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Top issues for cities and fire departments
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NFPA staffing and response standards
Decide if you will comply with the standards Document your decision and the reasons for it
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Alcohol response policy
Make sure you have one
Consider zero tolerance Set time / amount limits (like two drinks in four hours)
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Enforce it
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Alcohol in the fire hall
Decide if it will be permitted If it’s permitted, take these precautions:
NO sale of alcohol in the fire hall NO access by underage persons Follow your response policy with designated drivers / responders Set ground rules for when and how much
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“Beer booth” fundraisers
Decide if it’s worth the risk Manage the risk
Server training Adequate insurance
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Selection of members and officers
Eliminate the election system
For officers For new members
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Relief association governance
Mayor, city clerk, and fire chief are board members All board members are fiduciaries All board members are entitled to
Receive meeting notices and materials, attend meetings, vote, examine all relief association records Meetings are subject to the Open Meeting Law
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The checkbook
Distinguish the department from the relief association Rules related to expenditures of public funds
Must be approved by the council Checks signed by the mayor and clerk
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Charging for fire calls
If you charge for fire calls:
Have an ordinance Apply the policy uniformly
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DON’T have this policy:
“We only charge if they have insurance that pays it.”
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Sexual harassment prevention
Do periodic training Follow the policy and take complaints seriously
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Physical standards
May be good reasons to have them Potential for some problems Considerations
Job-related Reasonable Applied uniformly
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Mutual aid agreements
Review them periodically
Set clear responsibilities Check liability provisions Review work comp provisions Consider equipment damage provisions Establish reimbursement provisions
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Discussion
NFPA standards Alcohol response, in the fire hall, sales Election or selection Relief associations The checkbook Service charges Sexual harassment prevention Physical standards Other issues in your city or department
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Contact information
Ann Gergen 651-281-1291 800-925-1122 agergen@lmnc.org
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