HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-11-8829ORDINANCE NO. 2024-11-8829
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 2
OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF PADUCAH
WHEREAS, the desires to amend Chapter 2, Division 5 "Fire Department" of the Code
of Ordinances of the City of Paducah.
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY OF PADUCAH, KENTUCKY:
SECTION A. That the City of Paducah, Kentucky, hereby amends Chapter 2, Division 5
"Fire Department" of the Paducah Code of Ordinances as follows:
Sec. 2-301. Chief.
The Chief of the Fire Department shall be the director and active executive head of the
Department and all employees shall be subject to the Chiefs supervision and control, but during
the chiefs absence from the City or inability to perform the duties of office the Deputy Chief,
Assistant Chief, or Battalion Chief of the Fire Department shall have supervision and control of
the Department.
Sec. 2-301.5. Administer and implement duties.
The Chief of the Fire Department shall have the responsibility for administering and
implementing duties associated with the divisions of administration, suppression, fire prevention,
and training.
Sec. 2-302. Captains.
All Captains in the Fire Department shall have and retain the same rank and shall be
responsible to the Chief of the Fire Department for the proper conduct and performance of the
duties of the firefighters at the stations to which they are assigned.
Sec. 2-303. Duties of members; leaving station while on duty.
(a) Duties.
(1) The Chief of the Fire Department shall designate duties to members of the
Department so as to produce the greatest efficiency in the service, and the Chiefs orders in
such matters shall be explicitly complied with.
(b) Leaving station while on duty. No member of the Fire Department shall leave the member's
station while on duty without the consent of the member's superior officer.
Sec. 2-304. Residency requirements.
All members of the Fire Department hired after October 1, 1988, shall reside within
McCracken County or within forty-five (45) minutes of Station 4 as measured by a recognized
mapping program, i.e., Mapquest, Google Maps, etc., as a condition of their continued employment
within the Fire Department of the City.
Sec. 2-305. Command at scene of fire.
The C"Officer of the first Fire Department company arriving at a fire shall be in
charge until the arrival of the Chief of the Department or a Deputy Chief, Assistant Chief, or
Battalion Chief. In the absence of the Chief, any Chief Officer at the scene shall assume the duties
of the Chief. The Captai-n-Officer of each company shall lead, direct and continue with the
C-aptaiite Officer's company for the duration of the fire, or until the fire is extinguished, or until
relieved by the Captain's Officer's superior.
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(b) Leaving station while on duty. No member of the Fire Department shall leave the member's
station while on duty without the consent of the member's superior officer.
Sec. 2-304. Residency requirements.
All members of the Fire Department hired after October 1, 1988, shall reside within
McCracken County or within forty-five (45) minutes of Station 4 as measured by a recognized
mapping program, i.e., Mapquest, Google Maps, etc., as a condition of their continued employment
within the Fire Department of the City.
Sec. 2-305. Command at scene of fire.
The C"Officer of the first Fire Department company arriving at a fire shall be in
charge until the arrival of the Chief of the Department or a Deputy Chief, Assistant Chief, or
Battalion Chief. In the absence of the Chief, any Chief Officer at the scene shall assume the duties
of the Chief. The Captai-n-Officer of each company shall lead, direct and continue with the
C-aptaiite Officer's company for the duration of the fire, or until the fire is extinguished, or until
relieved by the Captain's Officer's superior.
Sec. 2-306. Use of automotive equipment.
No member shall use the automotive equipment of the Fire Department except in the
performance of duty. Each member shall strictly observe all traffic laws, ordinances and
regulations of the City, except in answering alarms, and then shall use utmost diligence in the
handling of the equipment. Each member using automotive equipment shall use every precaution
to preserve the same in good order and good appearance.
Sec. 2-307. Number, rank and salaries of members in the suppression division;
additional compensation.
(a) The number and rank of members of the Fire Department of the City and the salary
of each position that shall be paid upon satisfactory completion of consecutive years of service in
the Fire Department shall be as established by ordinance. The schedule of such salaries and
positions shall be on file with the City Clerk.
(b) M thehigher than the position the employee holds, and the temper-afy assignmefft is to be for greater s�han
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ton (10) eenseettti3ve 24 hour shifts (exeliiding unseheduled evertime), then the wage fate ef t
employee will be adjusted aeeording to stteh amounts as established by ordinanee. 9tteh
aeting offieem are required to serve, ineleding vaeancy withiii the position, illness, vaeatiens
shall not be paid for assignments resulting fiem members operating on wer-k hael- -'sions,
aending--school f y other feason t, stated above. n _ _ -_„ ,
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aeeounted for by the Assistant Fire Chiefs, and paymeftt shall be made in a fflafm
with the aettial dates working in said aeting position. Acting pay shall be subjeet te all payfell
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Sec. 2-308. Uniforms.
