st. simons island volunteer fire …. simons island volunteer division - 3 - glynn county fire...

CONSTITUTION

AND

BY-LAW’S

St. Simons Island, Georgia

Chartered February 1952

ST. SIMONS ISLAND VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT

St. Simons Island Volunteer Division - 2 - Glynn County Fire Department

ST. SIMONS ISLAND

VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT

CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS

Chartered February 1952 Amended July 1994

Amended February 2001 Amended January 2007

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ARTICLE I Title and Ojective ARTICLE II Definitions ARTICLE III Election of Members ARTICLE IV Duties of Members ARTICLE V Officers ARTICLE VI Election of Officers ARTICLE VII Duties of Chiefs ARTICLE VIII Duties of the Secretary ARTICLE IX Duties of the Treasurer ARTICLE X Committees ARTICLE XI Meetings and Quorum ARTICLE XII Impeachment of Officers ARTICLE XIII Dismissal of Members ARTICLE XIV Privileges ARTICLE XV Rules of Order ARTICLE XVI Order of Business ARTICLE XVII Amendments ARTICLE XVIII Dues ARTICLE XIX Training and Classification ARTICLE XX Fire Department Property


ARTICLE I Title and Objective

Section I - This organization shall be known as the St. Simons Island Volunteer Fire Department. Section II - Its objective shall be the preservation and protection of life and property from and during such fires or disasters as may occur on St. Simons Island and Sea Island and to assist when possible at fires and disasters in nearby territories.

ARTICLE II Definitions

Active: Those members whose attendance record is maintained at 60% or greater for all meetings, drills, and fires the organization is involved with. Auxiliary: Those members providing assistance or support, aiding, helping. Business: The clerical and financial procedings required for the operation of the organization. Career: A chosen pursuit; someone’s work for another in return for financial or other compensation. Fire Department: An organization whose purpose is preventing and putting out fires. Fire Fighter: A person, member of a fire department, who is charged with putting out fires. Fire Fighting: The act of putting out or extinguishing fires. Inactive: Those members whose attendance record has not been maintained at the required 60%. Public Safety: Any governmental or private agency or organization recoginized as being involved with a Fire Department, Police Department, Security Agency, EMS, or medical profession. Training: The activity intended to further ones knowledge and skills, either acidemically or practical, with reqards to proper fire fighting and rescue techniques. Training requirements shall be maintained as required by The Glynn County Fire Department. Volunteer: A person who renders aid, performs a service, or assumes an obligation of their own free will; without external persuasion or compulsion, and without legal obligation, payment, or valuable consideration.


ARTICLE III Election of Members

Section I – Active Fire Fighters: Any person, a citizen of the United States of at least eighteen years of age who has been a resident of, own property in, be employed in, or doing 90 percent or more of their personal business in Glynn County, Georgia for a period of six consectutive months, shall be eligible for active membership in the department so long as they pass the minimum requirements as set forth for “Volunteer Fire Fighters” by local, state, and federal laws, ordinances, codes, and/or requirements. Members must be voted into the originization by a two-thirds majority after attending at least two consecutive meetings and being cleared by a background investigation and all other Glynn County Fire Department requirements. Canidates for membership must be present at the meeting for action on their application to take place. Section II - Probationary Fire Fighters: Members shall be listed as probationary members until they have served at least one year and have successufully completed a fire school or training program meeting the requirements of N.F.P.A. 1001 or other requirement as outlined by the Glynn County Fire Department and/or the State of Georgia. Any probationary fire fighter failing to maintain the required 60% attendance shall be automatically dropped from the rolls. Section III - Reserve Members: All members who shall have served a term of ten consecutive years in this department, and are clear on the company’s record or have otherwise earned the right for such consideration by outstanding performance or have been disabled, may upon the request be placed on the role of reserve members. Reserve members shall be active in special duties and details of the department, but shall not activaly participate in fire suppression at fire scenes. Reserve members shall be exempt from active duty requirements. Section IV - Honorary Members: When the department wishes to honor a citizen, he or she may be elected to honorary membership, exempt from active duty requirements. Section V - Inactive Members: Those members who have not maintained an attendance record of 60% of all drills, meetings, and fires each quarter shall be listed as inactive. Inactive members shall not be entitled to vote, participate at fire scenes, nor be allowed to hold office. Inactive members shall turn in all department issued equipment upon the request of the First or Second Assistant Chief. Inactive members shall have six months to achieve the 60% attendance requirement prior to being removed from the rolls of the organization. Section VI – Active Career Personnel: Those members who are employed by any public safety department or agency. These members employed in the public safety field are exempt from the 60% attendance and training requirements, while employed, due to the extended and involuntary hours of service involved. Active career personnel shall participate at fire scenes in the capacity of their chosen career.


