The daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1873-1877, 1873-12-16

An Ordinance
Regulating the Fire Department and defining
the duties Of the officers and members

Regulating the Fire Department and defining
the duties Of the officers and members
thereof.
SECTION /. Be II ordained oy hte City Council
Of the City Of Rock Island, That the nre depart:
meut of The City of Rock Island snail consist OF |
one chief engineer one assistant engineer, one ire
warden for each ward, and such hook and ladder
men, engine men and hose men as the city council
Are wardens of their respective wards.
"a The chief engineer shall in all cases OF nre
have sole and absolute control over all the mem
bers of the fire department. He shall also al all
times have the general direction and management |
Of all fire engines, hose hooks and ladders, buckets
and other apparatus beloJ Jgng 10 the nre depart |
ment and shall be responsible for the safety and
good condition Of the same He shall twice in each
SSear on the first Monday in March and August, re-
nort to the city council the condition of the fire de-
partment and the engines and other apparatus be- |
f5nging thereto, and shall recommend such atera- !
lions improvements and additions thereto as by |
him may be deemed eXpedient
So The assistant engineer shall exercise the |
duties of the chief .ineer during his absence and
in general have control over the fire department |
subordinate to him.
niss of engine men, hose men and hook and ladder
men Us the city council may, the suggestion OF
the chief engineer from time TO time direct; they
shall be appointed by the city council and receive
their commission from the clerk; but person
under the age of eighteen years shall be admitted
amember OF such company; it shall be the duty OF
The fremen to attend to the engines and other fire
apparatus, and the buildings wherein the same are
kept lor which said company may be paid by the
shall be general review of the fre department In
Nav Of each year under the direction OF the chief
engineer, and on day to be appointed by him
DubIic notice of which shall be given a. least two
weeks before the day appointed for such review.
On the day appointed for such revisw 1t shah be
the duty Of every member of any division Of the fire
dnartment TO appear at the designated place IL his
appropriate uniform; and the different companies
shall bring their respective engines and other fire
apparatus Any member OF the fire department
Who shall fail to appear at the general review or
who shall appear without his uniform, or improp-
erly equipped, shall forfeit sum not more than
many to which such person belongs, which penalty
and the manner of collecting the same, may be
prescribed by the several bylaws OF the respective
S5 Each of said companies may adopt such con-
stitutiOns, bylaws and rules for their regulation
and government subordinate to the ordinances of
this city as they may deem best calculated to ac-
compsh the objects of their organization; and
each of said companies shall on the trs Monday In
January in each yea choose from their number a
foreman and clerk; and a foreman OF the hose
company running with such fire company, and such
other officers as may be required by their respec-
s6 The different fire companies under the di-
rectiou of their proper officers shall upon every
alarm OF fire repair to the place OF fire with the fire
engine and Other fire apparatus under their care
and there work and manage the same under the di-
in case Of the absence OF both the chief and assis
tant engineer they rhall place and work their ap-
parttus in the most effectua manner until the fire
be extinguished. II any company shall. without
permission OF the engineer or such other per.o as
may be in command, leave any fire with their en-
gue or fire apparatus, the officer In command OF
such company shall forfeit and pay the sum Of
twenty five dollars for each and every such offence
4 The engines and other fire apparatus shall
be kept In suca places the city council shall pro
vide and designate, aud 1t shall be the duty OF tht
several companies to keep the same always In or
der and ready for immediate use.
IS. Whenever any member OF any fire company
In this city shall be justly indebted to said com
papy, pursuant to the constitution and bylaws o
said company, the same having beensubnitted t
and approved by the city council, 1t shall be law
fu aud competent for said company TO sue sucl
member. and recover the amount so due, in an nc
ton of debt in the name of the city for the use o
So. Each fireman shall, when on duty, wear
leather hat or cap of the form generally worn b
fremen, to be provided by the city, and such othe
badge or uniform as may be selected by the respet
tive companies.
10. II auy person having charge of an engtn
or other fire apparatus fhall suffer the same TO
applied TO private uses without the consent OF III
chief engineer, lin his aosence} the assistant eI
gneer he shall pay penalty of moi less than fN
dollars nor more than twenty dollars for each an
every sucn offence, aud shall ue personally lab
for all injuries thereby accruing to such eugine
other apparatus
Su The acting chief engineer shall have poN
er in his discretion TO permit any hre company
go with tn respective engines and other hre u
paratus, beyond the limits or the city, 10 be ahse
such length Of lime As he may direct Amy orie
IN comm md uf any company who shall suffer
permit the engine or other hre apparatus IN cha
OF ,aid company to be taken beyond the limits
the city without such permissiDn shall forfeit al
pay not less han five dollars nor more than TIVE
ty-fve dollars for each and every snch offence, a.
shall be also liable for all iniurie that may happ
to -uch engine or other apparatus during SAID
sence.
ia II any foreman of any fire company, or a
fireman shall refuse 10 obey the Chief engineer
his assistant, or the per on having control. at
fire, he shall forfeit and pay not less than one d
lar nor more than twenty-five dollars for each a
every su' offence.
i3 The engineer in commaud, or in the
sence of be. the chief engineer and his assis
the Mayor or any two Aldermen may direct
ladder n,
building. erection or fence. Tor the purpose
checKing the progress of the fire. and to the 50
end the engineer any such person as may be
command at any fire may with the advice and c
currence of two membeISof the ely council bl
up OF cause to be blOFn up with pow der or OIL
wise any building oSerection.
( IA. The mayor city marshal, or such oH1cer
may be IN command oI the ponce aa any me-, mr., .
those who reside therein, members OF the fre
partment, and those admitted by order OF the n
or marshal or some other officer OF the police, s.
be permitted TO come, and It shall be the duty
the police 10 aid in carrying ont the provisions
this section.
extinction 1t shall be lawful for the chief engi
Of the fire department. or the assistant engineer
the foreman of any fire company, or The mayo
any member of the police to arrest. without
rant any suspected person, or any person hinde
or resisting such officer or any fireman in the
charge OF his duty, or refusing to obey such on
or conducting in noisy and disorderiy manner
TO commit such person forthwith to jail, and e
such person so committed shall remain until
charged upon trial ard hearing before some
or magistrate of competent jurisdiction.
! l6 Every person. not fireman, VINO sna
present at any fire in this city, shall be sublet
the ord rs of the chief engineer and his assls
the rnayor marshal and other members OF tn
lice and In case such person shall refuse TO
snch orders he shall forfeit and pay the sum o
dollars.
s a. 1t shall be lawful for The chief engine
his assistant or the foreman of any fire compa
for apy poI es officer. to require the aid OF any
man with his horse and dray, or the driver ol
licensed wagon, any citizen, inhabltant o.
stander. In draying or conveying any fire eng
other fire pparatus, and iL worktn- and uslf
same while at a fire; and in case OF refusal o.
lect by such p ron to comply With such re
ton the offender shall for every default forle
pay a penalty of not less than one dollar, nor
than ten dollars.
fS 1t shall be the duty OF every police Q
Immediately upon AL alarm OF hre given, 10
70 the place of the fire and there remain suo)
the direction of the mayor, If he be not preseI
ma sh ], for the discharge OF police duty,
aid in extinguishing the fire, and preserVln
protecting property.
lating the Fire Department and defining the
Of the officers and members thereof passed j
1851 and an ordinance amending the same
August IS. 1857, and all ordinances heretofor,
ing, contrary to or coming within the pro-
Of this ordinance shah be and the same mere
repealed.
Passed Dec. 10, 1873.
Approved: BAILEY DAVENPORT, Ma
Attest: JOHN BARGE, City Clerk
An Ordinance