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Constitution and Bylaws Updated – November 7, 2007 |
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CONSTITUTION
TOWN OF
ARTICLE 1: TITLE
This department shall be known as the Town of
The Town of Watertown Fire Department Board of Fire Commissioners shall
determine the number of members from outside the Town of
ARTICLE 2: PURPOSE
This department is an organization of volunteers for the purpose of
fighting fires, saving lives, property, and the environment.
ARTICLE 3: OFFICERS
SECTION ONE
The officers of this department shall be: Chief, First Assistant Chief,
Second Assistant Chief, Third Assistant Chief, Captains, Lieutenants, President,
Secretary, Treasurer, Training Officer and Safety Officer. These officers are to be elected at each
annual meeting for a term of one (1) year, with the exception of the Training
Officer, Safety officer and President, who will be appointed by the Chief. The training officer and safety officer then
shall choose an assistant, with the approval of the Chief. In the event the Chief or any Assistant Chief
becomes unable to fulfill his/her duties, then there will be an automatic
progression up to the next position, of all Chief officers. If the Third Assistant Chief, Secretary, or
Treasurer become unable to fulfill his/her duties for
the year elected, the Executive Committee will appoint a member from those
eligible from general membership to fulfill those duties until the next
election. If the President, Training Officer
or Safety officer should become unable to fulfill his/her duties, for the year
appointed, the Chief will be empowered to appoint another. The duties
of Assistant Chief shall be as follows:
1) Oversee Captains and firematic equipment of
assigned stations and ensure truck maintenance reports are completed. 2) Each Assistant must conduct 1 training
session per year. 3) Attend 75% of all
Executive Committee meetings and 3 Commissioners meetings per year (excluding
regular employment, illness or Fire/EMS schooling, or at the discretion of the
chief). 4) Assist Chief in office
duties, including; signing purchase orders, inspecting Fire District bills,
inspecting SCBA and generator log books, and oversee
apparatus maintenance and repairs.
SECTION TWO
The Executive Committee will consist of the Chief, First Assistant Chief,
Second Assistant Chief, Third Assistant Chief, President, Secretary, Treasurer,
Training Officer, Safety Officer, all Captains, all Lieutenants and one
delegate from the Town of Watertown Board of Fire Commissioners.
SECTION THREE
The Chief shall: preside, or shall have the power to appoint a junior
officer, or if a junior officer is not present, a member to preside in their
stead, at all meetings of this department; preserve order; appoint all
committees that are not otherwise appointed; and must, at the written request
of seven members, call extra meetings, vote on all questions, have charge of
all parades, have authority to excuse members from meetings while in session, and
perform all other acts and duties necessary for the good of the department, not
otherwise provided for herein.
SECTION FOUR
The First Assistant Chief shall, at the request of the Chief, or in his
absence, fulfill the above duties.
He/she shall oversee the completion and filing of NYS
Incident Reports. He/she shall assist the Chief in
performing his/her duties and shall complete a NYS
officers' training course within one year.
SECTION FIVE
The Second Assistant Chief shall, at the request of the Chief, or in the
absence of the Chief or First Assistant Chief, fulfill the above duties. He/she shall conduct inventory and inspection
of all District owned turn-out gear annually. He/she shall assist the
Chief in performing his/her duties and shall complete a NYS
officers' training course within one year.
SECTION SIX
The Third Assistant Chief shall, at the request of the Chief, or in the
absence of the Chief, First Assistant Chief, or Second Assistant Chief, fulfill
the above duties. He/she shall oversee training
and oversee members on probation. He/she
shall assist the Chief in performing his/her duties and shall complete a NYS officers' training course within one year.
SECTION SEVEN
The President shall appoint all committees and may serve as a member of
same unless otherwise provided under these bylaws. He/She shall enforce the observance of the
Constitution and Bylaws, submit a report at the Annual
meeting of the condition of the organization and include such recommendations
as he/she deems expedient to the good and welfare of the organization. He/she shall abstain (when presiding over the
meetings) from any vote of the organization other than in the election of
officers and members except in the case of an equal division of votes and then
his/her vote shall decide the issue.
He/she shall appoint a member to the position of Chaplain of the Town of
Watertown Fire Department, Inc., at the Annual Meeting of the department. If this member is a recognized member of the
clergy, the said member can be exempted from fulfilling the duty requirements
of an active member by vote of the general membership. The President shall serve as manager of all
property of the organization, keep an accurate record of same, and assure that NO PROPERTY of the organization is removed
from its place of use or storage unless he/she, or the
Chief has given permission for such removal.
