Chapter 14 - Fire Protection
Chapter Contents:
Article I - In General
- § 14-1. International Fire Code - Adopted.
- § 14-2. Same - Amendments.
- § 14-3. Bowling alleys, etc., to be on ground floor; exception.
- § 14-4. Burning trash, paper, wood, etc. - Prohibited during darkness.
- § 14-5. Burning trash, paper, wood, etc. permitted during daylight under certain conditions.
- § 14-6. False fire alarms prohibited.
- § 14-7. Regulation of transport loads of gasoline, fuel oil, etc., to bulk plant storage tank, commercial garage, etc.
- § 14-8. Fire safety zones established; parking within such zone prohibited, exceptions.
- § 14-9. Mutual Aid Agreement between the City of Rolla Fire and Rescue Department, and the Dent County Fire Protection District.
- § 14-10 to 14-13. Reserved.
Article II - Fire Department Committee
- § 14-14. Definitions.
- § 14-15. Composition; duties.
- § 14-16. Reports to city council.
- § 14-17. Powers.
- § 14-18. Obedience to fire committee required.
- § 14-19 to 14-23. Reserved.
Article III - Fire Department
- § 14-24. Created.
- § 14-25. Composition.
- § 14-26. Fire chief - Appointment; term of office; qualifications; removal; accountable to mayor.
- § 14-27. Same - Powers and duties.
- § 14-28. Regulation of use, housing, etc., of equipment; mutual aid agreements.
- § 14-29. Personnel - Division into three classes.
- § 14-30. Same - Responsible to fire chief; required compliance with all rules and regulations governing conduct, duties, etc., in department; issued badge or insignia.
- § 14-31. Enforcement of article.
- § 14-32. Penalty for violation of article.
- § 14-33 to 14-37. Reserved.
Article IV - Fireworks
- § 14-38. Sale of firecrackers, etc., permitted on certain days.
- § 14-39. Wholesale sale of fireworks - Permitted.
- § 14-40. Permit - Required.
- § 14-41. Proof of wholesale sales - Required.
- § 14-42. Revocation of permits.
- § 14-43. Seizure of stock.
- § 14-44. Definition.
- § 14-45 to 14-49. Reserved.
Article V - Fire Detectors Required In Certain Buildings and Dwellings
- § 14-50. Definitions.
- § 14-51. Installation of smoke detectors required.
- § 14-52. Type of detector.
- § 14-53. Enforcement and inspection.
- § 14-54. Penalties.
- § 14-55. Effective date.
- § 14-56 to 14-60. Reserved.
Article VI - Fire Control Measures and Regulations
- § 14-61. Adoption of fire control measures and regulations.
- § 14-62. Authority at fires and other emergencies.
- § 14-63. Interference with fire department operations.
- § 14-64. Vehicles crossing fire hose.
- § 14-65. Definition of authorized emergency vehicle.
- § 14-66. Operation of vehicles on approach of authorized emergency vehicles.
- § 14-67. Vehicles following fire apparatus.
- § 14-68. Unlawful boarding or tampering with emergency equipment.
- § 14-69. Damaging, injuring - Fire department equipment or personnel.
- § 14-70. Emergency vehicle operation.
- § 14-71. Blocking fire hydrants and fire department connections.
- § 14-72. Hydrant use approval.
- § 14-73 to 14-77. Reserved.
Article I - In General
Sec. 14-1. International Fire Code - Adopted.
(a) There is hereby adopted by the City for the purpose of establishing fire control measures and other rules and regulations controlling conditions which could impede or interfere with fire suppression forces, that certain code known as the International Fire Code, 2000 Edition, of which code not less than two copies have been and now are filed in the office of the City Clerk, and the same is hereby adopted and incorporated in the Code of the City of Rolla, Missouri, as if set out at length herein.
(b) This Ordinance shall be in full force and effect from and after January 21, 2003. (Ord. 2275, 3; Ord. 2596, 2-3; Ord. 2927, 2; Ord. 3151, 2; Ord. 3549, 2)
Sec. 14-2. Same - Amendments.
101.1 Title, is hereby amended by inserting the words "City of Rolla, Missouri".
105.3.1 Expiration. Every permit issued shall be valid for one year after issuance unless work authorized by the permit is not commenced within 180 days after its issuance, or if the authorized work is suspended or abandoned for a period of 180 days after the time the work is commenced. At that time the permit would become void and re-application would need to be made. A one-time, one-year extension of a valid permit may be obtained at a cost of one half of the original permit fee.
