The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-12-30
CITV ORDINANCES.


OF the city of Philadelphia do ordan That the
Fire Department shall consist of seven Fire
Commissioners, one Chief Engineer, five Assist
ant Engineers, and as many foremen, engine
men, hosemen, hook andladder men, and
other persons to be divided into companies, as
the number of engines and other fire apparatus
belonging to the city shall from time to time
require
Section g. The said Fire Commissioners shall
be citizens of Philadelphia of good character,
not under thirty years OF age, VITO shall serve
without compensation, and be elected as fol-
lows: Three by Select Council aud four by Com
mon Council on the last stated meeting in
December, 1870. The said Commissioners, when
elected, shall draw for their respective terms of
Office, three for the term of two years and four
for the term of four years, and every second
year thereafter, at their first stated meeting in
the month of February, there shall be elected
in the same manner three or four persons, as
the case may be, by the Select or Common
Council, in which the vacancy may occur, to
serve Tor the term of four years. The minority
in each Chamber shall at all times be repre-
sented by one member in said Board of Fire
Commissioners. The said Commissioners to
hold their offices until their successors are duly
elected and qualified.
Section 3, That in case of death, resignation,
disqualification or removal of, or the neglect or
refusal to perform the duties incumbent upon
their offices by any or all of said Commits
sioners, the Councils shall proceed at
once to fill such place or places by new
election, as above provided, and for the unex-
pired term.
=
shall proceed at once to organize department,
to consist of not exceeding twenty-five steam
fire engines and five hook and ladder compa-
nies, and thereafter such number of companies
as they may from time to time be authorized
and directed by Councils They shall have the
appointment of and entire control over all Off
GERS and employees, and of the property of the
Fire Department, and shall be held strictly
accountable therefor to Councils, by whom,
upon conviction of derecton of duty, mafea-
sance in office, or violation of any of the provi
sions of this ordinance, after a hearing before
the Joint Committee on Fire Department, they
shall be removed from Office
Section 5. The said Fire Commissioners shall
hold at least two stated meetings monthly and
keep correct record of all their proceedings,
subject at all times to the inspection of the
Mayor and Councils, or their committees, and
shall annually in the month of January pre-
pare an accurate report to Councils of the
state of the Department They shall have au-
thority, in conjunction with the Committee on
\ Fire Department, to fit up and appropriate to
their use and that of the Engineers suitable
rooms as offices, the necessary expense of
which shall be betrayed out of the funds ap-
propriated for the use of the Department, and
the President of the Commissioners shall have
authority to draw warrants upon the City
Treasurer for such sum or sums of money as
they may from time to time require not ex-
ceeding the appropriations by Councils. Pro-
vided that all bills for expenditures shall first
be submitted to and approved by the Commit
tee on Fire Department. They shall have power
to suspend or expel any member of any fire
company and to reorganZe any company and
they shall also adopt suitable uniform to be
worn by the officers and men. The said Fire
Commissioners shall also have authority to make
such rules and regulations for the government,
discipline, and good order of the Department
and for the extinguishment of fires, as they
may think necessary and expedient; provided
such rules and regulations be not inconsistent
with any ordinance of Councils. All meetings
OF the Fire Commissioners shall be open to the
public.
Section 6. That on the third day of January,
1871, the Fire Commissioners, as herein pro-
yided for, shall meet and organize, and elect
from their number President They shall
also elect Secretary and Messenger, who, by
! virtue of their Offices shall be members of the
( Fire Department The Secretary shall also
perform the duties of clerk to the Chief En-
gineer, and the Messenger shall also be mes
senger to the Chief Engineer. The said Fire
Commissioners shall also give public notice by
advertisement, in at least three newspapers, for
one week, that they are prepared to receive
D. applications for membership in the Fire Depart
3 ment and proposals for the sale or lease to the
city of such fire apparatus, houses, horses, and
other property needed by them for the purposes
+ of the Department.
Fire Department shall be persons of good moral
character, and shall retain their respective
positions for and during good behavior, and for
such times as they perform their duties harmo-
+ niously with their associates and satisfactorily
to the Fire Commissioners. They shall not be
subject to removal on account of any political,
religious, or other sentiment entertained by
them, SO long as such opinion or sentiment does
not interfere with the faithful and efficient dis
charge of their duties members of the Fire
Department.
Section s. That the salaries of the officers and
employees of the Fire Department shall be as
follows:-
Chief Engineer two thousand five hundred
dollars per annum (S25O0.)
Secretary of the Fire Commissioners and
Clerk OF the Chief Engineer, twelve hundred
dollars per annum (S1200)
! Messenger of the Fire Commissioners, eight
! hundred dollars per annun ($S00)
Assistant Engineers, each one thousand two
hundred dollars per annum (Sl2O0O
x Enginemen, each one thousand dollars per
& annum ($l000)
4 FiremeD, each eight hundred dollars per
Tillermen and drivers, each seven hundred
and fifty dollars per annum ($750.)
Foreman, each four hundred and fifty dollars
| per annum ($450)
And the Hose and Hook-and-ladder men each
three hundred and sixty dollars per annum
($36O). And all of the said salaries shall be pay
able monthly.
Section O. Every officer and member of the
Fire Department SHALL before entering upon his
duties, sign the following agreement, to be
deposited with the Fire Commissioners
/ II, A. b, having been appointed member of
the Philadelphia Fire Department. hereby agree
70 abide by all the ordinances Of the Councils
Yhnd rules and regulations of the Fire Commis-
>sioners relating thereto"
ia Any officer or member who shall neglect or
\ refuse to sign the same shall not be entitled to
receive any compensation whatsoever.
Section 10. No person under tWenty-one
years of age shall be an officer or member of the
Fire Department, nor shall any person be an
officer or member who is not legal voter in the
city OF Philadelphia; and no person holding office
of any kind under the United States, Common
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