of the
INNES HOSE COMPANY, INC.
aka, Canton Fire Department
Department No. 2
Canton, Pennsylvania

The following is a complete revision or amendment
of the Innes Hose Company, Inc., and supersedes all other By-Laws of
said Company.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Article 1: Company Name and
Objectives
- 1.1 Name
- 1.2 Mission Statement
- 1.3 Affidavit
Article 2: Leadership
- 2.1 Civil Officers
- 2.2 Line Officers
- 2.3 Fire Police
- 2.4 Board of Directors
- 2.5 Elections of Officers and
Board Members
- 2.6 Expiration of Office
Term
Article 3: Members
- 3.1 Membership
- 3.2 Active
Firefighters
- 3.3 Active Members
- 3.4 Probationary
Members
- 3.5 Honorary Life
Members
- 3.6 Life Members
- 3.7 Social Members
- 3.8 Rejections and/or
Expulsions
- 3.9 Resignations
- 3.10 Members Rules
- 3.11 Discrimination
Article 4: Duties of Line
Officers
- 4.1 President
- 4.2 Vice President
- 4.3 Secretary
- 4.4 Treasurer
- 4.5 Chaplin
- 4.6 Board of Directors
- 4.7 Trustee
Article 5: Duties of Line
Officers
- 5.1 Chief
- 5.2 Deputy Chief
- 5.3 Assistant Chief
- 5.4 Captain
- 5.5 1st Lieutenants
- 5.6 2nd Lieutenants
- 5.7 Forest Fire Warden
- 5.8 Assistant Forest Fire
Warden
- 5.9 Fire Police
Captain
- 5.10 Fire Police
Lieutenant
Article 6: Duties of
Members
- 6.1 Active
Firefighters
- 6.2 Active Members
- 6.3 Social Members
Article 7: Probationary
Members
Article 8: Behavior of
Members
Article 9: Member Costs
- 9.1 Dues10
- 9.2 Members Indebtness
|
Article 10: Donations
Article 11: Meetings
- 11.1 Regular Meetings
- 11.2 Order of Business
- 11.3 Special Meetings
Article 12: Nominations and
Elections
- 12.1 Order of
Elections
- 12.2 Nominations
- 12.3 Line Officer
Requirements
- 12.4 Elections
Article 13: Alcohol
- 13.1 Company Property
- 13.2 Company Equipment
Article 14: Committees
- 14.1 Membership
- 14.2 Fundraising
- 14.3 Contracts.
- 14.4 Audit
- 14.5 Budget
- 14.6 Special
Committees
- 14.7 Grievance
- 14.8 Bingo
- 14.9 Jr. Firefighter
- 14.10 Fair
- 14.11 Food.
- 14.12 Banquet
- 14.13 By-Laws
Article 15: Sale of
Property
- 16.1 Over $1500.00
- 16.2 Under $1500.00
Article 16: Meeting Protocol and
Miscellaneous
- 16.1 By-Law Changes
- 16.2 Meeting Protocol
- 16.3 Grievance Committee
Guidelines
- 16.4 "Leave of
Absence"
- 16.4 By-Law
Corrections
Article 17: Signatures
Article 18: Coverage Area
Article 19: Business
Concept
Article 20: Dissolution of Innes Hose
Company
Article 21: Bonding
Article 22: Risk and Reward |
Article 1 - Company Name and
Objective
I Section Name
1.1.1 This Company shall be known by the name
of: Innes Hose Company Inc., of Canton PA, and sometimes referred
to as the Canton Volunteer Fire Department, Department No.
2
1.1.2 Innes Hose Company, Inc., May be referred
to as Company or department in these Bi-Laws.
I Section 2 Mission Statement
1.2.1 The Innes Hose Company's mission is to
protect life and property from loss, suffering and damage due to
Fire, Environmental hazards, Natural or Man-Made disasters, and/or
Motor Vehicle accidents within the communities that we are
contracted to protect or the area of mutual aid. These things will
be accomplished through emergency response and/or public education
to the best of the company's ability.
I Section 3 Affidavit -
Documentation
1.3.1 The company herby declares the following
provision: Innes Hose Company Inc., of Canton, PA strictly
prohibits the use of any surplus funds for private inurement to
any person in the event of sale, or dissolution of the
company.
Article II - Leadership
II Section 1 Civil Officers
2.1.1 The Civil Officers of this company shall
consist of President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer,
Chaplain, and Board of Directors.
II Section 2 Line Officers
2.2.1 The line Officers of this company shall
be a Chief, Deputy Chief, Assistant Chief, Captain, 1st
Lieutenant, 2nd Lieutenant, Fire Police Captain, Fire Police
Lieutenant, Forest Fire Warden, and Assistant Forest Fire
Warden.
II Section 3 Fire Police
2.3.1 The Fire Police shall be made up of
members of the company who state in writing to the general
membership that they aspire to become Fire Police.
2.3.2 All approved Fire Police member must
complete an approved basic Fire Police Course (Training)
consisting of 16 hours within one year of their appointment as a
Fire Police to continue in the capacity of a Fire
Police.
2.3.3 Fire Police will be accepted by the host
municipality, and be sworn in by the February meeting,
annually.
II Section 4 Board of Directors
2.4.1 The Board of Directors shall consist of
eight (8) members; the Chief, Deputy Chief, Assistant Chief,
President, Vice President, Treasurer, Trustee and one member of
the General Membership as elected by the company.
2.4.2 The Borough Council and the Township
Supervisors of all municipalities protected, and the Innes Hose
Company, Inc. Relief Association shall be invited to annually
appoint a single representative to attend all meetings of the
Board of Directors, but who shall hold no voting powers at such
meetings.