106.4 Fee schedule. Refer to fee schedule provided in Section 108.7 of the International Building Code.
109.3 Violation Penalties. Any person who shall violate a provision of this code or shall fail to comply with any of the requirements thereof or who shall erect, construct, alter or repair a building or structure in violation of an approved plan or directive of the code official, or of a permit or certificate issued under the provisions of this code, shall be guilty of a Misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of not more than $500.00, or by imprisonment not exceeding 90 days, or both such fine and imprisonment. Each day that a violation continues after due notice has been served shall be deemed a separate offense.
3301.1.3 Fireworks Add #5, to Exceptions:
- 5 (a) Any individual or organization may discharge fireworks as herein defined, without permit, on the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th days of July. No fireworks may be discharged between the hours of midnight and 8 a.m.
- (b) No fireworks shall be discharged within 50 feet of any stand, booth, or other location where fireworks are being sold.
- (c) Every person who shall sell fireworks in accordance with this Chapter shall post notice at his place of sale warning that no fireworks shall be discharged within 50 feet of such place of sale as per city ordinance and shall post notice that fireworks may be discharged with the city limits on July 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th.
- (d) This ordinance shall be in full force and effect from and after August 16, 2004. (Ord. 2275, 4; Ord. 2596, 2-3; Ord. 2927, 2; Ord. 3549, 2; Ord. 3642, 1)
Sec. 14-3. Bowling alleys, etc., to be on ground floor; exception.
It shall be unlawful for any person to operate or maintain a pool hall, bowling alley, dance hall or any other commercial place of public amusement on any story above the ground floor of any building within the city, unless the building is constructed in such a manner as to be fireproof. (Ord. 518, 1)
Sec. 14-4. Burning trash, paper, wood, etc. - Prohibited during darkness.
It is unlawful for any person to burn, set fire to or ignite any trash, paper, wood, grass, leaves, weeds or any other debris or refuse within the city, during the hours of darkness, from sunset to sunrise. (Ord. 998, 1)
Sec. 14-5. Burning trash, paper, wood, etc. permitted during daylight under certain conditions.
(a) It shall be unlawful for any person to burn, set fire to or ignite any solid waste, paper, wood, grass, leaves, weeds or any other debris or refuse. Provided, that this section shall not apply to the burning of grass, leaves, weeds, or natural vegetation generated upon a landowners property by special permit. (Ord. 2919, 1)
(b) Open burning of grass, leaves, weeds, or natural vegetation generated upon a land owners property shall be permitted year round, under the terms and conditions set forth in any written or verbal permit which may be issued by the fire chief or his designee. Such written or verbal permit, issued by such fire chief or his designee, shall specify the time and place such burning shall be permitted.
(c) Open burning shall be allowed after obtaining a permit or other proper authorization from the fire chief or his designee for recognized silvicultural or range or wildlife management practices, prevention or control of disease or pests, heating for warmth of out workers, and a bonfire.
(d) A bonfire shall be no more than 5 feet by 5 feet by 5 feet in dimension and shall burn not longer than 3 hours. The size and duration of a bonfire shall only be increased by the fire chief or his designee when it is determined that fire safety requirements of the situation and the desirable duration of burn, warrant the increase.
(e) Fuel for a bonfire shall consist only of seasoned dry firewood and be ignited with a small quantity of paper. The fire shall not be used for waste disposal purposes and the fuel shall be chosen to minimize the generation of air contaminants.
(f) Applications for open burning bonfires shall be submitted in writing at least 10 days before the fire is set and shall be in such form and contain such information as required by the fire chief or his designee. Such applications shall contain, as a minimum, information regarding: the purpose of the proposed burning, the nature and quantities of material to be burned, the date when such burning will take place, and the location of the burning site.
(g) All permits shall be requested by and issued to the owner of the land upon which the bonfire is to be kindled.
(h) The location for any open burning shall be not less than 50 feet from any structure and provisions shall be made to prevent the fire spreading to within 50 feet of any structure. Fires in approved containers shall be permitted to be not less than 15 feet from any structure. All burning shall take place on the owners property. No burning shall be permitted on City right-of-way.
(i) Open burning shall not be used for waste disposal purposes, shall be of the minimum size of the intended purpose, and the fuel shall be chosen to minimize the generation and emission of air contaminants.
