B. He shall cause to be called regular and special meetings of the members. C. He shall see that all books, reports and statements are properly kept and filed as required by law. Vice President. A. During the absence or incapacity of the president, the vice president shall perform the duties of the president, and when so acting, shall have all the powers and be subject to all responsibilities of the office of president. • '. ..` C~ • Secretary/treasurer A. The secretary/treasurer shall take and keep the minutes of the meetings in appropriate books. He shall be custodian of the business records of the company. He shall keep a record of names of all current members for purposes of roll call and make a roll call and note those members present at each meeting. B. He shall make available records for inspection during usual business hours within limits prescribed by law, for any person duly authorized to inspect such records. At the request of such authorized person, he shall prepare and make available a current list of company officers and respective resident addresses. C. He shall attend to all correspondence and present to the membership, at its meetings, all official communications received by him. D. The treasurer or his designee shall have the care and custody of and be responsible for all the funds of the company, and shall deposit or see to the deposit of such funds in the name of the company in such banks as the membership may designate. E. The Secretary/Treasurer and Fire Chief shall make, sign and endorse in the name of the company all checks, drafts, notes, and other orders for payment of money, and pay out and dispose of such under the directions of the membership. Both the signature of the Secretary/T'reasurer and Fire Chief shall be required to expend or obligate company funds. F. He or his designee shall keep accurate books of account of all the company business and transactions and shall upon request exhibit books and accounts to any member. He shall render a report of the condition of the finances of the company at each regular meeting of the company and at such other times as shall be required of him. Chaplain A. The chaplain shall be the spiritual leader of the company. B. He may lead memorials at the death or illness of current or past members upon request. Section 3. Fire Chief. The Fire Chief as employed by the Town of Pulaski shall have the authority in his sole discretion to over rule or change decisions that were approved by the membership based on whether the decision was or is in the best interest of The Town of Pulaski. The Fire Chief .shall be, by Town Code, in overall command of The Fire Department. Section 4. Assistant Fire Chief. The Assistant Fire Chief as employed by The Town of Pulaski shall perform the duties and have the authority of The Fire Chief in his absence or incapacity. Section 5. Line or Operational Officers. Line or Operational officers of this company and the number there of shall be determined and appointed by The Fire Chief or his designee. These ranks shall be generally considered but not limited to Captains, Lieutenants and Sergeants. Section 6.Office Vacancies. All vacancies in any administrative office shall be filled promptly by the membership, either at regular meetings or at meetings specially called for that purpose. • ~ • 4 Article 5 Offices The principal offices of the company shall be maintained in The Main Fire Station in The Town of Pulaski, State of Virginia. Article 6 Amendment of these By -Laws These by -laws may be altered, amended, repealed, or added to by the affirmative vote of the majority of active members and by affirmative vote of the majority of The Town Council of The Town of Pulaski. Members must be notified at their regular monthly meeting of the intent to alter, amend, repeal or add to these by -laws before voting on the change at the next regularly scheduled meeting. Article 7 Waiver of Notice Whenever under the provisions of these by -laws or any statue any member is entitled to notice of any regular or special meeting or any action to be taken by the company, such meeting may be held or such action may be taken without the giving of such notice, provided a majority of active • members entitled to notice waives the requirements of these by- laws in respect there to. Approved by membership at the regular business meeting on May 1, 2007. • I, Patricia Cruise, Clerk of Council, certify that the forgoing Ordinance 2007-16 Ordinance Adopting Updated by-laws for Pulaski Volunteer Fire Department is a true and correct copy as adopted by the Pulaski Town Council at their regular meeting on sane 5, 2007. • Patricia Cruise, Clerk of Council TCic/ordinancelcertification 2007-16 •