(Published in the Sunday edition of The Duncan Banner, November 30, 2014-1 time) ORDINANCE NO. 2014-2 AN ORDINANCE OF THE MAYOR AND BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE TOWN OF VELMA, STEPHENS COUNTY, STATE OF OKLAHOMA, AMENDING THE TOWN OF VELMA CODE OF ORDINANCES, PART 13, PUBLIC SAFETY, CHAPTER 2, FIRE DEPARTMENT AND SERVICE, BY AMENDING SECTION 13-207 BYLAWS; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY THEREOF; AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY. BE IT ORDAINED BY THE MAYOR AND BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE TOWN OF VELMA, OKLAHOMA: SECTION I. PART 13. PUBLIC SAFETY, CHAPTER 2. FIRE DEPARTMENT AND SERVICE, of the Town of Velma Code of Ordinances is hereby amended by revoking Section 13-207 and replacing it with a new Section 13-207 which shall hereinafter read as follows: Sec. 13-207 BYLAWS. The bylaws of the department shall include the following: 1. All volunteer fire department members are required, when notified, to respond to alarms of fire and other emergencies; 2. A member is required to be present at all regular meetings, called meetings and schools presented for the benefit of the firefighters; 3. At least one regular business meeting of the members shall be held each month; 4. Any member having two (2) unexcused absences in succession or three (3) unexcused absences in a period of three (3) months will be dropped from the fire department rolls; 5. Any member leaving the town for an extended period of time is required to notify the chief; 6. Any member refusing to attend training classes provided for members of the department will be dropped from the fire department rolls; 7. The Fire Chief has the authority to discipline a firefighter and to drop a firefighter from the fire department rolls; 8. Any member of the fire department may be dropped from the fire department rolls or disciplined for the following offenses: a. Conduct unbecoming a firefighter; b. Any act of insubordination; c. Neglect of duty; d. Any violation of rules and regulations governing the fire department; e. Conviction of a felony; f. At the discretion of the Fire Chief in accordance with the Fire Department Disciplinary Procedures. 9. Fire Department Disciplinary Procedures for complaints against firefighters: a. An initial written complaint must be made to the Fire Chief or the Assistant Fire Chief. b. If the Fire Chief determines that an investigation should be done, said investigation will be performed by an outside entity (such as a local police officer or a fire chief from another town). c. The outside entity will conduct an investigation and interview those involved individually, and not in a group atmosphere. d. The outside entity will bring their investigative findings back to the Fire Chief. e. The Fire Chief will then determine the punishment and will implement said punishment. f. If the firefighter being punished disagrees with the findings or punishment, he/she can appeal to the Town Board of Trustees by submitting an appeal within thirty (30) days of the punishment being implemented by the Fire Chief g. The Town Board of Trustees will set an appeals hearing and notify all parties by certified mail. h. The appeals hearing will be held and a final decision will be made. SECTION II. Severability. If any section, subsection, sentence, clause, phrase or portion of this Ordinance is, for any reason, held invalid or unconstitutional by any court of competent jurisdiction, such portion shall be deemed a separate, distinct, and independent provision, and such holding shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this ordinance. SECTION ill. Emergency. It being immediately necessary for the preservation of the public, health, peace and safety of the Town of Velma and the inhabitants thereof, an emergency is hereby declared to exist by reason whereof this Ordinance shall be in full force and effect immediately from and after its passage, approval as provided by law. Adopted and approved this 10th day of November, 2014. /s/SHAWN ENLOW Mayor ATTEST: /s/Jalelah Roberts
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