(j) Any open burning shall be constantly attended until the fire is extinguished. Fire extinguishing equipment shall be available for immediate use.
(k) Open burning shall be allowed without prior notification to the fire chief or his designee for: highway safety flares, smudge pots and similar occupational needs.
(l) The fire chief or his designee shall prohibit open burning which will be offensive or objectionable due to smoke or odor emissions when atmospheric conditions or local circumstances make such fires hazardous. The fire chief or his designee shall order the extinguishment, by the permit holder or the fire department, or any open burning which creates or adds to a hazardous or objectionable situation.
(m) Open burning shall be allowed with prior notification to the fire chief or his designee and upon receipt of written permission from the jurisdictional EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) authority, provided that any conditions specified in the permission are followed, for: disposal of hazardous or toxic material where the EPA determines that there is no practical alternative method of disposal, instruction in methods of fire fighting or for research in control of fires, in emergency or other extraordinary circumstances research in control of fires, in emergency or other extraordinary circumstances for any purpose determined to be necessary by the EPA, disposal of landscape waste other than residential and agricultural waster, and recognized agricultural or horticultural management purposes to maintain or increase the quantity or quality of agricultural or horticultural production. When jurisdictional EPA written permission is not applicable, the fire chief or his designee shall give written permission only after it has been determined that approved fire safety requirements and emission standards are to be met. (Ord. 998, 2; Ord. 1490, 1; Ord. 2874, 2)
Sec. 14-6. False fire alarms prohibited.
No person shall maliciously turn in or cause to be turned in a false alarm of fire. (Ord. 259, 1; Ord. 1211, 10)
Sec. 14-7. Regulation of transport loads of gasoline, fuel oil, etc., to bulk plant storage tank, commercial garage, etc.
It shall be unlawful to deliver transport loads of gasoline, fuel oil or diesel fuel to any bulk plant storage tank, or commercial garage or service station storage tank, except at such times as there shall be present at the site of the unloading of such transport a person of lawful age who shall personally witness and supervise the unloading of such transport truck and the filling of such storage tank.
It shall be unlawful to cause or permit gasoline, fuel oil or diesel fuel from any transport load to be discharged or poured upon the ground. (Ord. 1434, 1, 2)
Sec. 14-8. Fire safety zones established; parking within such zones prohibited, exceptions.
It shall be unlawful for any person to park a vehicle within the following described areas of the public streets, hereby designated as "fire safety zones," unless such vehicle is being then and there loaded with or unloaded of goods, wares, merchandise or other personal property, or is being loaded with passengers or is being used for the discharge of passengers therefrom:
Pine Street, on the east side from a point twenty-five feet north of the intersection of Eleventh Street and Pine Street to a point sixty-three feet north of intersection of Eleventh Street and Pine Street, (Uptown Theater).
Rolla Street, on the west side from a point one hundred and thirty-seven feet south of the intersection of Ninth Street and Rolla Street to a point one hundred and sixty-two feet south of such intersection of Ninth Street and Rolla Street. (Ritz Theater). (Ord. 1911, 1; Ord. 2086, 1; Ord. 2115, 1)
Sec. 14-9. Mutual Aid Agreement between the City of Rolla Fire and Rescue Department, and the Dent County Fire Protection District.
That the Mayor of the City of Rolla, Missouri, be and he is hereby authorized and directed to execute on behalf of the City of Rolla, Missouri a certain mutual aid agreement in which the City of Rolla, Missouri and the Dent County Fire Protection District are parties, a copy of said agreement being attached hereto and marked as Exhibit A. (Ord. 3930, §1)
Sec. 14-10 to 14-13. Reserved.
Article II - Fire Department Committee
Sec. 14-14. Definitions.
For the purpose of this Article, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings respectively ascribed to them by this Section:
Fireman - Any person as a qualified regular fireman who has completed a six-month probationary period as a regular fireman with the city fire department.
Probationary fireman - Any person employed as a qualified regular fireman who has not completed a six-month probationary period as a regular fireman with the city fire department. (Ord. 1048, 2.)
Sec. 14-15. Composition; duties.
The committee for the government of the fire department shall consist of three members of the city council, whose duty it shall be to take such rules and regulations for the government of the fire department as they may deem fit. (Ord. 41, 1.)
Sec. 14-16. Reports to city council.
