Varna Volunteer Fire Company

Rules and Regulations
 

PART A.
MEMBERSHIP CRITERIA

  1. Members must be 16 years of age or older.

  2. Members must reside or work in the Varna Fire Protection District or one of its adjacent districts. Membership by people living outside the Varna District is limited to 1/4 of the total membership as prescribed by New York State Not For Profit Corporation Law, Section 1402 (c) (3).

  3. Membership is not official until registered with the Town of Dryden Town Clerk.

PART B.
MEMBERSHIP CATEGORIES

The Membership Categories are defined by the particular activities in which a member is authorized to engage. All members are authorized (and expected) to engage in the activities of Sustaining Membership. A member may be authorized by the Board to participate in any or all of the additional membership categories.

Sustaining Member

The activities of Sustaining membership include but are not limited to:

  1. Maintaining fire apparatus and rescue equipment in a state of readiness.

  2. Maintaining the premises of the Varna Fire Station.

  3. Maintaining inventory of equipment and prepare plans for equipment replacement and new equipment acquisition.

  4. Maintaining maps and preplans of targeted locations in the fire district.

  5. Reviewing proposed new buildings and developments to identify fire protection needs.

  6. Raising funds for special needs.

  7. Recruiting new members.

  8. Responding to an emergency scene only when specifically requested by Incident Command.

Fire Police

The activities of Fire Police membership include but are not limited to:

  1. Maintaining fire police equipment in a state of readiness.

  2. Responding to fires and motor vehicle accidents requiring traffic control and/or crowd control.

  3. Controlling the emergency scene to protect emergency personnel, bystanders, and patients and to prevent any further accidents.

  4. Collaborating with other police agencies.

  5. Ensuring the safe arrival of firefighters and the free movement of emergency vehicles to and from the scene.

  6. Protecting the equipment of the fire company.

  7. Protecting property at the scene of the emergency.

  8. Assisting to secure a helicopter landing zone, if required.

New York State Law has conferred upon Fire Police the powers of peace officer while they are on duty. As provided in the NYS General Municipal Law 209-C, Fire Police must take an oath of office and be registered in the Peace Officer Registry with the Town Clerk.

Firefighter

The activities of Firefighter membership include but are not limited to:

  1. Maintaining firefighting equipment in a state of readiness.

  2. Responding when called to fires or situations of potential fire hazard, such as reports of smoke, downed wires, fuel spills, automobile accidents, etc.

  3. Driving an emergency vehicle safely to the emergency scene, operating the pump, and setting up or making available the necessary equipment.

  4. Attacking the fire using the techniques appropriate for the type of fire and the location.

  5. Locating a source of water (hydrant, pond, swimming pool, stream, etc.) and establishing a water supply using large-diameter hose or tanker relay.

  6. Covering or moving furniture, appliances, etc. to minimize property loss from water, smoke or falling debris.

  7. Securing a vacant building against unauthorized entry.

  8. Helping to investigate the origin and probable cause of fire.

  9. Extrication of accident victims as required.

  10. Assisting to secure a helicopter landing zone, if required.

In addition to the above activities, Firefighters qualified as Interior Firefighters, according to the General Orders of the Chiefs, may:

  1. Don breathing apparatus, gain entry to burning building, and conduct a search for occupants.

  2. Effect a rescue, if necessary, of building occupants.

  3. Carry a handline into a burning building to effect an appropriate interior attack on the fire.

  4. Enter the "hot zone" of a hazardous materials incident for the purpose of search and rescue of victims, or for the purpose of fire suppression.

Emergency Medical Service

The activities of EMS membership include but are not limited to:

  1. Maintaining the rescue equipment and vehicle in a state of readiness.

  2. Responding when called to situations requiring rescue, extrication, and/or emergency medical care.

  3. Driving an emergency vehicle safely to the emergency scene, operating the pump, and setting up or making available the necessary equipment.

  4. Assessing the patient(s) and providing the appropriate basic life supportor other emergency care.

  5. If indicated, calling for advanced life support or for helicopter transport to a trauma center or other specialized emergency medical facility.