Section VII – Auxiliary Members: Those members giving assistance or support at department activities and functions. Auxiliary members shall be active in special duties and details of the department. Auxiliary Members are exempt from active duty requirements. Section VIII - Limits: The number of active and probationary members shall be limited to thirty active members, with the reserve, career, auxiliary, and honorary membership being unlimited

ARTICLE IV Duties of Members

Section I - It shall be the duty of all members of this company to obey all reasonable and safe commands of their officers and the officers and personel of the Glynn County Fire Department. Section II - It shall be the duty of active members to be prompt at all fires, meetings, and drills. Section III - No active member shall be excused from attending any fire, meeting or drill except on the grounds of absence from town, sickness or of absolute necessity. Section IV - Every member of this department must conduct them self in a professional manner at all times. Section V – It shall be the duty of probationary members to be present at all fires, meetings, and drills and to assist the active personnel present.

ARTICLE V Officers

Section I - A First Assistant Chief and Second Assistant Chief, a Secretary and a Treasurer shall be elected by the membership of the St. Simons Island Volunteer division of the Glynn County Fire Department. The offices of First Assistant Chief and Treasurer may not be held concurrently by one person, nor shall the position of Secretary be held concurrently by one person with any other of the positions listed above. Section II - Captains and Lieutenants shall be appointed by the First Assistant Chief.

ARTICLE VI Election of Officers

Section I – Canidates for office shall have be considered as “active” as set forth in Acticle II. No Inactive member shall be considered for candicatcy for any office.


Section II – New candidates for office must be present at the December meeting for their candiicatcy to be considered. Incumbant candidates shall be exempt from this requirement. Section III - Officers to be elected under Article V, Section I, shall be elected by secret ballot by majority vote of members present. Section IV – Officers, once elected in accordinance with this section, shall serve the following terms:

1st Assistant Chief – 2 years with no limits beginning December 2002 2nd Assistant Chief – 2 years with no limits beginning December 2003

Secretary – 2 years with no limits beginning December 2002 Treasurer – 2 years with no limits beginning December 2003 In the event that a position is vacated prior to the completion of the term then the position shall be filled with a replacement at a special called election to finish out the term.

ARTICLE VII Duties of Chiefs

Section I - It shall be the duty of the Chief to establish rules and regulations, and to perform all other necessary actions for the proper and efficient operation of the department. Section II - It shall be the duty of the First Assistant Chief to call all regular and special meetings; to preside at all meetings; to decide all points of order that may arise, subject to an appeal from their decision to the members of the department, but on such an appeal a majority vote of all members present shall be necessary to reverse their decision. It shall further be the duty of the First Assistant Chief to exercise general supervision of the affairs of the department; to immediately appoint committees, in consultation with the Chief of The Glynn County Fire Department, as early as practicable following the commissioning of new officers as elected at the annual meeting; to sign all orders drawn on the Treasurer; to carry out and enforce the Constitution and By-Law’s of the department to the best of their ability and to perform such other duties as may be deemed proper for the best interest of the department. Section III - In the event of the inability of the First Assistant Chief to perform their duties, the Second Assistant Chief shall perform such duties. Section IV - It shall be the duty of the First Assistant Chief to assist the Chief of the Glynn County Fire Department as directed in the discharge of their duties. Section V - It shall be the duties of the Assistant Chiefs to serve as ex-officio members of all committees except the Finance Committee. Section VI - It shall be the duties of Captains and Lieutenants to perform any and all duties as directed by the First Assistant Chief.