The committee established by Section 14-15 shall take into consideration and report to the city council all matters relating to the fire department or to property of the city connected therewith, and annually, in the month of May, make a full and complete report of the condition of the department, and such other information and suggestions in relation to the operations of the fire department as they may deem advisable. Such committee shall have full control of the fire department (Ord. 41, 4.)
Sec. 14-17. Powers.
The members of the committee established by Section 14-15, or the fire chief shall have the same police powers as the chief of police and may command such assistance from the inhabitants of the city for the suppression or extinguishing of fires as may be required, and all persons are required to respect and obey all orders and commands of the board at all fires in the city. (Ord. 41, 5.)
Sec. 14-18. Obedience to fire committee required.
All persons are required to obey the precepts, regulations and requirements of the committee established by Section 14-15. (Ord. 41, 6.)
Secs. 14-19 to 14-23. Reserved.
Article III - Fire Department
Sec. 14-24. Created.
A department to be hereafter known as the Rolla fire department, the object of which shall be the prevention of fire and the protection of life and property within the limits of the city is hereby created. (Ord. 1211, 1.)
Sec. 14-25. Composition.
The department shall consist of a chief, six regular firemen and such other part-time and volunteer firemen as the council may from time to time determine. (Ord. 1211, 2.)
Sec. 14-26. Fire chief - Appointment; term of office; qualifications; removal; accountable to mayor.
The chief shall be appointed by the mayor, by and with the consent of the majority of the members of the city council for an indefinite period of time, and his tenure of office shall depend upon his good conduct and efficiency. The chief shall be technically qualified by training and experience and shall have the ability to command men and hold their respect and confidence. He shall be removed only for just cause and after a hearing before the city council. He shall be accountable to the mayor only and shall make written and verbal reports as may be required by the mayor or the city council. All other members of the fire department shall be accountable to the mayor and to the chief only. (Ord. 1211, 3.)
Sec. 14-27. Same - Powers and duties.
The chief shall formulate, subject to the approval of the mayor, a set of rules and regulations to govern the department and shall be responsible for the personnel, morale and general efficiency of the department; he shall determine the working schedule of all regular members of the fire department as well as all part-time members; he shall at least once a month conduct suitable drills or instruction in the operation and handling of equipment, first aid and rescue work, salvage, a study of buildings in the city, fire prevention, water supplies, and all other matters generally considered essential to good firemanship and safety of life and property from fire; he shall assist the proper authorities in suppressing the crime of arson by investigating or causing to be investigated the cause, origin and circumstances of all fires; he is hereby empowered, and it shall be his duty, to enter any and all buildings and premises used for commercial purposes including the housing of students and buildings for hotel and motel purposes at any reasonable hour for the purpose of making inspections and to serve written notice upon the owner or occupant to abate within a specific time, any and all fire hazards that may be found and any person so served with notice to abate any fire hazard or shall comply therewith and promptly notify the chief. It shall also be the duty of the chief to see that complete records are kept of all fires, inspections, apparatus and minor equipment, personnel and other information about the work of the department and he shall report monthly to the city council for the condition of the apparatus and equipment, the number of fires during the month, the location and cause and date of same and loss occasioned thereby, the number and purpose of all other runs made and the number of members responding to each fire or other run and any changes in membership. It shall be the duty of the chief to make a complete annual report to the city council within one month after the close of the fiscal year, such report to include the information specified herein together with comparative date for previous years and recommendations for improving the effectiveness of the department . (Ord. 1211, 4.)
Sec. 14-28. Regulation of use, housing, etc., of equipment; mutual aid agreements.
The department shall be equipped with such apparatus and other equipment as may be required from time to time to maintain its efficiency and properly protect life and property from fire; all equipment of the department shall be safely and conveniently housed and no person shall use any fire apparatus or equipment for any private purpose, except in an emergency and then only by consent of the mayor and while such equipment is in charge and control of a regular member of the department, and no person shall enter any place where fire apparatus is housed or handle any apparatus or equipment belonging to the department unless accompanied by or having the special permission of an officer or authorized member of the department. No fire calls will be answered outside the corporate limits of the city; provided however, that call for assistance from the fire department of corporate municipalities may be answered when the absence of such equipment from the city will not jeopardize protection of property within the corporate limits of the city; provided, further, that the department may answer calls for assistance from the Rolla Rural Fire Protection Association, Inc., pursuant to a mutual aid agreement between the City of Rolla and said corporation. (Ord. 2018, 1.)
