HomeMy WebLinkAbout2417 Volunteer Firefighter Service, Achievement and Valor Recognition ProgramORDINANCE NO. 2q- f'7
AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING A VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTER
SERVICE, ACHIEVEMENT AND VALOR RECOGNITION PROGRAM,
CREATING A NEW CHAPTER 2.42 OF THE PORT TOWNSEND
MUNICIPAL CODE
WHEREAS, the City Council finds and declares that there are from time to time certain
special, selfless acts of superior caring, courage, bravery, and valor by a volunteer firefighter(s)
that contribute to the extension of the life or protection of property of citizens of this
community, making it desirable to foster excellence in public service and heighten community
pride through an awards program to acknowledge an act of valor; and
WHEREAS, the City Council finds and declares that in addition, volunteer firefighters
of the city should receive special recognition for achievement and longevity of service with the
Port Townsend Fire Department and the citizens of the city, Now, Therefor,
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND, WASHINGTON, DO
ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. A new chapter 2.42 is added to the Port Townsend Municipal Code, to read
as follows:
Chapter 2.42
PROGRAM OF ACHIEVEMENT,
VALOR RECOGNITION, AND
LONGEVITY OF SERVICE AWARDS
Section 2.42.010 Policy. It shall be the policy of the City of Port Townsend to allow
recognition and expression of its appreciation, in a manner appropriate for a governmental
agency, to those who volunteer their time or services by serving as volunteer firefighters, as well
as for acts of valor by volunteer firefighters.
Section 2.42.020 Authority. The awards program approved and adopted by this chapter
is authorized by RCW Title 35, and the general powers granted to Second Class Cities, including
but not limited to §35.23.120, § 35.23.440(i)(21) and (54), 35.24.090, 35.24.020, and
35.24.290(1) and (17).
Section 2.42.030 Achievement, Longevity of Service, and Valor programs established.
The City hereby establishes a program of awards to reward volunteer firefighters of the City of
Port Townsend Fire Department for achievement and distinguished service, as well as acts of
valor, to ithe citizens and property owners of the City of Port Townsend, which are of benefit
to the City. Participation shall be limited to volunteer firefighters unless specifically provided
otherwise. The program shall be implemented in accordance with the document entitled "Fire
Department Annual Awards Program," (hereinafter "awards program") which is hereby adopted
and incorporated by reference.
. .Section 2.42,040 Awards program administration. The Fire Chief shall issue
administrative rules and procedures for the administration of the awards program and further
defining the eligibility and criteria consistent with the following guidelines:
1. The recipients shall be selected upon either an objective basis that reflects time,
effort or skills donated or applied as volunteer firefighters, or upon a subjective basis and
evaluative basis that reflects a judgment on .the merits of the services provided (e.g.,
"employee of the year");
2. The primary value of the award, memento or apparel presented shall be in thought
expressed rather, than the intrinsic worth of the object or the food and entertainment
provided; and
3. The ceremony and presentations shall be in keeping with the pattern and practices
of governmental agencies and public service organizations that solicit and draw upon
donated services in giving recognition to people who volunteer their time and skill for
the support of City programs and activities.
Section 2.42.050. Achievement/Longevity of Service categories. The following category
of awards is established:
A. Continuous Service awards:
(1) Continuous service awards shall be available to active volunteer
firefighters in the form of service pins.
(2) Each volunteer firefighter completing continuous City service in
increments of 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 years shall receive a service award as set
forth in the Awards Program.
B. Service Achievement awards:
(I) Achievement awards shall be available to all active volunteer firefighters
in the form of an achievement pin.
(2) Each firefighter completing the department's training requirements to the
rank of firefighter Level I, emergency medical technician, defibrillation
technician, pharyngeo-tracheal lumen airway technician, intravenous therapy
technician, engineer, lieutenant, captain, assistant chief, training officer, or fire
investigator shall receive a service award as set forth in the Awards Program.
C. Retirement awards. A service award shall be available to all retiring volunteer
firefighters.
D. Firefighter and Emergency Medical Technician of the Year award. A recognition
award shall be available to one or more volunteer firefighters recognizing outstanding service
to the Department and community as a firefighter, and one recognition award recognizing an
emergency medical technician for same.
Section 2.42.060 Valor Award. The awards program for the City's recognition of acts
of valor by volunteer firefighters of the City of Port Townsend Fire Department shall be
administered in accordance with the following rules and regulations:
1. An award shall be a symbol of recognition, medal, or plaque of a design and/or
mounted in a form approved by the Chief of the Fire Department. In addition to an
award, an appropriately worded certificate showing the purpose of the award shall be
signed by the Mayor of the City and the Chief of the Department.
2. There is created the Valor Award selection committee to consist of three (3)
members including the Fire Chief, Assistant Fire Chief, and Mayor.
Section 2.42.070 Program subject to budget allocations: The awards program shall be
subject to the availability of budgeted funds for the Fire Department as determined by the City
Council each year when setting the annual budget for the City or any amendments thereto.