ARTICLE VIII Duties of the Secretary

Section I - It shall be the duty of the Secretary to keep a record of all proceedings of the Company; to call the role of all active members; to record all absences; and to give each active member due notice of any special meetings. The Secretary shall notify each person elected to membership and furnish them with a copy of these By-Law’s. Section II – In the event of the inability of the Secretary to perform their duties, the position shall be performed by a member of the Membership and By-laws Committee.

ARTICLE IX Duties of the Treasurer

Section I - It shall be the duty of the Treasurer to collect all moneys due the Company, giving proper receipt thereof; to keep a regular account of all the money received and to pay out on the order of the Company when such orders are properly signed by the First Assistant Chief; and to give monthly reports to the Company. They shall submit their books and official documents to the examination of an audit committee at least once a year. Section II – In the event of the inability of the Treasurer to perform their duties, the position shall be performed by a member of the Finance Committee.

ARTICLE X Committees

Section I - The following positions and/or committees shall be appointed as outlined in Article VII, Section II, and shall perform such duties outlined herein or assigned to them in the best interest of the department:

(1) Education and Training Committee: Prepare and present a program of education and training within the department and take such steps as are necessary to make the program effective. The Committee head shall hold the position of Training Officer with other committee members being assistant training officers and to review records of individuals who fail to maintain attendance as set forth in Article XI, Section VI.

(2) Finance Committee: Audit or cause to be audited the accounts of the Treasurer and supervise the financial matters of the department under the direction of the officers; assist the Treasurer in the preparation of his annual report and make recommendations to the officers. The finance committee shall also prepare and present an annual budget for the upcoming fiscal year. This budget shall be presented no later that the March business meeting.


(3) Grievance Committee: Examine complaints or petitions as presented in writing to the department by the membership or general public and make reports thereon at the following meeting. No complaint or petition not presented in writing will be addressed.

(4) House Committee: Procure supplies and equipment approved for procurement by the department and hold general supervision of the activities carried on within the department premises subject to the approval of the officers; see that the properties of the department are maintained and kept in good order. The committee head shall hold the position of Quarter Master with other committee members being assistants.

(5) Membership and By-Law’s Committee: Seek out potential members and take application; determine qualifications of applicants and pass on fitness; make recommendation as to the acceptance or dismissal of a member; submit applications to membership for vote and advise applicant of department decision; introduce new members; keep roster of membership up to date in accordance with the constitution and by-laws; function in all matters as regards members absenteeism due to sickness or other reasons; represent the membership in all matters pertaining to complaints and petitions as referred by the grievance committee.

(6) Wellness Committee: Visit all members who may be confined and make proper presentations on behalf of the department. The committee head shall hold the position of Chaplain.

(7) Ways and Means Committee: Plan projects for the year and present to membership; devise plan to effect desired results and make such plans effective.

Section II – Committees shall meet as necessary to maintain the smooth and continuous operation of the organization. Committee meetings shall be scheduled at a time decided on by the committee members. All committee meetings shall be open to the membership as defined in Article IV.

ARTICLE XI Meetings and Quorum

Section I - There shall be 12 monthly meetings of the Company yearly on each first Tuesday for the purpose of conducting the business of the department. Section II - There shall be 36 weekly meetings held on each second, third and fourth Tuesday of each month for training. Section III - It shall be the privilege of the First Assistant Chief to call additional meetings for business or training as required. Section IV - The annual meeting shall be the first Tuesday of each December, when officers of the Company shall be elected. Officers elected at this meeting shall begin preforming their duties immediately, with the assistance of the outgoing officers until the new officers are sworn into office.


Section V - Quorum: five members and an Assistant Chief shall constitute a quorum, duly empowered to transact business at any regular or special called meeting. Section VI - It shall be the duty of both active and probationary Fire Fighters to be in attendance at 60% of drills, meetings and fires during any one quarter of the year. Any regular Fire Fighter failing in attendance shall be refered to the training committee for review of records and determination of active or inactive status. Section VII – It shall be the duty of all elected officers to be in attendance at 60% of all drills, meetings and fires during any one quarter of the year. Any elected officer failing in attendance shall be subject to impeachment as set forth in Article XII, Section I. Section VIII – No regularly scheduled meeting, business or training, shall be cancealed, postponed or rescheduled except in the event of local emergancy situation and/or organized event.

