2.20.060 Fire-rescue commission--Powers and duties.

A. To coordinate the presently existing fire-rescue departments throughout the county so as to obtain maximum fire rescue coverage of the entire county, commensurate with the best utilization of dollars available;

B. To develop and enforce minimum standards of operation for fire-rescue departments operating within the county and receiving public funds. Said standards shall be not less than the general standards of present operation and as reasonably desirable for public protection;

C. To develop and implement a comprehensive coordinated fire-rescue protection plan for the new district. The plan shall be developed within eighteen (18) months after the fire-rescue commission is appointed and certified. The fire-rescue commission shall inquire of the municipalities in the county as to the desire of each to participate in such plan, and coordinate such participation. The commission shall have the option to engage an outside consultant for this purpose;

D. To enter into contracts with public and private entities having fire and/or rescue capabilities for the provision of the same within the new district. Said contracts, which are subject to approval by the council, shall be in writing, for one year or more years at the time, and based upon reasonable approved budgets and handled in accordance with sound business and accounting practices;

E. To approve areas of responsibility for various fire and/or rescue organizations, to reassign areas of responsibility as needed, and to determine locations of any needed additional fire departments;

F. To administer funds authorized by the county council and derived from an annual ad valorem tax levy by county council on all taxable property within the district. Said funds shall be used exclusively for the purpose of providing fire protection, prevention and rescue services within the new district;

G. To provide fire-fighting and rescue equipment to be utilized within any unprotected area of the county by various fire and/or rescue organizations as directed by said commission and to own, construct or erect such physical facilities as may be needed;

H. To coordinate existing equipment within the county for providing fire-rescue services to obtain maximum use of said equipment for the purpose of mutual aid. The ownership of equipment and property now owned by each district shall remain with that district. Any change of ownership will be approved by the fire control board and the owning fire department board. Any money generated by the sale of such equipment and property will remain with the department and will not be considered as part of the department’s annual budget;

I. To receive and disburse finds subject to the provisions for such as established by the Colleton County council or grants from other governmental entities, agencies, boards or commissions;

J. 1. To recommend engagement of a paid county fire coordinator and staff as may be necessary, and setup guidelines for such staff so as to provide maximum coordination and utilization of county-funded agencies delivering fire protection and prevention, and plan and coordinate training for personnel engaged in delivery of fire and rescue services. The county fire coordinator should have qualifications as set forth in a job description. The job description shall delineate the role and responsibilities of the fire coordinator position.

2. The coordinator and his staff shall in all respects be county employees and shall comply with all county ordinances and policies concerning personnel procedures, administrative procedures, purchasing procedures and the like as directed by the county administrator. However, the coordinator and his staff shall be selected by the commission and the commission shall command, direct and supervise the coordinator and his staff in the substantive performance of their duties, provided that the coordinator shall upon request, report fully to the council or the county administrator concerning any matters;

K. To recommend for approval of Colleton County council the adoption of such codes, declarations or regulations as may be needed to insure that life and health regulations as they pertain to fire prevention within the county are met;

L. To recommend for approval of Colleton County council the borrowing of funds for the purposes and objective set forth herein;

M. To insure that all agencies with which contracts are made to provide fire protection, prevention and rescue services are operating at an acceptable level of organization and delivery service of, and are funded on an acceptable level which enables at least minimum standards of operations for the services to be delivered;

N. To develop and enforce guidelines adequate to require all future public water systems installed in the county to provide water for fire protection and to recommend for adoption such county and municipal ordinances as may be necessary to enforce such guidelines;

O. To establish predetermined response procedures for all fire and rescue calls within the county. Theses are to be mutual or automatic as may be appropriate and negotiable;

P. To employ or compensate firemen as may be appropriate and as funds may be available in order to develop future fire-rescue capacities;

Q. To have such other powers, duties and functions, not inconsistent with the provisions hereof, as provided by Colleton County council;

R. The commission shall cause to be audited on an annual basis any entity which provides fire protection and/or rescue services within the new district pursuant to contract. (Ord. 93-O-17 § 3.02, 1993)