II Section 5 Election of Officers and Board
Members
2.5.1 At the regular membership December
meeting of the Innes Hose Company, Inc., the Officers shall be
elected or appointed as the follows:
2.5.2 Civil Officers: Shall be elected by the
General Membership eligible to vote.
2.5.3 Line Officers: Shall be elected by the
Active Fire Fighters eligible to vote.
2.5.4 2nd Lieutenant: Shall be appointed by the
Chief of the company at the February meeting.
2.5.5 Forest Fire Warden and Assistant: Shall
be appointed by the Chief of the company at the February
meeting.
2.5.6 Fire Police Captain and Lieutenant: Shall
be voted on by the Active Fire Fighters of the company.
2.5.7 Board of Directors: One member will be
voted to the Board at the December elections.
II Section 6 Expiration of Office
Term
2.6.1 At the expiration of the term of office,
all Officers of the Company shall deliver to their successor in
office, all books and papers, money or other property belonging to
the company in their possession.
Article III - Members
III Section 1 Membership
3.1.1 There shall be six classes of members of
the company: Active Firefighters, Active Members, Social Members,
Life Members and Honorary Life Members.
3.1.2 All firefighters of Innes Hose Company,
Inc. shall be 18 years or more of age.
3.1.3 All junior firefighters of Innes Hose
Company, Inc. shall be between the ages of 14 and 17 years of age.
Upon their 18th birthday the individual may apply to become a
firefighter of Innes Hose Company, Inc..
III Section 2 Active Firefighters
3.2.1 To be considered as an active firefighter
the individual must (1) respond to 25% of all incidents, (2)
attend 25% of all scheduled training events, and (3) attend 25% of
all work bees.
3.2.2 The individual must also attend 25% of
the Regular Membership Meetings per year (this constitutes a total
of three (3) meetings per year).
III Section 3 Active Members
3.3.1 To be considered as an active member of
company the individual must respond to 10% of all incidents,
attend 10% of all scheduled training events, and attend 10% of all
work bees.
3.2.3 The individual must also attend 25% of
the Regular Membership Meetings per year (this constitutes a total
of three (3) meetings per year).
III Section 4 Probationary Members
3.4.1 Probationary member shall be a new member
recently voted into the Company.
3.4.2 This individual will need to attain an
active status, either active firefighter or active member, within
the first year.
3.4.3 This individual will also need to
complete one certified school within the first year of
membership.
III Section 5 Honorary Life Member
3.5.1 The General Membership shall appoint any
Honorary Life Member.
3.5.2 Any Honorary Life Member shall have all
of the benefits of a "Life Member" of Innes Hose
Company.
III Section 6 Life Members
3.6.1 Any member who has completed five (5)
consecutive years as an active firefighter shall be known as a
Life Member of Innes Hose Company, Inc..
3.6.2 The Life Member shall have the benefits
of not paying annual dues.
III Section 7 Social Membership
3.7.1 Shall be any member that does not make
the qualifications for active firefighter or active member for the
prior year, provided the individual is not an Honorary Life Member
or a Life Member of the Company.
III Section 8 Rejection/Expulsion
3.8.1 No rejection applicant or person expelled
from the company may apply or reapply for membership within one
calendar year of the rejection/expulsion.
III Section 9 Resignations
3.9.1 All resignations shall be submitted in
writing to the Board of Directors who shall have full power to
act.
3.9.2 Should any Line or Civil Officer leave
office before the end of their term, for any reason, the officers
under this position would be asked to move up one position in the
line. Any position that remains unfilled, or if the officers
remain in place without moving up in line, would then revert back
to the General Membership for the election of the
position.
3.9.3 No resignation shall be accepted until
the person has paid all fines and dues and delivered to the
Treasurer their keys to any properties they may have in their
possession belonging to Innes Hose Company, Inc.
III Section 10 Members Rules
3.10.1 The members shall be governed by any
regulations that may at any time be adopted by the Board of
Directors and/or membership and penalties therein prescribed shall
be enforced in all cases of violations of the same.
III Section 11 Discrimination
3.11.1 There shall be no discrimination in the
department membership because of sex, race, religion or
age.
3.11.2 The one exception to this is all
firefighters must be 18 years or more of age.
3.11.3 The company will not tolerate any sexual
harassment of the membership.
Article IV - Duties of Civil
Officers
IV Section 1 President
4.1.1 It shall be the duty of the president to
preside at all meetings and maintain and command order.
4.1.2 The president shall have been a member of
Innes Hose Company for at least 2 years and have been a civil
officer of the company for a minimum of 1 year in the past 5
years.
4.1.3 The president shall decide all questions
of order without debate, subject to appeal of the Board of
Directors.
4.1.4 The President shall call a special
meeting whenever necessary or upon the request of (3) three
members.
4.1.5 The President shall appoint all standing
and special committees.
4.1.6 The President shall be an ex-officio
member of all committees.
4.1.7 The President shall discharge all
committees when their duties are terminated, or if they neglect
their duties, and fill all vacancies on the committees.
4.1.8 The President shall have a vote as a
member in general elections.
4.1.9 The President shall attend at least 9
Monthly and 9 Board meetings and as many special meetings as
possible.
IV Section 2 Vice President
4.2.1 The Vice President, in the absence of the
President, shall perform all the duties and enjoy all the
privileges of the president in any work in which the Vice
President may be engaged.
4.2.2 The Vice President shall attend at least
9 Monthly and 9 Board meetings and as many special meetings as
possible.
IV Section 3 Secretary
4.3.1 It shall be the duty of the Secretary to
call the roll at all meetings, and to keep correct minutes of all
slated and special meetings in books kept for that
purpose.
4.3.2 Shall appoint a member to preside over a
Regular Membership meeting that the President or Vice President
are absent.
4.3.3 The Secretary shall inform all newly
elected members of their election and to furnish each a copy of
the Bi- Laws within five (5) days after the election.