(a) While on duty, all officers and personnel will be required to wear the uniform
prescribed by the Chief of the Department. When off duty, the uniform may be worn, but in no
instance while on or off duty will part of the uniform be permitted.
(b) All o meffibers of he Fire De a -A ..t shall be entitled to an additional elothing
all .,.,.nee as established by munieipal a F the 04y- In the event the member does not remain
an employee in the department for more than seventy-five (75) calendar days, all uniforms
purchased with the initial payment shall be returned to the Chief of the Department.
Sec. 2-310. Reserved.
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Sec. 2-308. Uniforms.
(a) While on duty, all officers and personnel will be required to wear the uniform
prescribed by the Chief of the Department. When off duty, the uniform may be worn, but in no
instance while on or off duty will part of the uniform be permitted.
(b) All o meffibers of he Fire De a -A ..t shall be entitled to an additional elothing
all .,.,.nee as established by munieipal a F the 04y- In the event the member does not remain
an employee in the department for more than seventy-five (75) calendar days, all uniforms
purchased with the initial payment shall be returned to the Chief of the Department.
Sec. 2-310. Reserved.
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Sec. 2-312. Report of neglect of duty.
It shall be the duty of the Chief of the Fire Department to report, in writing, to the Board
of Commissioners, any failure, neglect or refusal on the part of any member of the Fire Department
to use such member's best endeavor to enforce laws, perform such member's duties and report
violations of law to the Chief.
Sec. 2-313. Dismissal, suspension or demotion of members.
(a) Grounds.
(1) In addition to the causes for reprimand, dismissal, suspension and demotion
provided for by law, all members of the Fire Department shall be subject to reprimand, demotion,
suspension and dismissal for violation of City and/or Department rules and any similar types of
misconduct, examples of which include the following: of the following
a. Drinking beer, wine, whiskey or any other alcoholic or intoxicating liquor while on
duty of while wear-ing any ..&A of the ..berg.. unit
b. Being intoxicated either on er-e€f duty.
C. Insubordination or disrespect to the City Manager, the Mayor, any member of the
Board of Commissioners, or to any superior officer or employee, or refusal or failure to obey or
execute any command or order given by a superior officer.
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e. Conviction in any court of a felony.
f. Attempting to in any way influence any person's vote in any election, or interfering
with or obstructing the holding of any election or registration of voters.
g. Allowing as many as three (3) orders of attachment or garnishes against the
member's salary or wages for just debts.
h. Cowardice, inefficiency or neglect in the performance of duty, or disobedience of
lawful orders of a superior officer.
i. Such mental, physical or educational incapacity or disability as renders the member
incapable of properly performing the member's duty.
j. Abandonment of, without just cause, or failure to support the member's family.
k. Any immoral habits, lascivious or improper conduct not herein enumerated which
would render the member an unfit or improper person for employment in the Fire Department, or
which would in any way tend to bring discredit or criticism to the Fire Department, the City
government or any of its employees.
1. The acceptance of any gift or contribution of any kind from any person which may
be calculated to place such member of the Fire Department under obligation to the contributor or
anyone else. A gift having a fair market value of more than $200.00, whether in the form of money,
service, loan, travel, entertainment hospitality, or any other form is presumed to be a violation of
this section.
in. Entering any disorderly house except in the discharge of duty.
n. Using indecent, profane or obscene language while on duty or while wearing any
part of the member's uniform such that member(s) of the public can hear.
o. Impoliteness or rudeness in dealing with the public or in the performance of duty.
P. Slovenliness or untidiness in person or uniform or failure to wear the prescribed
uniform while on duty.
q. Being absent from duty without proper permission.
r. Engaging in disputes or quarrels with another employee or member of the
Department while either or any of them are on or off duty, or using any indecent, obscene or
profane names or language in addressing any officer of the Department or other person.
(2) Any member of the Fire Department who shall, on a hearing, be found guilty of
charges for violation of the rules and regulations prescribed in subsection (a)(1) of this section
shall be reprimanded, demoted, suspended or dismissed from the service in the discretion of the
Board of Commissioners.
(b) Demotion. When a member of the Fire Department is demoted by the Board of
Commissioners from one (1) grade or classification to a lower grade or classification, the member
shall have the same status as one appointed or promoted to such lower grade. A demoted member
shall be advised as to such member's position for future advancement and of the duties for which
such member is qualified. The member's position for future promotion shall also be made known
to all members within the rank to which such member has been demoted.
(c) Suspension. A suspended member of the Fire Department shall receive no pay
during the time of suspension unless the member is acquitted of the charges against such member,
and if so acquitted the member may be allowed pay for the time so suspended by order of the
Board of Commissioners.
Sec. 2-314. Firefighter recruitment and selection standards.
