Opinion ID: 219199
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Pleasant Hill Volunteer Fire Department

Text: Pleasant Hill's Code of Ordinances (Code) establishes the VFD to prevent and extinguish fires, protect lives and property against fires, promote fire prevention and fire safety, and answer emergency calls. Pleasant Hill, Iowa, Code § 35.01. The VFD consists of the Fire Chief and such other officers and personnel as may be authorized by the [Pleasant Hill City] Council (Council). § 35.02. The Council appoints the Fire Chief after giving due consideration to the recommendation of the VFD. See § 35.05. The Fire Chief is authorized to appoint 45 volunteer firefighters, who are subject to call at any time. § 35.08(1)-(2). In 2005, by municipal ordinance, Pleasant Hill adopted the 2003 edition of the International Fire Code (IFC) subject to certain amendments. See § 163.01. The IFC created a Department of Fire Prevention (Department) in Pleasant Hill under the direction of the fire code official. The fire code official has authority to (1) enforce the IFC; (2) render interpretations of [the IFC], and to adopt policies, procedures, rules and regulations in order to clarify the application of its provisions; (3) receive and review construction documents and issue construction permits implicating the IFC; and (4) enter non-conforming property in accordance with the law, including a right to seek a judicial warrant. See IFC §§ 104.1-104.3. The IFC defines the fire code official as [t]he fire chief or other designated authority charged with the administration and enforcement of the [IFC], or a duly authorized representative. When Pleasant Hill adopted the IFC, the Council specifically provided, The term Fire Code Official is intended to also mean the Building Official and his or her representatives or designees, who are herewith, delegated the same powers, authorities, duties and responsibilities as designated for the Fire Code Official. Pleasant Hill, Iowa, Code § 163.02(3). The fire code official shall be appointed by the chief appointing authority of the jurisdiction. IFC § 103.2. The adopted IFC provides, In accordance with the prescribed procedures of [Pleasant Hill] and with the concurrence of the appointing authority, the fire code official shall have the authority to appoint a deputy fire code official, other related technical officers, [i]nspectors, and other employees. § 103.3. [T]he fire code official shall not be removed from office except for cause and after full opportunity to be heard on specific and relevant charges by and before the appointing authority. § 103.2.