4.3.4 The Secretary shall notify all members of
all special meetings and every committee of its appointment
through its Chairperson, at the meeting in which the committee is
announced.
4.3.5 The Secretary shall keep a financial
account between the company and its members and notify all members
who are in arrears, collect all moneys due to the company, and pay
the same to the Treasurer, taking their receipt for same, and to
keep an account thereof with an account of all orders drawn on the
treasurer, draw and sign all orders upon the Treasurer by order of
the Company.
4.3.6 The secretary, and Fire Chief, shall keep
a record of all members present at all fires and drills as
presented by the Officer in charge.
4.3.7 The Secretary shall record in the minute
books of the Company, the minutes of the Board of Directors
meetings.
4.3.8 The Secretary shall carry on all
correspondence of the Company, keeping a copy of the same for
future reference.
4.3.9 The Secretary shall have the power to
request that the President appoint one (1) or two (2) members to
assist the Secretary whenever necessary.
4.3.10 The Secretary shall attend at least 9
Monthly and 9 Board meetings and as many special meetings as
possible.
4.3.11 The secretary shall be in charge of all
building rentals, with the assistance of the Treasurer.
4.3.11.1 All building rentals will be posted at
the Social Building on a specified calendar.
4.3.11.2 The Secretary, and Treasurer, is
therefore responsible for soliciting individuals to clean
buildings of Innes Hose Company.
IV Section 4 Treasurer
4.4.1 It shall be the duty of the Treasurer to
keep an account of all receipts and disbursements of money in a
book kept for that proposes.
4.4.2 The Treasurer shall receive from the
Secretary or members all monies belonging to the company, and pay
the same only on receiving an approved invoice or authorization
from the President, Chief, Board of Directors or approval by the
General Membership.
4.4.3 The Treasurer shall receive from the
Secretary all monies belonging to the Company, and pay the same
only upon receiving an invoice and approval by the General
membership.
4.4.4 Books shall be available at any time for
the inspection by an Auditing Committee upon request of the Board
of Directors.
4.4.5 Shall assist the Budget Committee in
determining a budget.
4.4.6 Reports Company accounts at each Regular
Monthly Meeting of the General Membership.
4.4.7 Provides a copy of the monthly financial
report to the Secretary for recording.
4.4.8 Provides a quarterly report to the Board
of Directors on all accounts and Budget status.
4.4.9 Shall make sure all company bills are
paid on a monthly basis.
4.4.10 Attends as many functions as possible
that bring in or require the handing out of monies for Innes Hose
Company.
4.4.11 For those functions that the Treasurer
cannot attend, then the Treasurer shall appoint a person to act as
an alternate.
4.4.12 Will have been a member of Innes Hose
Company for a minimum of 2 years.
4.4.13 The Treasurer shall attend at least 9
Monthly and 9 Board meetings and as many special meetings as
possible.
4.4.14 The Treasurer shall assist the Secretary
with the duties of the "Rental of Buildings" as per
4.3.11.
IV Section 5 Chaplain
4.5.1 It shall be the duty of the Chaplain to
conduct all devotions of the Company.
4.5.2 The Chaplain shall see that all members
are remembered at times of sickness or death, to themselves or
their families by flowers, baskets, cards, or whatever The
Chaplain considers appropriate.
4.5.3 Chaplain shall be an appointed position
by the Board of Directors.
IV Section 6 Board of Directors
4.6.1 The monthly meeting of the board of
directors shall follow the Regular Membership Meeting.
4.6.2 The President shall call special meetings
when he/she deems it necessary or at the request of at least three
(3) directors.
4.6.3 The Board of directors shall organize
after the Regular Monthly Meeting on the first Tuesday after
January 01 of the New Year.
4.6.4 Five (5) members constitute a
quorum.
4.6.5 The President shall be ex-officio
Chairperson on the Board.
4.6.6 The Company elected secretary shall be
the Secretary on the Board of Directors, and requested to attend
all meetings of the Board.
4.6.7 Minute Books shall be included in the
minute books of the Company. The board of Directors minutes must
be properly approved by the general membership at the next
scheduled regular meeting at which time they are considered to be
official and binding.
4.6.8 The Board of directors shall have full
charge of the engine house, real estate and all property of the
Company.
4.6.9 The Board of directors will authorize
repairs to all apparatus and property and be responsible to the
Company for the care of the property.
4.6.10 It shall be the duty of the Board of
directors to act immediately on all written cases of appeal
presented to them.
4.6.11 The Board of Directors decision is to be
presented to the company at the next regular meeting, at which
time the company may revise this decision with a (2/3) two thirds
favorable vote.
4.6.12 They shall examine the roll book of the
Company at the October meeting and report all members dropped from
the Active to the Social status at the October meeting of the
Company.
4.6.13 The Board shall establish any policy it
deems necessary. Said policies shall be kept in writing in a
policy manual and remain in effect until revoked by the Board.
These policies may be established, annulled, or changed by two
thirds (2/3) majority vote by the General Membership at the
regular meeting.
4.6.14 Members of Municipalities must be
present at a minimum of 9 Board Meetings per year.
4.6.15 It is preferred by Innes Hose Company
that the representative of the municipality to the board not be a
member of Innes Hose Company to avoid a conflict of
interest.
IV Section 7 Trustee
4.7.1 The trustee will have the duty to
supervise all properties of Innes Hose Company, Inc.
4.7.2 It shall be the duty of the trustee to
complete any emergency repairs, up to $500.00, with the exception
of essential services.
4.7.3 It shall be the duty of the trustee to
provide up keeps of all Innes Hose Company Property, i.e. lawn
mowing, garbage, painting, etc..
4.7.4 The Board of Directors will appoint a
committee of two (2) assistants to help the trustee with these
duties, upon the recommendation of the trustee.