Section 2.42.080 Severability. If any clause, sentence, paragraph, section or part of this
Chapter is held to be invalid or unconstitutional by a court of competent jurisdiction, such order
or judgment shall not affect the validity or constitutionality of the remainder of any part of this
Chapter. To this end, the provisions of each clause, sentence, paragraph, section or part of this
law are declared severable.
This Ordinance shall be effective immediately after passage and publication as provided
by law.
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Read for the first, second and third times and passed by the City Council of~e City of
Port To)vnsend, Washingto regular meeting thereof, held this 3"g day of
Zgo~. , 1994.
Mayor
Attest:
David A. Grove, Clerk/Treasurer
'Tfn~ot~
~c .~a~, City AApproved as to form:
ttorn-ey
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1. FIRE DEPARTMENT ANNUAL AWARD PROGRAM
By Ordinance No. , the City Council declared its recognition that volunteer
firefighters contribute significant commitment of time, superior courage, and extra service to
the Fire Department and to the citizens of this community, making it desirable to foster
excellence in public service, promote a team spirit, and heighten morale through an annual
awards program, to acknowledge superior contributions of volunteer firefighters to the City
and the community.
1.1 PROGRAM
The following program shall govern the awards for the City's recognition of service and/or
achievement and/or valor by volunteers of the City of Port Townsend Fire Department.
1.2 ELIGIBILITY
All volunteer firefighters of the City of Port Townsend Fire Department are eligible for
receipt of an award in accordance with the following provisions:
1.3 AWARD(S)
An award shall be a symbol of recognition consisting of a pin, medal, or plaque, of a design
and/or mounted in a form approved by the Chief of the Fire Department. In addition to an
award, an appropriately worded certificate showing the purpose of the award may be signed
by the Mayor of the City and the Chief of the Department.
1.4~ AWARD CATEGORIES
The Chief or Assistant Chief of the Fire Department shall be responsible for recordation and
selection of volunteer firefighters eligible for longevity and service awards, and performing
other duties related to award presentation consistent with established guidelines and criteria
herein.
1.5 EMPLOYEE AWARD SELECTION
The Chief or Assistant Chief of the Fire Department shall be responsible for selecting
candidates for each award, and performing other duties related to award presentation
consistent with the guidelines and criteria established herein.
1.6 PRESENTATION GUIDELINES
"Annual" shall be known as the time period of December 1 to November 30 of a given year,
and presentation made during the month of December for Continuous Service Award, and
any given month for all other awards.
(1) Retirement awards of 20 or more years of service shall also be made at a
regular meeting of the City Council to be determined by the 'Mayor.
(2) Valor awards shall be made at a regular meeting of the City Council to be
determined by the Mayor.
(3) The cost and expenses of providing such recognition and appreciation shall be
budgeted, or noted in the City's annual budget, as an identified sum.
(4) The primary Value of the memento or apparel presented or the occasion shall
be in the thought expressed rather than in the intrinsic worth of the object, or the food
or entertainment provided.
1.7 THE FOLLOWING CATEGORY OF AWARDS IS ESTABLISHED:
A. Continuous Service awards:
(1) Continuous service awards shall be available to active volunteer firefighters in
the form of service pins.
(2) Each volunteer firefighter completing continuous City service in increments of
5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 years shall receive a service award as set forth in the Awards
Program.
B. Service Achievement awards:
(1) Achievement awards shall be available to all active volunteer firefighters in the
form of an achievement pin.
(2) Each firefighter completing the department's training requirements to the rank
of firefighter Level I, emergency medical technician, defibrillation technician,
pharyngeo-tracheat lumen airway technician, intravenous therapy technician, engineer,
lieutenant, captain, assistant chief, training officer, or fire investigator shall receive a
service award as set forth in the Awards Program.
C. Retirement awards. A service award shall be available to all retiring volunteer
firefighters.
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D. Firefighter and Emergency Medical Technician of the Year award. A
recognition award shall be available to one or more volunteer firefighters recognizing
outstanding service to the Department and community as a firefighter, and one recognition
award recognizing an emergency medical technician for same.
1.8 VALOR AWARD SELECTION COMMITTEE AND DUTIES
There is created the valor award selection committee to consist of three (3) members
consisting of the Chief, Assistant Chief, and Mayor.
The review committee, upon receipt of a nomination for a valor award, shall be responsible
for screening nominations, selecting the eligible candidates for the award, and performing
other duties related to the award presentation.
1.9 COMMITTEE SELECTION GUIDELINES AND CRITERIA
The following procedure for making and consideration of the valor award is established.
The Fire Chief shall issue administrative rules and procedures, as appropriate, for the
administration of this award program and further defining the eligibility and nomination
criteria, consistent with the following requirements:
(1) Nominations must be submitted on prescribed forms adopted by the
Committee;
(2) Nominations must be signed, but all names will remain undisclosed until
consideration of the nomination has been completed;
(3) The Committee shall receive, record, and acknowledge receipt of nomination;
(4) The Committee shall evaluate each nomination based upon review criteria to
be developed by the Committee that will determine the merits of the nomination,
whether the action justifies an award;
(5) All communications to the Committee Shall be addressed to the Chief of the
Fire Department.
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