ARTICLE XII Impeachment of Officers

Section I - Any elected officer of the organization may be impeached, for the abuse or neglegance of their authority or misconduct in their office, and removed from their office by a two-thirds majority vote of the members present, providing the charge against them be made in writing and presented at a meeting at least one month before any vote be taken upon it.

ARTICLE XIII Dismissal of Members

Section I - For failure to comply with the By-Law’s, Rules and Regulations of the department to the best of their ability, any member will be instantly dismissed from active membership and can be removed from the rolls by a majority vote of the members present at any regular meeting. Providing the charge or deficiency against them be made in writing and presented at a meeting at least one month before any vote be taken upon it.

ARTICLE XIV Privileges

Section I - It shall be the privilege of Active Fire Fighters, Reserve Members, Active Carreer Personnel, and Probationary Fire Fighters to take part in all affairs of the Company and to have an equal vote in the transaction of all Company business.


Section II - It shall be the privilege of honorary members to take part in all the affairs of the company and to be present at all company meetings and to offer suggestions and assistance, but shall have no vote in the meetings. Section III – It shall be the privilege of auxiliary members to take part in all the affairs of the company and to be present at all company meetings and to offer suggestions and assistance, but shall have no vote in the meeting. Section IV - Inactive Fire Fighters shall not participate at fires, but are required to attend drills and meetings and must maintain their attendance as described in Article III, Section VI. Inactive members shall have no vote in the transaction of Company business while classified as inactive.

ARTICLE XV Rules of Order

Section I - The usual parliamentary rules of order shall be followed at all meetings to insure full and fair discussion and debate, orderliness and decorum, majority rule, protection of minority rights, and conservation of time.

ARTICLE XVI Order of Business

Section I - The order of business for the volunteer meetings shall be as follows:

(1) Call to order (2) Reading of the minutes of previous meeting (3) Treasurer’s report (4) Presentation of bills and action on same (5) Report on committees (6) Nominations of candidates for membership (7) Election of officers and new members (8) Unfinished business and miscellaneous business (9) New business (10) Roll of active members (quarterly) (11) Adjournment

ARTICLE XVII Amendments

Section I - No alteration or amendment shall be made to this constitution unless proposed in writing at a regular meeting, which amendment shall then be tabled until the next regular meeting, when it may be acted upon and adopted by two-thirds majority of the members present.


ARTICLE XVIII Dues

Section I - The annual dues of this company shall be determined by the body at the annual meeting. Such dues shall be paid in full to the Treasurer on or before the first meeting in February. Those members wishing to prorate dues, may do so on writen arrangement with Treasurer. Members delinquent in payment of dues for a period of 90 days shall be automatically dropped from the roll.

ARTICLE XIX Training and Classification

Section I - Training: All active Fire Fighters shall actively partake in and assist in all training programs. Current state requirements for certification as a Fire Fighter must be met at time of entrance into the department or the new member must be listed as a Probationary Fire Fighter until such requirements are met.

ARTICLE XX Fire Department Property

All fire fighting gear: helmet, boots, gloves, rope hose tool, bunker pants, nomex hood, pagers or any property belonging to, or issued by, the Glynn County Fire Department, must be returned to the property officer, chief officers, or captains, when a member has been declared inactive, or when that member leaves the department, or is suspended or voted out. Failure to return this property will constitute a theft of Fire Department property, and will be turned over to the Glynn County Fire Chief’s office for necessary action.

Chartered February 1952 Amended July 1994

Amended February 2001 Amended January 2007

________________________________________________ _________________ Chief, Glynn County Fire Department Date ________________________________________________ _________________ Volunteer Chief Date ________________________________________________ _________________ 1st Assistant Volunteer Chief Date

st. simons island volunteer fire …. simons island volunteer division - 3 - glynn county fire...

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