4.7.5 It shall be the duty of the trustee to
file a monthly work report for properties owned by Innes Hose
Company, Inc. to the Board of Directors.
Article V - Duties of Line
Officers
V Section I Chief
5.1.1 It shall be the duty of the Chief to see
that all apparatus and fire station are kept in good working
order.
5.1.2 To have command of the Fire Company at
all times except at meetings.
5.1.3 To obtain a discharge from emergencies as
soon as possible.
5.1.4 To observe that each member does their
duty.
5.1.5 To grant a leave of absence to each
member when deemed necessary.
5.1.6 To report to the board as to the status
of all apparatus and building(s) under his control.
5.1.7 The Chief is responsible for the proper
maintenance, inventory and assignment of all equipment, so that it
will be continually available for service.
5.1.8 The Chief will direct the company at all
dispatched incidents and calls out as CANTON 1.
5.1.9 The Chief is held strictly accountable
for all actions and delegates' authority accordingly.
5.1.10 The Chief shall keep a record of all
emergency calls.
5.1.11 The Chief will keep a correct account
and post monthly all members names that attend emergency
situations and present it to the Board of Directors at their
October meeting for determination of the active list.
5.1.12 The three (3) company Chiefs will
periodically review and/or update the Standard Operating
Procedures for changes. The Board of Directors must approve any
and all changes. The Board of Directors may also request that the
Standard Operating Procedures be changed and/or updated. The Chief
is responsible for enforcement of Standard Operating
Procedures.
5.1.13 The Chief will attend a minimum of 35%
of all incidents, attend 35% of all scheduled training events, and
attend 35% of all work bees.
5.1.14 The Chief will also attend 9 regularly
scheduled meetings and 9 board meetings and as many special
meetings as possible.
5.1.15 The chief is responsible for
establishing a budget for the fire related equipment and
activities. (This pertains to firefighting equipment, fire
station, training and fire related expenses.)
5.1.16 The Chief will ensure the safety of all
members at all emergency incidents.
V Section 2 Deputy Chief
5.2.1 It shall be the duty of the Deputy Chief
to aid the Chief in the discharge of the duties of the Chief and
to act as Chief in that persons absence.
5.2.2 When acting in the capacity of the Chief,
that person shall report to the Chief upon their arrival, stating
what has been done and if approved by the Chief carry out
same.
5.2.3 Is responsible for equipping each member
with personal protective firefighting gear, and reporting any and
all needs to the Relief Association and the Fire Chief.
5.2.4 Responds to all calls and calls out as
CANTON 2.
5.2.5 The Deputy Chief shall attend 30% of all
incidents, attend 30% of all scheduled training events, and attend
30% of all work bees.
5.2.6 Will attend 9 monthly and 9 board
meetings per year and as many special meetings as
possible.
V Section 3 Assistant Chief
5.3.1 It shall be the duty of the Assistant
Chief to aid the Chief in the discharge of the Chief's several
duties and to act as Chief in the absence of the Chief or Deputy
Chief.
5.3.2 When acting in the capacity of the Chief,
that person shall report to the Chief upon the Chief's arrival,
stating what has been done and if approved by the Chief, carry out
same, otherwise countermand what may be necessary and substitute
the orders of the Chief.
5.3.3 Responds directly to the scene on
incidents and calls out as CANTON 3.
5.3.4 Assists the chief in completing incident
reports.
5.3.5 Responsible for completing maintenance
reports on all apparatus for the Chief.
5.3.6 The Assistant Chief shall attend 30% of
all incidents, attend 30% of all scheduled training events, and
attend 30% of all work bees.
5.3.7 Will attend a minimum of 9 monthly and 9
board meetings and as many special meetings as
possible.
V Section 4 Captain
5.4.1 Responds directly to the scene of
incidents and calls out as CANTON 4.
5.4.2 Reports to the Fire Chief after any
incident that they have command over.
5.4.3 Assists with incident reports.
5.4.4 Will attend 25% of all incidents, 25% of
all scheduled training events, and 25% of all work
bees.
5.4.5 Will attend a minimum of 6 monthly
meetings per year and as many special meetings as
possible.
V Section 5 1st Lieutenants
5.5.1 Responds directly to the scene of
incidents and calls out as CANTON 4.
5.5.2 Reports to the Fire Chief after any
incident that they have command over.
5.5.3 Assists the Deputy Chief in accordance
with 5.2.3
5.5.4 Assist in completing incident
reports
5.5.5 Will attend 25% of all incidents, 25% of
all scheduled training events, and 25% of all work
bees.
5.5.6 Will attend a minimum of 6 monthly
meetings per year and as many special meetings as
possible.
V Section 6 2nd Lieutenant
5.10.1 Responds to the scene of incidents and
calls out as CANTON 6.
5.10.2 Reports to the Fire Chief after any
incident they are in command of.
5.10.3 Assists with completing incident
reports.
5.10.4 Reports to the Chief on the status of
all equipment relating to Rescue or Quick Response
program.
5.10.5 Will attend 25% of all EMS related
incidents, 25% of all scheduled training events, and 25% of all
work bees.
5.10.6 Will attend a minimum of 6 monthly
meetings per year and as many special meetings as
possible.
5.10.7 Will assist to make sure all documents
for QRS runs are complete, accurate and filed
correctly.
5.10.8 Will make sure that all monthly QRS
reports are transmitted to the state.
V Section 7 Forest Fire Warden
5.7.1 Completes reports that are required by
the forestry department.
5.7.2 Responds to the scenes of Wild
Fires.
5.7.3 Reports directly to the Fire Chief or
Highest-ranking officer on the scene.
5.7.4 Calls out on the radio as 2FW1 for wild
fire only.
