AG 2002 09 16 (Regular) - Laserfiche WebLink

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(Ord. of 12-2-85, § 1; Ord. of 4-3-'86, § t; Ord. of 4-7-86, § 1; Ord. of 6- 17-96) Sec. 34-27. Participating departments to file budgets with fire marshal. A fire department desiring financial assistance under this article shall file a budget with the fire marshal of the county by April 1 each year for the following fiscal year. (Ord. of 12-2-85, § 2; Ord. of 4-3-86, § 2; Ord. of 4-7-86, § 2) Sec. 34-28. Inspections of participating fire departments by fire marshal. The county fire marshal shall make regular inspections of each fire department receiving payments under this article. At least one inspection shall be made annually, but the fire marshal may make other such inspections as deemed necessary. During the course of such inspections, the fire marshal shall determine whether the department is continuing to meet the minimum standards as specified in this article, and the findings reported to the Board of commissioners. (Ord. of 12-2-85, § 3; Ord. of 4.3-86, § 3; Ord. of 4-7-86, § 3) Sec. 34-29. Notice of deficiency; time period 'for corrections. If during any inspection the fire marshal determines that the fire department is not meeting the minimum standards as set forth in this article, a notice of deficiency must be given in writing by the fire marshal to the fire chief and at least two officers of the corporation of the fire department. This notice shall specify the period of time within which the deficiencies must be corrected, provided that the length of the ~period of time shall be reasonable and in any event shall not be less than 15 days. At the end of the specified period, an inspection shall be made by the fire marshal to determine if the deficiencies have been corrected. If the deficiencies have not been corrected, the fire marshal shall notify the board of county commissioners, and the monthly payments may cease until such time as the department shall meet the minimum standards of the resolution. (Ord. of 12-2-85, § 4; Ord. of 4-3-86, § 4; Ord. of 4-7=86, § 4) Sec. 34-30. Minimum standards for qualification. Each fire department desiring to qualify for the financial assistance provided for under this article shall meet the following minimum standards: (1} The fire department shall be incorporated as a nonprofit corporation under state law. A copy of the department's charter and current bylaws shall be'on file in the fire marshal's office. (2) Elections of at least a portion of the board of directors for the incorporated fire department shall be held at least every year by the voting membership of the corporation. The voting membership must include but is not limited to either residents of the fire tax district which h~ve registered with the county board of elections and are eligible to vote in a general election, or all resident property owners of the district. (3) No absentee or proxy votes will be allowed, nor shall such election be conducted by mail. (4) Notice of an annual meeting to elect officers shall be given by notice in local newspapers and as prescribed in the department's by-laws, or be a fire department lawfully established by a city, town or sanitary district and operate under the laws and provisions governing such departments. (5) Each fire department shall have a fire chief, an assistant chief, other necessary officers and personnel with a minimum of 19 firefighters who are eligible firemen, in accordance with G.S. 118-38. A list of all members, their addresses, their telephone numbers, and social security numbers must be given to the fire marshal on or before July I of each year and within ten days of the addition of new members. (6) All active members of a fire department in good standing shall have some identification, such as a card, badge or car plate to identify ~hem as a bona fide firefighter. No one other than an active or retired member in good standing shall be allowed to have this identification in his possession. (7) Each fire department shall maintain a class 9 or better rating with the insurance services office and shall have and maintain equipment as required by the state department of insurance for initial certification. These are