SECTION EIGHT
The Secretary shall record the minutes of the meeting of the Executive
Committee and of the General Membership meetings. He/she shall notify all members of special
meetings, of Bylaw and Constitution changes, record all incidents as reported
by the Chief, and keep an up-to-date list of members both active and inactive.
SECTION NINE
The Treasurer shall be responsible for all monies paid into this
Department and keep an accurate accounting of the same. He/she shall report to the Executive
Committee and General Membership monthly as to monies owed, received, and on
hand. He/she shall be bonded.
SECTION TEN
The Safety Officer shall assist all officers in the instruction of proper
operation of all Department equipment, excluding the Ambulance Squad.
SECTION ELEVEN
The Training Officer shall oversee all department training, excluding the
Ambulance Squad.
SECTION TWELVE
The Chief shall have charge of all equipment owned by or in the care of
the Department. He/she will, with the
assistance of his/her junior officers, be in charge of all incidents, have full
supervision of all members, and report to the Executive Committee, any member
showing disrespect or disobedience at the time of any incident, function, or
any other action unbecoming to the Department, and will suspend any member who
refuses to perform his/her duties, or who is engaging in acts detrimental to
the Department. Such suspension is to be
reviewed by the Executive Committee at its next regular meeting, and then
referred to the General Membership for action.
SECTION THIRTEEN
Captains for this department will be elected by the entire fire
department for a term of one year. To be
eligible for election one must meet the following minimum requirements:
·
Having
successfully served at least two years in this department
·
Have met
attendance requirements as per the constitution and bylaws
·
Successfully
completed the
·
Be
department qualified on the equipment
·
Have
completed or complete a
Engines- Pump operations
Tankers- Pump operations
Ladder- Ladder operations
Rescue- Rescue operations or Auto extrication
Their duties will be to assist the Chief, assistant Chiefs, or designated
officers at the time of fires, incidents, and department functions. They will be in charge of incidents, as
explained under the incident command system, until a Chief arrives. Captains will notify their members of
meetings and other department functions at the request of the Chief. He/she will report to a Chief officer any member showing disrespect, disobedience or a
life safety violation at the time of any incident or function. Each Captain, with the Chief's approval, may
appoint a lieutenant to assist in performing his/her duties. Captains shall also be required to:
·
Complete and
submit to record keeping monthly truck reports.
·
Conduct one
training session per year.
·
Complete an
annual inventory of his/her truck as directed by the Chief.
·
After every
major incident verify equipment is in service or document necessary repairs.
·
Attend at
least 75% of all executive committee meetings (excluding regular employment,
illness or department schooling).
·
Train,
document and recommend to the chief, new members for certification to operate
the vehicle and equipment the Captain is responsible for.
·
Operate as a
firematic officer under the Incident Command System.
Prior to the annual election of officers, a report of each captain’s
adherence of the above requirements will be presented to the general
membership.
SECTION FOURTEEN
The Ambulance Squad will be attached to this Department. The Ambulance Squad will be governed by this
Constitution and Bylaws, as well as their own
Constitution and Bylaws.
SECTION FIFTEEN
A Firefighter shall not be eligible for election as Assistant Chief,
until he/she has served at least one year as captain. A member shall not be eligible to be elected
Chief until he/she has served a minimum of two years as an Assistant Chief.
ARTICLE 4: COMMITTEES
SECTION ONE
The Executive Committee shall meet at least once before each general
membership meeting. This meeting will
make recommendations for constitutional changes before the regular general
membership meetings. These changes can
only be acted on by the general membership.
The Executive Committee will act upon all disciplinary measures prior to
the general membership meeting and make recommendations as to what actions may
be taken. At no time, may this committee
make a decision and invoke it without the approval of the general membership,
unless otherwise indicated in the Constitution.
They shall review membership applications, investigate completely, and
recommend approval or disapproval to the general membership.
SECTION TWO
The Nominating Committee shall be selected by the President and must have
one member who was a past officer.
Recommendations from this committee must be for one man/woman for each
elected office only.
SECTION THREE
Other Committees to be established as needed.
ARTICLE 5: MEMBERS (Introduction)
Goal: To develop a dynamic and active membership that allows each person to
provide service to the department and community to the best of their ability, meeting the mission and goals of the department and the personal goals of the member.
Structure: There will be five categories of active membership in the department.
These categories will be based upon the training requirements set forth by the department, advisory and oversight agencies and legal requirements. Members are encouraged to select the membership category which best suits their goals, physical ability, training, personal time commitment and development objectives. During the course of a career with the department, it is expected that members will move between categories depending upon their personal circumstances.