5.7.5 Falls into command structure after the
Lieutenant for on scene operations.
5.7.6 The fire chief appoints the position,
with the approval of the state of Pennsylvania, and to go into
effect at the February meeting.
V Section 8 Assistant Forest Fire
Warden
5.8.1 Perform the duties of Forest Fire Warden
in their absence.
5.8.2 Responds directly to the scene of Wild
type fires only.
5.8.3 Falls into the command structure after
the Forest fire warden.
5.8.4 Calls out on the radio as 2FW2 for wild
type fires only.
5.8.5 This position will be appointed by the
Fire Chief and the Forest Fire Warden and will go into effect at
the February meeting.
V Section 9 Fire Police Captain
5.9.1 It shall be the duty of the Fire Police
Captain to issue all equipment to all fire police of the
company.
5.9.2 It shall be the duty of the Fire Police
Captain to keep an inventory of all fire police
equipment.
5.9.3 Shall complete any and all reports
required of the Fire Police Captain by the State.
5.9.4 Shall fall into the command structure of
the company after the 1st Lieutenant (CANTON 5)
V Section 10 Fire Police Lieutenant
5.10.1 Shall complete the duties of the Fire
Police Captain in their absence.
5.10.2 Shall fall into the command structure of
the company after the Fire Police Captain.
Article VI - Duties of Members
VI Section 1 Active Firefighters
6.1.1 Active Firefighter status will be placed
upon an individual when they attain 25% attendance at emergency
incidents, 25% attendance at scheduled trainings, and 25%
attendance at scheduled work bees.
VI Section 2 Active Members
6.2.1 Active Member status will be placed upon
an individual when they attain 10% attendance at
emergency.
VI Section 3 - Social Members
Article VII Probationary Members
7.1.1 At the end of the probationary period of
one year, and if the member meets all requirements for Active
Status, they shall be considered an Active Member.
Article VIII - Behavior of
Members
VIII Section 1
8.1.1 Every member shall at all times conduct
themselves in a professional and courteous manner.
8.1.2 Offenses and charges against any member
shall be presented to the Board of Directors. The Board shall then
send the charged member a certified letter to appear and answer
the charges at least one (1) week prior to the Board of Directors
meeting held for this purpose.
VIII Section 2
8.2.2 At the time of an alarm, the officers in
command are to hold totally responsible for results of all
firefighters operations; therefore it shall be the duty of all
members to immediately and explicitly obey all orders given to
them by their Superior Officers.
8.2.3 Failure to do so will result in the case
being presented to the Board of Directors for their decisions on
possible expulsion from the Fire Department or other disciplinary
action.
VIII Section 3
8.3.1 All changes preferred against Officers or
Members that are laid before the Board of Directors shall be
thoroughly investigated by the Board and if charges are
sustained;
8.3.2 The Board of Directors shall have the
power to suspend or expel such Officer or Member.
VIII Section 4
8.4.1 No Officer or Member shall be remov3ed
from office or expelled until he/she has been served with a notice
of the time and place of meeting of the Board of
Directors.
8.4.2 The Officer or Member will be furnished
with a copy of the charges preferred against them by the Secretary
at least one (1) week previous to the meeting of the
Board.
VIII Section 5
8.5.1 When any charges are preferred against
any Officer or Member, he or she shall be suspended from
discharging the functions of their office.
8.5.2 If, in the judgment of the Board of
Directors, the charges warrant such action, until the charges
preferred against them are disposed of, and immediately upon
receiving the money, effects, and other property belonging to the
company in their possession until the cause of such suspension is
removed.
VIII Section 6
8.6.1 All Officers and Members shall have the
right of appeal to the Board of Directors if at any time they feel
their Superior Officer is unjustifiably persecuting
them.
8.6.2 This appeal must be in writing stating
the reason for the appeal and presented to the President of the
Board of Directors before the Board's next regular
meeting.
Article IX - Member Costs
IX Section I Dues
9.1.1 Active Firefighters, Active Members and
Social Members shall pay dues per the following
schedule:
Initial Fee*: $10.00
Active Firefighters: $5.00
Active Members: $5.00
Social Members: $5.00
Life Members and Honorary Life Members are
exempt from paying dues.
*This money would be used for the probationary
member's dues for the remainder of the colander year, and their
background check.
9.1.2 All dues must be paid at a regular
meeting with the deadline being prior to the beginning of the
April meeting of the General Membership.
9.1.3 All assessments and other indebtedness to
the company shall be considered dues belonging to the General
Fund.
IX Section 2 Member Indebtedness
9.2.1 If a member does not pay his/her dues by
the April meeting of the General Membership, they will be dropped
from membership and have to reapply under the provisions of
3.8.1.
9.2.2 No Member shall be installed in office
that is indebted to the company.
9.2.3 The Secretary shall read the names of all
delinquent members at the February through April General
Membership meetings.
9.2.4 After the March meeting and within two
weeks of the April meeting the Secretary shall send a regular
postage letter (to the last known address on file with the
Secretary) to all Members that are in arrears with their dues.
They shall be informed that they will be dropped from membership
if the indebtedness is not paid off to the Treasurer prior to the
start of the April meeting.
Article X - Donations
All donations to the Fire Company shall
be placed in the General Fund unless stipulated otherwise by the
donor or majority vote the General Membership.
Article XI - Meetings
XI Section 1 Regular Meeting
11.1.1 The regular meeting of this Company
shall be held on the first Tuesday evening of each month at 7:00
PM with the Board of Directors Meeting to follow at 8:00
PM.
11.1.2 In the absence of both the President and
Vice President, a Chairman Pro-term shall be elected by a majority
vote of the Members present.
11.1.3 Two meetings per year will be scheduled
for last Sunday in June, for the July meeting for the Canton
Fireman's Fair, and the first Sunday in December for elections,
these are addendums to 11.1.1.