  6. Assisting to secure a helicopter landing zone, if required.

  7. In cases of entrapment or entanglement, extricating the patient.

  8. Stabilizing the patient for transport.

  9. Transferring the patient to the ambulance for transport to the hospital.

  10. If necessary, accompanying the ambulance to the hospital to provide the necessary care en route and to communicate patient information to the emergency room staff.

PART C.
COMPETENCE LEVELS

Competence Levels are defined by competence in the approved Membership Category. The Competence Level of a given member can vary from one Membership Category to another. (For example, a member might be approved for Active Membership as a Firefighter but only Probationary EMS Membership.)

  • Probationary Level: The Probationary Level is assumed upon approval by the Board of a new member's application for membership, regardless of Membership Category and regardless of prior experience.

  • Active Level: Promotion to Active membership is based on demonstrated competence in the approved Membership Category. Competence is demonstrated by successful completion of the specified courses, passing the specified exam, and/or participation in the specified training. Fulfillment of the requirements listed below allow the member to be considered by the Board of Directors for Active Membership in the designated Category. Final approval is by a majority vote of the Board.

    • Requirements for Active Sustaining Membership

    1. Demonstrated willingness to support the non-emergency activities of the Varna Volunteer Fire Company.

    2. Satisfactory completion of the 15-hour, OSHA-mandated new member training.

    3. Satisfactory completion of the Sustaining Membership Exam.

    Requirements for Active Fire Police Membership

    1. Satisfactory completion of "Fire Police", a 9-hour course taught by a NY State certified instructor, or its equivalent.

    2. Satisfactory performance on the VFD Fire Police Membership Exam.

    Requirements for Active Firefighter Membership

    1. Satisfactory completion of "Essentials of Firefighting", a 39-hour course taught by a NY State certified instructor, or its equivalent.

    2. Satisfactory performance on the VFD Firefighter Membership Exam.

    Requirements for Active EMS Membership

    1. Must be a Certified First Responder, an Emergency Medical Technician, and/or a qualified driver/operator of the rescue vehicle and have first aid and CPR training.

    2. Satisfactory performance on the VFD EMS Membership Exam.

    Lapsed Member: If a member does not maintain a minimum threshold of competence for a given Membership Category, the Board by a majority vote can declare that member lapsed in that Category. Competence is demonstrated by continued participation in the specified training and/or the successful completion of the required requalification exam.

    Minimum Activity for Maintaining Active Sustaining Membership

    1. Participate in at least one meeting, work detail, or other organized activity of the Varna Fire Company, Inc. per quarter.

    2. Complete the annual OSHA-mandated safety training for non-emergency activities.

    Minimum Activity for Maintaining Active Fire Police Membership

    1. Participate in one training per quarter.

    2. Participate in one Fire Police training per year.

    3. Respond to one call per year.

    4. Complete the annual OSHA-mandated safety training for Fire Police.

    Minimum Activity for Maintaining Active Firefighter Membership

    1. Participate in three trainings per quarter. (Note: for Interior Firefighters at least one of the three trainings must be for interior firefighting.)

    2. Participate within the mandated interval in special trainings on new procedures mandated by the Fire Chief.

    3. Respond to one call per quarter.

    4. Complete the annual OSHA-mandated safety training for Firefighters.

    Minimum Activity for Maintaining Active EMS Membership

    1. Maintain the minimum necessary certifications.

    2. Participate in three trainings per quarter, at least one of which must be EMS.

    3. Participate in one Rescue Squad meeting per quarter.

    4. Respond to at least one call per quarter.

    5. Complete the annual OSHA-mandated safety training for EMS personnel.

    PART E.
    QUALIFICATIONS OF OFFICERS

    Only Active members in good standing shall be eligible to be elected officers. The following are the minimum qualifications for each office (equivalence will be determined by the Chief Officers):

