| Organizing
A Fire Department |
| Prior to
a community becoming eligible for federal or state grants or for the procurement of fire
fighting apparatus and equipment from the Arkansas Forestry Commission, or to be eligible
for Federal Excess Property and most other grant programs, the community must become
legally organized. Fire Departments can organize in several ways. This may be
as a: |
| 1. |
Non-Profit
Organization |
| 2. |
Fire District |
| 3. |
Subordinate
Service District |
| 4. |
City
Ordinance |
| There
are also situations whereby a small corporate community will provide fire protection to
its citizens, therefore, bringing the fire department under city council jurisdiction.
When this occurs, it is necessary to pass a (4) City Ordinance, to this
effect, this eliminates the requirement for the fire department to seek non-profit
organization status on it's own behalf. The most
common way for a rural area to organize a fire department is as a non-profit
organization. In order to become incorporated as a non-profit
organization, the following must be achieved: |
|
| 1. |
The community must
desire fire protection. Usually they advertise and hold a community meeting. |
| 2. |
They must hold a
community meeting with a good representation of the of the community in attendance. |
| 3. |
If the community is
to proceed, a vote should be taken to organize. A majority vote rules. |
| 4. |
If the community
votes to organize, then they must form the organization with no less than three (3) or nor
more than fifteen (15) board members. These board members will act on behalf on the
community in organizing and running the department. |
| 5. |
They must draft a
Constitution & By-Laws of the organization. |
| 6. |
They must file
approved organization and By-Laws with the Secretary of State. |
| The
Arkansas Forestry Commission, Greenbrier office, if requested, will send an employee to
the initial meeting of a rural fire department to help in the above procedure. |
The Arkansas Forestry Commission, Greenbrier office, if requested, will send an employee to the initial meeting of a rural fire department to help in the above procedure.
Most Fire Departments formulate a fire protection plan and establish training requirements for their departments.
The fire protection plan is basically a plan of implementation. The plan is used in conjunction with the constitution and by-laws along with the laws of the State of Arkansas, and can serve as a guide for the future of a successful organization.
The Board of Directors are responsible for the drafting and implementation of this plan; it should include, but not necessarily be limited to the following. |
|
|
| A
Fire Protection Plan |
| A. |
The
Fire Protection Situation |
|
1. |
Description
and map of organization boundaries - check with 911
Coordinator or Quorum Curt before establishing boundaries |
|
2. |
Population
of area and number of households |
|
3. |
Anticipated
five (5) year growth |
|
4. |
Existing
hazard areas (industry, gas plants, etc.) |
|
5. |
Existing
communications |
|
6. |
Existing
fire protection |
|
|
a. |
water supply |
|
|
b. |
fire hydrants |
|
|
c. |
fire fighting
apparatus |
|
|
d. |
etc. |
|
7. |
Existing
fire fighting manpower availability (trained & untrained) |
| B. |
Fire
Protection Goals and/or Objectives |
|
1. |
List of
basic goals or objectives |
|
2. |
How to
achieve these goals or objectives |
| C. |
Program
of Action (Approach) |
|
1. |
Communications
system |
|
2. |
Apparatus
and Equipment |
|
3. |
Manpower
and Training |
|
4. |
Mutual
Aid Agreements |
|
5. |
Operations |
|
6. |
Inspections
Program |
|
7. |
Record
Keeping and Reports |
|
8. |
Organization |
| D. |
Plan
Implementation |
|
1. |
Expected
Results and Benefits
(Reduction in insurance rates) |
|
2. |
Areas of
Responsibility |
|
3. |
Policies
and Procedures |
|
4. |
Financial
Resources - Sources of Funding |
|
5. |
Cost of
Operations - Budget |
|
6. |
Implementation
Schedule |
| E. |
Duties
and Responsibilities of Fire Chief, Board Member, Training Officer, etc. |
| A plan such as this
is basically a plan of action or a guide for an organization. Must information can
be obtained from other older established departments. Remember,
a plan of action or a guide for an organization can be modified and updated periodically.
Do not allow a too simple or a too complicated plan to be the downfall of a good
fire department. |
|
|
|
| Policies
and Procedures |
|
A written list of operational policies and procedures will help the department in everyday operations. This should include: |
| 1. |
Chain of Command |
| 2. |
Organizational Chart |
| 3. |
Articles of Incorporation |
| 4. |
Duties of Chief, Assistant Chief, Training Officer, Firefighter, Driver, Secretary, Treasurer, Cadet |
| 5. |
Policies and Procedures regarding disciplinary actions, grievances, and general rules and regulations |