11.1.4 A member must personally answer to the
roll call at a meeting to be considered present unless the
President excuses him or her.
11.1.5 In an effort to shorten the amount of
time it takes to read the roll call, the Secretary shall read only
the members names that have attended a previous meeting in the
prior year. At the end of the roll call, the Secretary shall also
ask the question: "ARE ANY MEMBERS PRESENT WHO'S NAME WAS NOT
CALLED?" The Secretary shall add that member's name(s) to the next
verbal roll call when taken.
XI Section 2 Order of Business
11.2.2 The following shall be the order of
business at regular meetings:
1 Invocation and Flag Salute by
Chaplain
2 Roll Call
3 Visitors Comments
4 Reading of the Minutes of the last regular
meeting
5 Reading of the Board of Directors minutes
from the last meeting
6 Discussion of the Board of Directors
minutes
7 Treasurers Report
8 Bills, communications and actions
thereon.
9 Chief's Report
10 Report of Committees
11 Nominations of New Members
12 Election of Candidates for
Membership
13 Unfinished business
14 New business
15 Adjourn
XI Section 3 Special Meetings
11.3.1 A meeting may be called at any time by
order of the President.
11.3.2 Three (3) days the Secretary shall give
prior notice of such meetings to the members by paging and posting
at the fire station.
11.3.3 The following shall be the order of
business at Special Meetings.
- 1 Roll Call
- 2 Business of Special Meeting
- 3 Adjourn
Article XII - Nominations and
Elections
Elections shall be held in December and
elected members shall hold office until their successors are
elected. Nominations for all offices must be in good standing with
the company.
XII Section 1 Order of Elections
12.1.1 Line Officers shall be elected first, as
the Chief and his Deputy Chief and Assistant Chief are
automatically elected to the Board of Directors.
12.1.2 Captain and 1st Lieutenant
12.1.3 Fire Police
12.1.4 Civil Officers shall be elected second,
as the President and his Vice President and Treasurer are
automatically elected to the Board of Directors.
12.1.5 Secretary
12.1.6 Board of Directors (One member elected
to the Board of Directors)
12.1.7 Trustee (One member voted in as the
trustee will automatically be elected to the Board of
Directors.)
12.1.8 Relief Association
XII Section 2 Nominations
12.2.1 A list of nominations shall be prepared
for all the offices (except the Board of Directors) from the
Nominating Committee, which is established at the October regular
meeting, at the November and December meetings.
12.2.2 The ballots will be made after the
December Nominations.
12.2.3 The President is to strike out any
nominations of a member who is one of the top three (3) Chief
Officers (Chief, Deputy Chief, and Assistant Chief) and one of the
top 4 Civil Officers (President, Vice President, Secretary,
Treasurer) for a second office.
12.2.4 If any nominee fails to receive the
majority vote, he or she may automatically add their name to the
ballot as a write-in candidate, for another office.
XII Section 3 Line Officer
Requirements
12.3.1 Nominations for all Line Officers must
meet the following requirements and Nominees must be derived from
the current active firefighter list, these requirements will take
effect prior to the October General Membership Meeting of
2004:
12.3.2 Chief Officer Requirements:
12.3.2.1 Must have been a Deputy or Assistant
Chief at least one (1) year and have been a Captain or Lieutenant
for at least one (1) year in each position within the last 10
years with Innes Hose Company.
12.3.2.2 Will have attained the following
training requirements: basic arson investigation, Hazmat
Recognition and Identification, be certified on all apparatus,
Essentials of Firefighting, Pump 1 certification, be EVOC
certified, completed IST, completed a basic rescue class,
completed Aero medical Landing Zone class, and completed Incident
Command.
12.3.3 Deputy Chief Officer
Requirements
12.3.3.1 Will have been a Captain or Lieutenant
for a minimum of 1 year.
12.3.3.2 Will have a minimum of Pump 1, EVOC,
IST, Hazmat R&I, completed an Arson Detection class, and
completed Essentials of Firefighting.
12.3.4 Assistant Chief Officer
Requirements
12.3.4.1 Will have been a Captain or Lieutenant
for a minimum of one year.
12.3.4.2 Will have a minimum of Pump 1, EVOC,
Hazmat R&I, IST, and Essentials of Firefighting.
12.3.5 Captain and 1st Lieutenant
12.3.5.1 Will attain a minimum of EVOC, IST and
Hazmat R&I
12.3.6 2nd Assistant Lieutenant (appointed
Position)
12.3.6.1 Will have a minimum of EVOC, IST,
Hazmat R&I, and Pennsylvania First Responder.
12.3.7 Forest Fire Warden
12.3.7.1 The Fire Chief with the approval of
the State of Pennsylvania appoints position.
12.3.7.2 Must have completed Basic Wild land
Firefighter (PA130) and Basic Fire Behavior (PA190).
12.3.8 Assistant Forest Fire Warden
12.3.8.1 Appointed by the Fire Chief and the
Forest Fire Warden.
12.3.8.2 Must have completed Basic Wild land
Firefighter (PA130)
12.3.9 Fire Police Captain
12.3.9.1 Must have completed Hazmat
R&I
12.3.9.2 Must have held a position as an active
Fire Police for a minimum of one year.
12.3.10 Fire Police Lieutenant
12.3.10.1 must have completed Hazmat
R&I
12.3.10.2 must have held a position as an
active Fire Police for a minimum of one year.
12.3.11 Any By-Law change(s) in the Line
Officer and/or the Chief Officer Requirement(s) will NOT take
effect for one year from the date they are adopted.
12.3.12 A list of approved courses will be kept
and posted in the station.
12.3.13 The secretary shall keep a Line Officer
Candidate list of all members completing the proper training
requirements.