Sec. 14-29. Personnel-Division into three classes.
The personnel of the Rolla fire department shall be divided into three classes: Regular firemen; student firemen and volunteers. A regular fireman is one who is employed at a regular salary on a full time basis; a student fireman is one who is employed on a part-time basis; a volunteer is one who has been selected by the chief to serve as a fireman but who receives no regular pay or salary and is only subject to call on special occasions. (Ord. 1211, 6.)
Sec. 14-30. Same - Responsible to fire chief; required compliance with all rules and regulations governing conduct, duties, etc., in department; issued badge or insignia.
All members of the fire department shall be directly responsible to the chief and shall submit themselves to the orders and directions of the chief in all matters pertaining to the fire department and the carrying out of the functions of the department and shall comply with all rules and regulations promulgated by the chief governing their conduct, duties and activities in the fire department. (Ord. 2275, 2.)
Sec. 14-31. Enforcement of article.
All regularly appointed members of the department are hereby given the necessary special powers for the purpose of enforcing the provisions of this Article. (Ord. 1211, 12.)
Sec. 14-32. Penalty for violation of article.
Any person who shall be convicted of violating any provision of this Article shall, upon conviction be subject to a fine not to exceed five hundred ($500.00) dollars or be sentenced to a period of confinement in jail not to exceed three months, or be subject to the imposition of both a fine and a period of confinement within the aforesaid limits. (Ord. 2434, 1.)
Secs. 14-33 to 14-37. Reserved.
Article IV - Fireworks
Sec. 14-38. Sale of firecrackers, etc., permitted on certain days.
No person shall at any time sell, offer or expose for sale or give away any firecracker, potash or sulphur tablet or pellet, or any device for exploding any tablet or pellet, or any torpedo, aerial salute or aerial reporting shell, or any display bomb shell or any other article commonly known as fireworks within the corporate limits of the City, except on the thirtieth day of June and the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh days of July. (Ord. 575, 1; Ord. 1620, 1; Ord. 2737, 1.)
Sec. 14-39. Wholesale sale of fireworks - Permitted.
Wholesale sale of fireworks is hereby permitted within the city limits of the City of Rolla, Missouri, herein. All such wholesale sales shall comply with the conditions and requirements contained herein. (Ord. 2311, 1.)
Sec. 14-40. Permit - Required.
No wholesale sale shall be made by any seller who does not have a valid permit.
(a) A permit for the wholesale sale of fireworks shall be obtained from the City of Rolla fire department.
(b) No permit shall be issued except upon proof offered by the applicant of complete compliance of all provisions of state statutes and city ordinances relating to safety requirements for the sale of fireworks.
(c) If, after inspection, the Rolla fire department determines that the proposed conditions of sale constitute a fire hazard, no permit shall be issued. (Ord. 2311, 2.)
Sec. 14-41. Proof of wholesale sales - Required.
Any wholesale seller of fireworks making sales under this Ordinance must provide the Rolla fire department with proof that all sales made are wholesale sales. Such proof must be proffered on a monthly basis and noncompliance with this Section shall result in immediate revocation of permit to sell. (Ord. 2311, 3.)
Sec. 14-42. Revocation of permits.
Permits for the wholesale sale of fireworks provided for under this Ordinance may be revoked by the Rolla fire department upon its determination, after inspection, that unsafe conditions exist. (Ord. 2311, 4.)
Sec. 14-43. Seizure of stock.
Upon a determination of unsafe conditions, or upon a violation of this Ordinance, the Rolla fire department may seize, take, remove, or cause to be removed at the cost of the owner, all stocks of fireworks offered or exposed for display or sale, stored or held in violation of this Ordinance. (Ord. 2311, 5.)
Sec. 14-44. Definition.
The term fireworks as used herein shall be construed as is defined in the Basic Fire Prevention Code, Section F2800.4. (Ord. 2311, 6.)
Secs. 14-45 to 14-49. Reserved.
Article V - Fire Detectors Required In Certain Buildings and Dwellings
Sec. 14-50. Definitions.
For the purpose of this Article, the following terms, phrases, words and derivations shall have the meaning given herein. The word shall is mandatory and the word may is permissive. Words not defined shall be given their common and ordinary meaning.
Apartment building - for the purpose of this Article shall mean a building that contains two or more dwelling units.