The Executive Committee will review written requests from members who wish to be reassigned to a different membership category and approve such reassignment by majority vote. The Executive Committee reserves the right to meet with members who request such reassignment in order to assess their request and ensure that mutual needs are met.
Application: The membership application process will follow existing protocols.
Probation: All newly appointed members of the department will be on a probationary
status for at least 12 months, commencing on the date that they have been accepted into the department.
Probationary members are not granted voting privileges.
Probationary members will be expected to meet all membership
participation and training requirements for their membership category during the probationary period.
Probationary members will not accept any assignment, duty or work detail
nor perform any function, whether at an emergency scene or otherwise, which they have not been properly trained to perform.
The Executive Board will periodically review the training and participation of the probationary member at the Executive Board Meetings. Those members that have not yet achieved the training and/or participation as necessary for their assigned category will meet with the Executive Board to assess their development goals. The Executive Board will determine, by majority vote, if the probationary member should be reassigned to a different membership category of which they have been properly trained and participated for, if the probationary period should be extended for a period of six months or if the member should be discharged from the department.
In situations where the probationary period has been extended, the Executive Board review process will be repeated at the Executive Board Meeting of the month that the probation extension ends.
Voting: All members, regardless of category, will be given full voting privileges
following the successful completion of their probationary period.
Membership Categories:
Active
Firefighter- Fully trained and active in fire suppression and rescue
activities.
Scene Support- Trained in on-scene support operations (i.e. driving,
pumps, ladder placement, hose assistance, accountability, traffic
and water supply).
EMS - Certified
training.
Station Member- Non-emergency responder who provides administrative
support and minimal on-scene support (i.e. work details, food prep,
fund raising, committees and assist during major incidents).
Junior Firefighter- Junior
firefighters must be at least 16 years old but not
older than 18 years old.
Active Deployed Military
Inactive
Inactive Medical
Active Reserve
Life
Honorary
Probationary
SECTION ONE - ACTIVE
MEMBERS
a. Firefighter
Initial Training
Requirements (complete w/in 1 yr. of appointment):
Participation in a 2-hour in-service on department procedures (SOGs and
protocols)
Firefighter 1
ICS (Incident Command System -based upon National Incident
Management System) 100
EVOC (Emergency Vehicle Operator's Course) - OFPC (NYS Office of
Fire Prevention & Control-complete prior to driving apparatus)
Annual
requirements:
8 hours of firefighting training (departmental, OFPC or NFA (National
8 hours of firefighting training which meets OSHA (Occupational
Health & Safety Administration-while NYS public employees are governed by NYS Public Employees Safety & Health under the NYS Department of Labor, national fire standards and literature references OSHA, which PESH is based upon. To ensure a clear understanding, OSHA will be the referenced oversight agency for this Standard Operating Guideline).
Categorical requirements (Reference TWFD Training Program Standard
Operating Guideline)
Physical Exam by Medical Doctor, Nurse Practitioner or Physician's
Assistant
Bi-annual Pulmonary Function Test and mask-appropriate Fit Test
Response to at least 10% of alarms
Attendance or approved absence from at least 75% of General
Membership Meetings
Active participation on one committee (active participation on a
committee means attendance at no less than 50% of committee meetings
Participation at two fund raising events
Continuing Training
Requirements:
ICS 200 (Instructed by NYS Emergency Management Office, NYSEMO
Certified Instructor or OFPC) or OFPC ICS Course (complete w/in 3 years of appointment)
EVOC - OFPC or department approved insurance company course
(every 5 years)
Promotional to:
Lieutenant, Captain, Assistant Chief or Chief per guidelines for each
position
b.
Initial Training
Requirements (complete w/in 1 yr. of appointment):
Participation in a 2-hour in-service on department procedures, SOGs and
protocols
Advanced or Paramedic)
ICS 100
OSHA Training as required by NYS DOH
EVOC - OFPC (complete prior to driving apparatus) and, annual
requirements.
Annual Training
Requirements:
Must maintain an
Units as delineated by the NYS DOH
8 hours of emergency responder training (departmental, OFPC or NFA)
OSHA Training as required by NYS DOH
Physical Exam by Medical Doctor, Nurse Practitioner or Physician's
Assistant
Assigned PPE (as determined by the EMS Clinical Director)
Fit Test
Response to at least 10% of calls
Attendance or approved absence from at least 75% of General
Membership Meetings
Attendance or approved absence from at least 75% of Ambulance
Meetings
Active participation on one committee
Participation at two fund raising events
Continuing Training
Requirements:
ICS 200 or OFPC ICS Course (complete w/in 3 years of appointment)
EVOC - OFPC or department approved insurance company course (every
5 years)
Promotional to:
EMS Captain per guidelines for position.