    Fire Chief

    1. Three years of experience as an active firefighter.

    2. Completion of "Essentials of Firefighting" or its equivalent.

    3. Completion of "Pump Operator" or its equivalent.

    4. Two officer training courses.

    5. A hazardous materials course.

    6. A course in fire investigation.

    7. Completion of "Accident Victim Extrication" or its equivalent.

    8. Service of at least one year as a subordinate officer.

    Deputy Fire Chief

    1. Two years of experience as an active firefighter.

    2. Completion of "Essentials of Firefighting" or its equivalent.

    3. Completion of "Pump Operator" or equivalent training.

    4. One officer training course.

    5. A hazardous materials course.

    6. A course in fire investigation.

    7. Completion of "Accident Victim Extrication" or its equivalent.

    Assistant Fire Chief

    1. Two years of experience as an active firefighter.

    2. Completion of "Essentials of Firefighting" or its equivalent.

    3. Completion of "Pump Operator" or equivalent training.

    4. One officer training course.

    5. A hazardous materials course.

    6. Completion of "Accident Victim Extrication" or its equivalent.

    Assistant EMS Chief

    1. Two years of experience in emergency medical service.

    2. Current certification as a NYS EMT.

    3. Completion of "Accident Victim Extrication" or its equivalent.

    4. One officer training course.

    5. A hazardous materials course or an infection control course.

    Fire Police Captain

    1. One year of active service as a firefighter or fire police.

    2. Completion of "Fire Police Procedures" or its equivalent.

    Fire Vehicle Captains

    1. One year of active service as a firefighter.

    2. Completion of "Essentials of Firefighting" or its equivalent.

    3. Qualified as a driver/operator on the respective vehicle for at least four months.

    4. Completion of a pump operator course.

    5. Completion of "Accident Victim Extrication" or its equivalent.

    Rescue Vehicle Captain

    1. One year of active EMS service.

    2. Completion of "Accident Victim Extrication" or its equivalent.

    3. Qualified as a driver/operator on the rescue vehicle for at least four months.

    PART F.
    ELECTION PROCEDURES

    The Chairman of the Board of Directors shall appoint someone not a candidate for office during the current election to be the Election Officer. The order of voting shall be as follows:

    1. Chief
    2. Deputy Chief
    3. Assistant Fire Chief
    4. Assistant EMS Chief
    5. Captain of 1942
    6. Captain of 1901
    7. Captain of 1921
    8. Captain of 1941
    9. Fire Police Captain
    10. Board Members
    11. Treasurer
    12. Secretary

    For each office, the Election Officer shall announce the candidate(s) nominated by the Board and then call for nominations from the floor. Any nominee not wishing to stand for election may decline the nomination. Blank paper ballots shall be distributed to the eligible voters. For the offices of Chief through Secretary the voters shall mark their ballots with either the name of the desired candidate or the word "abstain". The candidate receiving a majority of the ballots cast shall be declared the winner. The "abstain" ballots will be counted in the total ballots cast. If there is no majority on the first vote for a given office, the two candidates receiving the most votes will face one another in a run-off election immediately following the first. In the event of a tie, there shall be one additional vote for that office. If no candidate receives a majority of the ballots cast for a given office, the office shall be declared unfilled until a Special Election is called.

    The ballots for Board Members shall be marked with the names of the desired candidates, the total number of which must not exceed the number of positions up for election. The candidates receiving the most votes shall be elected to the open positions.

    No absentee or proxy ballots shall be permitted.

    PART H.
    STANDING COMMITTEES

    The following shall be permanent standing committees, members of which shall be appointed by the Chairman of the Board. Standing Committee Chairmen shall report the activities of their respective committees to the membership at the regular monthly meetings.

    Building and Grounds
    Oversees the maintenance of the building and grounds. The Chairman of this committee, in consultation with the Chairman of the Board and Fire Chief, can call general work details for maintenance purposes.

    Membership
    Maintains the membership records, oversees the mentoring program, and monitors the training progress of the members.

    Recruitment
    Plans activities to attract and keep new members.

    PART I.
    MEETINGS

    The regular business meeting of the Company shall be held on the first Thursday of each month. The regular Board of Directors meeting shall be held the on the third Thursday of each month. Occasional deviations from this regular schedule may be authorized by the Board to accommodate special situations. The minutes of all meetings shall be posted by the Secretary.

    PART J.
    INCENTIVE PROGRAM

    As a small reward to active participation, an incentive fund shall be set aside each year to be disbursed among the active members according to their documented hours of activity.

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