12.3.14 Candidates wishing to be on the list
must meet the requirements before the October regular meeting to
be nominated.
12.3.15 The Board of Directors will evaluate
the requirements for line officers annually.
XII Section 4 Elections
12.4.1 Elections will take place at the second
December meeting.
12.4.2 This meeting will be brought to order
after the regular December meeting has come to a close and will be
opened as a special meeting in accordance with 11.3.3 for the sole
purpose of elections.
12.4.3 No member shall hold two (2) offices,
except Board of Directors and Chaplain.
12.4.4 In case of a tie vote on the original
office, the candidates will be placed in a run-off election with a
new set of ballots.
12.4.5 Membership on a committee does not
constitute an office within the probation of the
By-Laws.
Article XIII - Drugs &
Alcohol
XIII Section I Company Property
13.1.1 All beer, alcohol and drugs will not be
consumed on the fire company premises or at any fire company
functions held there.
13.1.2 With the exception of the Social Hall
and the Fair grounds of which the House Committee rules
apply.
13.1.3 Illegal Drugs will not be permitted to
be consumed or brought on to company property at
anytime.
XIII Section 2 Company Equipment
13.2.1 Any member that drives any fire
department apparatus while under the influence of alcohol or drugs
will automatically be expelled from the fire company.
Article XIV - Committees
XIV Section 1 Membership Committee
14.1.1 Shall consist of 6 members of the
company.
14.1.2 The President of the Innes Hose Company
shall appoint this committee.
14.1.3 It shall be the duty of this committee
to act on all applications for membership.
14.1.4 It shall be the duty of this committee
to make sure that a background and reference check is completed on
the said applicant.
14.1.5 It shall be the duty of this committee
to interview said applicant.
XIV Section 2 Fund Raising
14.2.1 The Fund Raising Committee shall consist
of five (5) members of the company appointed by the
President.
14.2.2 It shall be their duty to organize and
carry out any fund raising events for the company.
XIV Section 3 Contracts
14.3.1 The Contract committee shall consist of
the Board of Directors.
14.3.2 It shall be their duty to prepare and
distribute all fire contracts for the municipalities in the fire
company's district.
XIV Section 4 Audit
14.4.1 The Audit Committee shall consist of
three (3) persons appointed by the President and approved by the
Board of Directors.
14.4.2 It shall be their duty to audit the
company's financial records each year.
14.4.3 The audit is to be done no later than
May 15 for the previous year and presented to the General
Membership at the June meeting by the committee.
XIV Section 5 Budget
14.5.1 The Budget Committee shall consist of
the Board of Directors.
14.5.2 The Committee shall construct a working
budget based upon the recommendations of the Fire Chief and the
President of the company.
14.5.3 The committee shall meet each year to
present the budget to the General Membership no later than the
December regular membership meeting each year.
XIV Section 6 Special Committees
14.6.1 The President may appoint special
Committees at any meeting or when ordered by two/thirds (2/3) vote
of those present and such committees shall report at the next
scheduled meeting unless otherwise instructed.
XIV Section 7 Grievance Committee
14.7.1 Shall consist of 3 members, who have at
least 2 years of membership.
14.7.2 The board of directors shall appoint
this committee annually.
14.7.3 It shall be their duty to investigate
any grievance put forth to them, in writing, by a member of the
company.
14.7.4 The committee will present their
findings to the Board of Directors in person or
writing.
XIV Section 8 Bingo Committee
14.8.1 Shall consist of 6 members, two (2) of
which will be the Treasurer and Secretary and four other members
appointed by the President.
14.8.2 Shall run Bingo on Wednesday
nights
14.8.3 Shall solicit help from the General
Membership of Innes Hose Company.
XIV Section 9 Jr. Fire Fighter
Committee
14.9.1 The Jr. firefighter committee will
consist of 5 members appointed by the President.
XIV Section 10 Fair Committee
14.10.1 The fair committee shall consist of 5
members appointed by the President.
XIV Section 11 Food Committee
14.11.1 The food committee shall consist of 5
members appointed by the President.
XIV Section 12 Banquet Committee
14.12.1 This committee shall consist of 5
members and will be appointed by the President.
14.12.2 It shall be the duty of this committee
to set up the Appreciation Dinner for the first Saturday in
November.
14.12.3 It shall be the duty of this committee
to have the final proposal for the appreciation dinner ready for
review by the October Regular Membership Meeting.
XIV Section 13 By-Laws Committee
14.13.1 This committee shall consist of 6
members appointed by the President with the first person read from
the list being the chairman of the committee.
14.13.2 This committee shall meet on a
quarterly basis.
14.13.3 This committee is entrusted with the
task of changing, adding or deleting any parts of the by-laws in
accordance with Article 16 Section 1.
Article XV - Sale of Property
XV Section 1 Items $1500.00 or
More
15.1.1 Unwanted property or equipment thought
by the Board of Directors to be worth more than fifteen hundred
dollars ($1500) must be advertised in at least one local media one
month in advance of a regular monthly Board of Directors meeting
being defined as the deadline date. The Board of Directors shall
open all offers at this meeting.
15.1.2 All offers shall be either hand
delivered or mailed and received by the Secretary prior to the
deadline meeting.
15.1.3 The Board of Directors may set a minimum
offer.
15.1.4 Any and all offer may be rejected by a
majority vote of the Board of Directors when offers are
reviewed.
XV Section 2 Items under $1500
15.2.1 Items valued at less than fifteen
hundred dollars may be offered to the General Membership at a
regular meeting.
15.2.2 Notice of intent to sell items must be
given at least on month in advance at a regular
meeting.
15.2.3 Board of Directors reserves the right to
set a minimum bid.