c. Scene Support Operations (SSO)
Initial Training Requirements (complete w/in 1 yr. of appointment):
Participation in a 2-hour in-service on department procedures, SOGs and
protocols
Scene Support Operations Course
ICS 100
Training to the level of expected performance
Annual
Requirements:
8 hours of emergency responder training (departmental, OFPC, NYSEMO
or NFA)
2 hours of OSHA Station House Safety and Scene Safety training
Physical Exam by Medical Doctor, Nurse Practitioner or Physician's
Assistant
PPE Fit Test as determined by the Chief Officers
Response to at least 10% of alarms
Attendance or approved absence from at least 75% of General
Membership Meetings
Active participation on two committees
Participation at 2 fund raising events
Participation at 25% of all scheduled work details.
Continuing Training
Requirements:
EVOC - OFPC (prior to driving apparatus)
ICS 200 or OFPC ICS Course (complete w/in 3 years of appointment)
EVOC - OFPC or department approved insurance company course (every
5 years)
Promotional to:
Lieutenant, Captain, Assistant Chief or Chief per guidelines for each
position.
d. Station
Members
Initial Training
Requirements (complete w/in 1 yr. of appointment):
Participation in a 2-hour in-service on department procedures, SOGs and
Protocols
ICS 100
Training to the level of expected performance
Annual
Requirements:
2 hours of OSHA Station House Safety training and Scene Safety
Attendance or approved absence from at least 75% of General
Membership Meetings
Attendance or approved absence from at least 50% of scheduled work
details
Active participation on at least 3 committees
Participation at 75% of fund raising events
e. Active
Deployed Military
The Town of
To be a member of this department (other than Junior members), a person
shall be at least 18 years of age, and must reside within a five-mile radius of
any one of the Town of
Any active status must
accumulate 40 credits per year, according to the following c
1. For each 10%
non-ambulance only calls 1
credit/month
2. For
each 10% ambulance only calls 1
credit/month
(10% of either non-ambulance or
ambulance calls; or a combination is the minimum call volume)
3.
Attending major incident or alarm (2 hour minimum) 2 credits/incident
4.
Training
4a. OSHA safety training
to the level of expected performance, as determined by
the Executive Committee. 1
credit/hour
4b. Approved department training (8 hours
mandatory) 1 credit/hour
4c.
Department approved course (1-4 hours) 1
credit/course
4d. Department approved
course (5-18 hours) 3
credits/course
4e. Department approved
course (over 18 hours) 5
credits/course
5.
Attending department approved meetings 1
credit/meeting
6a. Work details and other department approved
activity
(lasting up to four
hours) 1
credit/detail
6b. Work details and
other department approved activity
(lasting 4 or more hours) 2
credits/detail
Each member will be evaluated quarterly. If at the end of March a member has 9 or less
credits, a letter will be sent notifying them of their credits and the number
needed by June 30 (which is 20). At the
end of June a member with 19 or less credits will be sent a letter requesting
they meet with the Executive Committee for possible dismissal. A follow-up telephone will be placed by the
President to confirm receipt of the letter.
If at the end of September a member has 29 or
less credits, a letter will be sent notifying them of their credits and the
number needed by December 31 (which is 40).
At the end of December a member with 39 or less credits will be sent a
letter requesting they meet with the Executive Committee for possible
dismissal.
The Executive Committee can recommend dismissal
from the department if a member has less than 20 credits by June 30 or less
than 40 credits by December 31.
[For example, within a year - a member attends 6
department meetings, attends 8 hours of mandated OSHA training and 8 hours of
mandated department training, attends 5 committee meeting, 2 work details, and
responds to 10% of the fire calls; they will have accumulated 41 credits.]
Any member guilty of disorderly conduct or in the
discharge of his/her duties as a firefighter, upon good satisfactory evidence
of the Executive Committee and a three quarters (3/4) vote of the ballots cast
by the members present of the department, shall be dishonorably discharged from
the department. Any member not attending
six meetings of the previous year (excluding regular employment, illness or
Fire/EMS schooling) shall not vote at the Annual Meeting. Any member on probation shall not be allowed
to vote on any department issue. Any
member not attending a meeting must be excused by his/her captain or an officer
of the Department. Each member,
excluding officers, shall serve on one committee per year.
