Section 1-32. Volunteer Fireman Defined.

1. A volunteer firefighter is one who is enrolled as a member of the Volunteer Fire Department of the town of Tryon and who serves in said capacity without receiving a salary or pay.
2. Any member of the Town of Tryon Volunteer Fire Department must reside within the limits of the Tryon Fire District. Failure to reside within such area shall cause such member to be removed immediately from the membership rolls of the Volunteer Fire Department.
3. All persons shall complete a background investigation prior to membership in the Tryon Volunteer Fire Department. Any person having been convicted of any felony or any offense involving moral turpitude shall not be eligible to serve as a member of the volunteer Fire department.
4. Members of the Tryon Volunteer Fire Department shall be appointed by vote of the remaining members of the Tryon Volunteer Fire Department subject to approval and confirmation by the Board of Trustees of the Town of Tryon.
5. Members of the Tryon Volunteer Fire Department may be removed by the Tryon Board of Trustees for the good of the service or by the members of the Volunteer Fire Department pursuant to the provisions of Title 11, Sections 29-204 of the Oklahoma Statutes.

Section 1-33. Fire Chief.

1. The Chief shall be at the head of the department, subject to the laws of the State of Oklahoma, ordinances of this Town, and the rules and regulations herein adopted.
2. The Chief shall be held responsible for the general condition and efficient operation of the department, the training of members, and the performance of all other duties imposed upon him.
3. The Chief may inspect or cause to be inspected by members of the department, the fire hydrants, cisterns, and other sources of water supply at least twice each year.
4. The Chief shall maintain a library or file of publication on fire prevention and fire Protection, and shall make use of it to the best advantage of all members.
5. The Chief shall make every effort to attend all fires and direct the officers and members in the performance of their duties.
6. The Chief shall ensure that the citizens are kept informed on fire hazards in the community and on the activities of the department.
7. The Chief shall see that each fire is carefully investigated to determine its cause, and in the case of suspicion of incendiarism, shall notify proper authorities, and secure and preserve all possible evidence for future use in the case.

Section 1-34. Assistant Chief.

In the absence of the Chief, the Assistant Chief on duty shall command the department and be held responsible therefor in all respects with the full powers and responsibilities of the Chief.

Section 1-35. Company Officers.

The company officers shall be selected upon their ability to meet the following requirements:

1. Their knowledge of firefighting;
2. Their ability to lead men;
3. Their knowledge of firefighting equipment.

Section 1-36. Secretary-Treasurer.

One (1) member elected by the Fire Department shall be the secretary-treasurer. His duties shall consist of the following:

1. Calling the roll at the opening of each meeting;
2. Keeping the minutes of each meeting;
3. Collecting any money due the department by the members.

Section 1-37. New Members.

1. All new members shall be on probation for one (1) year after their appointment.
2. New volunteer members, upon completion of their probation period, must be approved by the majority of the Fire Department.

Section 1-38. Bylaws.

The bylaws of the department shall include:

1. All volunteer firefighters are required, when notified, to respond to alarms of fire and other emergencies.
2. All volunteer firemen are required to be present at all regular meetings, call meeting and schools presented for the benefit of the firefighters.
3. There shall be at least one (1) regular business meeting each month.
4. Any volunteer firefighter having two (2) unexcused absences in succession or three (G3) unexcused absences in a period of three (3) months will be dropped from the Fire Department rolls.
5. Volunteer firefighters leaving Town for an extended period of time will be required to notify the chief.
6. Any volunteer member of the Fire Department shall be dropped from the rolls for the following offenses:
   1. Conduct unbecoming a firefighter.
   2. Any act of insubordination.
   3. Neglect of duty.
   4. Any violation of rules and regulations governing the Fire department.
   5. Conviction of a felony.

Section 1-39. Chief to Supervise and Control.

The Chief of the Fire Department shall have supervision and control of the Fire Department, subject to the supervision and control of the Board of Trustees. The Chief may assign duties to other members of the department.

Section 1-40. Duties and Regulations of The Department.

1. It shall be the duty of the Fire Department, among others, to extinguish fires; to rescue persons endangered by fire; to resuscitate, and to administer first aid to, persons injured in or about burning structures, or elsewhere in case of an emergency; to promote fire prevention; and unless otherwise provided, to enforce all ordinances relating to fires, fire prevention, and safety of persons from fire in theaters, stores and other public buildings, and to perform fire prevention services for the Town of Tryon.
2. The Chief shall keep the board informed regarding the Fire Department and its needs and shall make such reports as the Board may require.
3. In addition to the duties imposed by law and ordinance, the Fire Department may make fire runs outside the corporate limits of the Town of Tryon. In addition to the foregoing, the Fire Department may make fire runs to rural areas where no contract for fire protection exists if in their judgment it is wise and prudent to do so.
4. The Chief or his designated representative may solicit fire contracts when possible and shall receive for any monies collected for any fire or ambulance service to the Town Clerk.
5. The fee for fire runs outside the corporate limits of the Town of Tryon shall be set by the Board of Trustees.

Section 1-41. Entry of Buildings, Etc.

The Chief is hereby empowered to enter any and all buildings and premises at any reasonable hour for the purpose of making inspections and to serve written notice upon the owner or occupant to abate, within a specified time, any and all fire hazards that may be found. Any person so served with a notice to abate any fire hazard or hazards shall comply therewith and promptly notify the Chief.

Section 1-42. Records and Reports.

The Chief shall see that complete records are kept of all fires. inspections. apparatus and equipment, personnel, and other information about the work of the departments, and shall make such reports as the Board of Trustees may require.

Section 1-43. Chief to Have Charge at Fires, Etc.

The Chief of the Fire Department or the person acting in his absence shall have full power, control, and command over all persons present at fires; and he shall direct the use of all fire apparatus and equipment, and command all firemen in the discharge of their duties. He shall take such measures as may be necessary in the preservation and protection of property and extinguishing of fires.

Related Articles

• Agencies, Officers, Employees – Article 01. Elective Officers
• Agencies, Officers, Employees – Article 02. Board of Trustees
• Agencies, Officers, Employees – Article 03. Town Clerk
• Agencies, Officers, Employees – Article 03A. Utility Clerk
• Agencies, Officers, Employees – Article 04. Town Treasurer