Dormitories - for the purpose of this Article shall be defined as buildings or spaces in buildings where group sleeping accommodations are provided for persons, not members of the same family group, on one room or in a series of closely associated rooms under joint occupancy and single management as in college dormitories, fraternity or sorority houses, military barracks or nursing homes.
Dwelling unit - means a structure, building, area, room or combination of rooms occupied by persons for sleeping or living.
Motels and hotels - for the purpose of this Article shall mean buildings which provide overnight living accommodations for the public and which are licensed by the city as motels and hotels.
Owner - means any person, firm, partnership, corporation who alone or jointly or severally with other persons, firms, partnerships has legal title to any premises. The term does not include a lessee, sublessee or other person who merely has the right to occupy or possess a premises.
Renovated - means new construction to an existing dwelling unit that involves the addition of new living space or the rebuilding or reconstruction of existing living space.
Smoke detector - means a device which detects visible or invisible particles of combustion and shall be either ionization or photoelectric type. (Ord. 2592, 1.)
Sec. 14-51. Installation of smoke detectors required.
(a) The owner of each dwelling unit in the city which is constructed or is renovated after the passage of this Article shall install smoke detectors prior to the occupancy of said newly constructed dwelling unit or prior to the completion of renovation to an existing dwelling unit.
(b) The owner of any apartment building, dormitory, hotel or motel in the city in existence at the time of the passage of this Article or used as such or constructed after the time of the passage of this Article shall install smoke detectors in each apartment, each dormitory room that has sleeping facilities or cooking facilities, and each motel or hotel room prior to allowing any person to rent, lease or occupy said apartment, dormitory room, motel or hotel room, and in 2592, 1.)
Sec. 14-52. Type of detector.
Smoke detectors shall bear the label of a nationally recognized standards testing laboratory that indicates that the smoke detectors have been tested and listed under the requirement of United Laboratories, Inc. Standard UL217 2nd Edition or National Fire Protection Association Standards 72E and 74. (Ord. 2592, 1.)
Sec. 14-53. Enforcement and inspection.
(a) The building code inspector or other city official charged with the issuance of construction or building permits for the buildings and structures to which this Article applies shall require that all plans for new construction or renovation of existing structures to which this Article applies contain an indication that calls for the installation of smoke detectors as required by the provisions of this Article and shall not approve or issue such permit in the absence thereof.
(b) The director of public works or his designee shall have jurisdiction to inspect residential dwelling units, dormitories, apartments, motels and hotels for the installation of any smoke detector required to be installed under this Article or any other ordinance. Such inspection may be held between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. (Ord. 2592, 1.)
Sec. 14-54. Penalties.
Any owner found to be in violation of the provisions of this Article shall be subject to prosecution in the municipal court and upon conviction such owner shall be subject to a punishment of a fine not to exceed fifty dollars. For the purposes of such prosecution, each day that a violation exists shall constitute a separate offense punishable as set for herein. (Ord. 2592, 1.)
Sec. 14-55. Effective date.
This Ordinance shall be in full force and effect from and after June 1, 1988. (Ord. 2592, 2.)
Secs. 14-56 to 14-60. Reserved.
Article VI - Fire Control Measures and Regulations
Sec. 14-61. Adoption of fire control measures and regulations.
There is hereby adopted by the City of Rolla the fire control measures and regulations as herein set forth for the purposes of controlling conditions which could impede or interfere with fire suppression forces. (Ord. 2616, 1.)
Sec. 14-62. Authority at fires and other emergencies.
The fire official or duly authorized representatives, as may be in charge at the scene of a fire or other emergency involving the protection of life and/or property, is empowered to direct such operations as may be necessary to extinguish or control any suspected or reported fires, gas leaks, or other hazardous conditions or situations or of taking any other action necessary in the reasonable performance of their duty. The fire official may prohibit any person, vehicle or object from approaching the scene and may remove or cause to be removed from the scene any person, vehicle or object which may impede or interfere with the operations of the fire department. The fire official may remove or cause to be removed any person, vehicle or object from hazardous areas. All persons ordered to leave a hazardous area shall do so immediately and shall not re-enter the area until authorized to do so by the fire official. (Ord. 2616, 2.)
Sec. 14-63. Interference with fire department operations.
It shall be unlawful to interfere with, attempt to interfere with, conspire to interfere with, obstruct or restrict the mobility of, or block the path of travel of any fire department emergency vehicle in any way, or to interfere with, attempt to interfere, conspire to interfere with, obstruct or hamper any fire department operation. (Ord. 2616, 3.)