Active members are encouraged to sign up for
"on-call" fire and ambulance.
e. Junior
Firefighters
Junior firefighters must be at
least 16 years old but not older than 18 years old. They must be able to follow directions under
stressful conditions. They should be in
good physical condition to perform essential fire ground tasks. Juniors should be willing and able to attend
at least 50% of scheduled meetings and required training. Special trainings are optional but highly
encouraged. Juniors must maintain a 75%
average or higher in their schoolwork to remain active.
(Please note – the following document does not
supersede TWFD SOG’s. It is an addition to be followed by Jr.
Members.)
Rules and Regulations
- The regular fire
department officers will directly supervise the Junior Fire Department. A committee made up of members of the
regular fire department, assigned by the Chief, to act as the “Junior
Advisors”.
- The Junior Fire
Department shall abide by all federal, state and departmental rules and
regulations.
- All members of
the Junior Fire Department shall meet the minimum standards and must
provide at least 2 references which will be checked prior to initial
interview.
- After the
initial interview by the personnel committee, the junior applicant will be
brought to a vote by the regular fire department membership. If majority members at the business
meeting accept the applicant, then the applicant shall become an official
junior member.
- Junior members
do not have voting privileges within the regular fire department. They may attend meetings, but might be asked to leave
the room while some issues are discussed.
- The Town of
- Dependents of
active fire department personnel are automatically accepted regardless of
the total number of junior members currently on hand.
- All juniors must
complete the department Junior Orientation Program (JOP).
This program includes departmental
procedures, building policies, apparatus orientation and command
structure.
- All fire
department members must recognize rules and regulations that govern minors
and their safety. Junior members
are not permitted to participate in activities that are prohibited. Junior members must recognize when they
have been asked to perform something not appropriate and will report this
to the requesting firefighter and commanding officer.
- Junior members
should not be at the station unsupervised, except during an emergency
call.
- All junior members
must sign in and out of the junior time log sheet at the station every
time they enter the building. NO
EXCEPTIONS!
- Only officers
may talk to the media. All junior
members will refer all questions regarding the fire department to the most
senior officer on the scene. Juniors are expected to represent the
fire department in a positive manner. It is not appropriate to discuss internal
matters of the fire department or talk negatively about other fire
departments.
- Junior members
and their immediate family may use the station by request and approval of
your junior advisor. DO NOT bring
your friends to hang around the fire station. An occasional, small group is permitted
with the approval of your junior advisor.
- Any injuries
occurring during training or a scene call are covered by Worker’s
Compensation Insurance. All
injuries must be reported to the senior officer as soon as practical for
documentation and treatment.
- Alcohol
beverages are NOT allowed on fire department property or functions at any
time.
- Do not respond
to calls or come to the station if you are sick or under the influence of
medication.
The following are guidelines to hours of scene calls. The hours specified by the work permit. Training and hanging out at the station do not
count towards these hours.
HOURS OF OPERATIONS AGE 16
- Maximum 6 days
per week with 30-minute meal period after 4 hours. The beginning of the week is Monday at
6:00 AM.
- No activity
while school is in session. NO
EXCEPTIONS!
- No activity
between 7:00 PM (10:00 PM with note from parent) and 7:00 AM.
- Maximum of 18
hours per school week (Monday through Friday).
- Maximum of 3
hours on school days.
- Maximum of 8
hours total for Saturday and/or Sunday.
- Maximum of 8
hours on school holidays.
- No activity from
10P M and 7 AM during school breaks.
- Maximum of 40
hours per week/8 hours per day.
HOURS OF OPERATIONS AGES
17-18
1. Maximum 6 days per week with 30-minute meal
period after 4 hours. The
beginning of the
week is Monday at 6:00 AM.
2. No activity while school is in session. NO EXCEPTIONS!
3. May attend training and meetings after 7 PM
but must be out of the station by 10
PM.
4. No scene responses between midnight and 6 AM.
5. No scene responses between 1 AM and 6 AM on
weekends and holidays.
6. Calls answered before the deadline MAY
continue to serve the call, but they may
not answer any new calls dispatched after the deadline.
7. Maximum of 28 hours Monday through Friday
while school is in session.
8. Maximum of 8 hours on Saturday.
9. Maximum of 8 hours on Sunday.
10. Maximum daily
hours cannot exceed 8 hours per day.
11. No restrictions
during school breaks.
12. Maximum of 44
hours per week/8 hours per day.
DRIVING OF PERSONAL VEHICLES
1. Only members that are at least 16 years old
and have a valid
license may drive
personal vehicles to the fire station.
2. All juniors must report to the station for all
calls. If all apparatus have responded
prior to your arrival, you must stand-by
at the station until either a senior member
of The Town of Watertown Fire Department
drives them to the scene or wait until
the department
returns from the call to assist in clean-up. Juniors are NOT