Article XVI - Miscellaneous
XVI Section 1 By-Law Changes
16.1.1 The Sec4retary shall note any potential
By-Laws changes throughout the year and include them in the
minutes.
16.1.2 The By-Law Committee shall conduct a
meeting(s) as needed to draft any proposed additions, changes,
and/or deletions. The By-Laws Committee shall also solicit input
from the membership. The first person listed on the committee list
shall be the Chairperson of the By-Laws Committee.
16.1.3 The Secretary shall read the proposed
additions, changes, and/or deletions to the Fire Company and into
the minutes during the regular membership meeting. This shall be
considered the "first reading".
16.1.4 During the next regular meeting the
proposed additions, changes, and/or deletions shall be read again.
This shall constitute the "Second Reading"
16.1.5 After the "Second Reading" a vote shall
be taken in order to approve or disapprove the By-Law changes. If
at least two-thirds (2/3) of the eligible voters who voted, vote
affirmatively, the By-Law changes shall be considered made and
shall take effect immediately. A roll call volt shall be taken, if
necessary.
XVI Section 2 Meeting Protocol
16.4.1 On all questions of Parliamentary Law,
Casings Manual, Roberts Rule of order will be the guide of the
company.
XVI Section 3 Grievance Committee Guidelines
for Innes Hose Company, Inc.
According to Roberts Rules of Order
(YOU MAY HAVE GUIDELINES AS PART OF BY-LAWS as
they are not specific)
1. No action of the Grievance Committee can be
taken without a majority of the Committee present.
2. The grievance shall be between two or more
members of the department.
3. Any recommendation of disciplinary action by
the Grievance Committee shall be submitted to the Board of
Directors.
4. All hearings are to be private between
Committee and Complainants.
5. Parties involved, when possible, will
maintain confidentiality.
6. The Committee shall consist of three (3)
members and two members of the Committee must be present to hold a
meeting.
7. The Committee will meet with the parties
involved within 14 days.
8. The Committee report to the Board of
Directors if any complaint cannot be solved within the
Committee.
9. Grievances, hearing and results shall be
kept and filed for at least three (3) years in all parties
personnel file.
10. The Committee may change these guidelines
when and if necessary.
XVI Section 4 Leave of Absence
16.4.1 Any member who's membership status
changes during the year due to an accident, death, immediate
family situation(s) or other unavoidable circumstances as deemed
by the Board of Directors as "Beyond the Members Control" may be
granted a "Leave of Absence" and his/her membership status may
stay the same providing it is approved by the Board of Directors
with a 2/3 affirmative vote. This status shall be reviewed by the
Board of Directors at the end of the length of time granted for
the "Leave of Absence" and may be renewed by the same
process.
XVI Section 5
16.5.1 Any and all typographical and/or grammar
errors of these By-Laws do not require a By-Law change, but will
be corrected as noticed and/or required.
Article XVII - Signatures
17.1.1 Checks shall require two (2)
signatures, one being the Treasurer of the Company and the second
being any authorized representative of the company on file with
the bank.
17.1.2 It shall be the policy of Innes Hose
Company that No two individuals in a household shall have control
of Innes Hose Company funds as per 17.1.1.
Article XVIII - Coverage Area
18.1.1 We will provide primary protection
to any contracted municipality. We will also provide mutual aid to
any department or municipality that requests assistance and is in
good standing with Innes Hose Company through mutual aid
agreements as resources are available.
Article XIX - Business Concept
XIX Section 1
19.1.1 This organization, Innes Hose Company,
Inc., will operate as any corporation would in every day
operations.
19.1.2 This organization will try to stay ahead
of technology to better serve the public.
XIX Section 2 Goal
19.2.1 The goal of this organization is to
protect the citizens of the contracted municipalities and all
other mutual aid areas.
19.2.2 Maintain up to date record.
19.2.3 Maintain up to date vehicles.
19.2.4 Maintain up to date public education
programs.
19.2.5 Maintain up to date firefighting
equipment.
19.2.6 Keep all of our citizens safe from harm
to the best of our abilities.
XIX Section 3 Financial Plan
19.3.1 Maintain 3-year contracts with the
municipalities we serve.
19.3.2 Perform fundraisers throughout the
year.
19.3.3 Rent the buildings as they are available
at rates set by the board of directors.
19.3.4 Perform annual budgets.
19.3.5 Perform 5 and 10 year long range plans
for building and equipment replacement.
19.3.6 Work with the community for
support.
19.3.7 Submit for as many grants as
possible.
XIX Section 4 Resource Requirements
19.4.1 Technology requirements
19.4.2 Personnel requirements
19.4.3 Resource requirements
19.4.4 Financial, distribution, promotion,
etc.
19.4.5 External requirements
19.4.6 Products/services/technology required to
be purchased outside the company.
Article XX - Dissolution of Innes Hose
Company
20.1.1 Upon the unforeseen dissolution of
Innes Hose Company, Inc:
20.1.1.1 All Fire related property of Innes
Hose Company, Inc. will revert back to the Host
Municipality.
20.1.1.2 All other Innes Hose Company, Inc.
Properties shall be sold at public auction to pay off any residual
debt load of the company.
20.1.1.3 Any profit shown after the payment of
any debt load of the company, shall be divided amongst charities
decided by the Board of Directors.
Article XXI Bonding
21.1.1 The Treasurer of Innes Hose Company
shall be bonded for twice the available equity that the Treasurer
has on hand for any unforeseen financial loss through actions of
the Treasurer.
Article XXII Risk and Reward
XX Section 1 Risk
20.1.1 Always have the risk of losing life or
limb
20.1.2 Minimized by using common
sense
20.1.3 Minimized by training
20.1.4 Minimized by maintaining
equipment
20.1.5 Minimized by public education
XX Section 2 Reward
20.2.1 The personal satisfaction that you have
helped protect the public.
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