Sec. 14-64. Vehicles crossing fire hose.
A vehicle shall not be driven or propelled over any unprotected fire hose of the fire department when laid down on any street, alleyway, private drive or any other vehicular roadway without the consent of the fire official in command of said operation. (Ord. 2616, 4.)
Sec. 14-65. Definition of authorized emergency vehicle.
Authorized emergency vehicles shall be restricted to those which are defined and authorized under the laws of the State of Missouri. (Ord. 2616, 5.)
Sec. 14-66. Operation of vehicles on approach of authorized emergency vehicles.
Upon the approach of any authorized emergency vehicle, giving audible and visual signal, the operator of every other vehicle shall immediately drive the same to a position as near as possible and parallel to the right-hand edge or curb of the street or roadway, clear of any intersection, and shall stop and remain in such position until the authorized emergency vehicle or vehicles shall have passed, unless otherwise directed by the fire official or a police officer. (Ord. 2616, 6.)
Sec. 14-67. Vehicles following fire apparatus.
It shall be unlawful for the operator of any vehicle, other than one on official business, to follow closer than 300 feet from any fire apparatus traveling in response to a fire alarm, or to drive any vehicle within the block or immediate area where fire apparatus has stopped in answer to a fire alarm. (Ord. 2616, 7.)
Sec. 14-68. Unlawful boarding or tampering with fire department emergency equipment.
A person shall not without proper authorization from the fire official in charge of said fire department emergency equipment, cling to, attach himself to, climb upon or into, board or swing upon any fire department emergency vehicle, whether the same is in motion or at rest, or sound the siren, horn, bell or other sound-producing device thereon, or to manipulate or tamper with, or attempt to manipulate or tamper with any levers, valves, switches, starting devices, brakes, pumps, or any equipment or protective clothing on, or a part of , any fire department emergency vehicle. (Ord. 2616, 8.)
Sec. 14-69. Damage, injury - Fire department equipment or personnel.
It shall be unlawful for any person to damage or deface, or attempt, or conspire to damage or deface any fire department emergency vehicle at any time, or to injure, or attempt to injure or conspire to injure fire department personnel while performing departmental duties. (Ord. 2616, 9.)
Sec. 14-70. Emergency vehicle operation.
(a) The driver of any emergency vehicle, as defined in Section 14-65 of this Ordinance, shall not sound the siren thereon or have the front red light on or disobey any existing traffic regulation, except when said vehicle is responding to an emergency call or when responding to, but not upon returning from a fire.
(b) The driver of an emergency vehicle may:
(1) Park or stand irrespective of the provision of existing traffic regulations;
(2) Proceed past a red or stop signal or other sign, but only after slowing down as may be necessary for safe operations;
(3) Exceed the prima facie speed limit so long as the action does not endanger life or property;
(4) Disregard regulations governing direction of movement or turning in specified directions;
(c) The exemptions herein granted to an emergency vehicle shall apply only when the driver of any such vehicle while in motion sounds audible signal by bell, siren, or exhaust whistle as may be reasonably necessary, and when the vehicle is equipped with at least one lighted lamp displaying a red light visible under normal atmospheric conditions from a distance of 500 feet to the front of such vehicle. (Ord. 2616, 10.)
Sec. 14-71. Blocking fire hydrants and fire department connections.
(a) It shall be unlawful to obscure from view, damage, deface, obstruct or restrict the access to any fire hydrant or any fire department connection for the pressurization of fire suppression systems, including fire hydrants and fire department connections that are located on public or private streets and access lanes, or on private property.
(b) If upon the expiration of the time mentioned in a notice of violation, obstructions or encroachments are not removed, the fire official shall proceed to remove the same. Cost incurred in the performance of necessary work shall be paid from the municipal treasury on certificate of the fire official and with the approval of the chief administrative official; and the legal authority of the municipality shall institute appropriate action for the recovery of such costs. (Ord. 2616, 11.)
Sec. 14-72. Hydrant use approval.
A person shall not use or operate any fire hydrant intended for use of the fire department for fire suppression purposes unless such person first secures a permit for such use from the fire official and the water company having jurisdiction. This Section shall not apply to the use of such hydrants by a person employed by, and authorized to make such use by, the water company having jurisdiction. (Ord. 2616, 12.)