The Firefighter Candidate Recruitment Qualifications and Selection Procedure Manual,—a
r"ri Of Which is an file with the Gler fire department standard operating procedure SOG
208, shall be a part of this Code to the same effect as if set out in full herein.
Sec. 2-315. Firefighter training and qualifications; appointee probationary period
(a) EMT certification. Any person employed on a permanent basis as a firefighter in
the Paducah Fire Department shall, within a period of twenty-four (24) months, complete the
required course and become certified as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) through the
Commonwealth Department of Human Resources. Further, all firefighters so employed shall keep
their EMT certification current at all times and participate in continuing EMT education and
training programs. Failure to maintain EMT certification, with absence of good cause, shall be
grounds for discipline or dismissal pursuant to KRS 95.450 .
(b) Qualifications for employment. No person shall be employed as an appointee for
employment as a firefighter in the Fire Department who does not possess the following
qualifications and comply with the following requirements:
(1) They must be able to read, write and understand the English language and
must be a high school graduate or hold a certificate of high school equivalence issued on
the basis of a successful completion of the General Educational Development Test
administered and approved under the supervision of the United States Armed Forces
Institute, or a recognized institute of higher learning, or the state.
(2) They must be at least nineteen eighteen (4-118) years of age.
(3) They must be a person of sobriety and integrity who at all times has been
an orderly law-abiding citizen.
(4) They must be able to identify the colors of red, green and yellow.
(5) They must have standard visual acuity, without correction, not less than
20/40 in one eye, and 20/100 in the other eye; and, with correction, not less than 20/20 in
one eye, and 20/40 in the other eye.
(6) They must have a valid driver's license. The firefighter candidate recruit
qualifications and selection procedure manual, a copy of which is on file with the City
Clerk, shall be a part of this Code to the same effect as if set out in full herein.
(7) They must have US citizenship.
(8) They must be able to work full-time.
(9) They must have a valid Candidate Physical Agility Test (CPAT) card
current through the expected hire date.
(10) They must submit to a criminal background check.
(c) Probationary period.
(1) All appointments to the Fire Department shall be for a probationary period
of one (1) year from the completion of the initial training period of thirteen (13) weeks to
thirty-two (32) weeks (based on a forty (40) hour work week). The initial training period
shall not exceed thirty-two (32) weeks. During this time appointees shall be paid the hourly
wage as established by ordinance at the same time other regular firefighter wages are paid.
Upon completion of the initial training period the Fire Chief shall assign the appointee to
a regular platoon, working twenty-four (24) hours on duty and forty-eight (48) hours off
duty and paid the hourly wage by ordinance at the same time other regular firefighter wages
are paid. Until the probationary period has elapsed, the appointment shall be conditional.
At any time during this probationary period, the appointee may be summarily removed by
the Board of Commissioners of the City. During this probationary period the appointee
shall not be entitled to the grievance procedure of KRS 95.450 . At such time the appointee
may have successfully completed the probationary period they shall become a member of
the Fire Department and entitled to the procedures of KRS 95.450 .
(2) Until the one (1) year probationary period has elapsed, the appointment
shall be conditional. As such, the appointee shall not be entitled to the discipline procedures
of KRS 95.450. At any time during the appointee's probationary period, the appointee may
be summarily removed by the Board of Commissioners of the City.
(d) Additional training. After the completion of the above requirements, each member
shall engage in all training needed to meet State requirements.
(e) Supervision of training program. The training program provided for in subsections
(c)(1) and (2), and (d) of this section shall be under the direction and supervision of the Chief of
the Fire Department, subject to any rules and regulations adopted by the Board of Commissioners
and the Kentucky Fire Commission, and each person employed as an appointee for employment
as a firefighter shall participate therein and shall perform such duties as may be assigned to the
person by such Chief.
SECTION B. Compliance with Open Meetings Laws. The City Commission hereby
finds and determines that all formal actions relative to the adoption of this Ordinance were taken
in an open meeting of this City Commission, and that all deliberations of this City Commission
and its committees, if any, which resulted in formal action, were in meetings open to the public,
in full compliance with applicable legal requirements.
SECTION C. Conflicts. All ordinances, resolutions, orders or parts thereof in conflict
with the provisions of this Ordinance are, to the extent of such conflict, hereby repealed and the
provisions of this Ordinance shall prevail and be given effect.
SECTION D. Effective Date. This Ordinance shall be read on two separate days and
will become effective upon summary publication pursuant to KRS Chapter 424.
George Bray, Mayor
ATTEST:
indsay Parish City Clerk
Introduced by the Board of Commissioners, November 12, 2024
Adopted by the Board of Commissioners, November 27, 2024
Recorded by Lindsay Parish, City Clerk, November 27, 2024
Published by The Paducah Sun, November 30, 2024
KKHB
Ord\2-Fire Department 2024 Amendment