2018-11-13 Constitution and BylawsRESOLUTION NO. 2018-31
COUNCIL MEMBER JENSEN INTRODUCED THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION:
WHEREAS, the Mayor and City Council have been presented with the Blair Volunteer
Fire Department Constitution and Bylaws that were presented and approved by the Blair Volunteer
Fire Department at the Fire Department's regular meeting held on Thursday, November 8, 2018.
WHEREAS, said Constitution and Bylaws are on file with the City Clerk and are
acceptable to the City of Blair.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Blair Volunteer Fire Department
Constitution and Bylaws, are hereby adopted and approved by the municipality and the Mayor and
City Clerk of the City of Blair are hereby authorized and directed to execute the same on behalf of
the municipality.
COUNCIL MEMBER WOLFF MOVED THAT THE RESOLUTION BE ADOPTED AS READ,
WHICH SAID MOTION WAS SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER ANDERSEN. UPON
ROLL CALL, COUNCIL MEMBERS STEWART, HANSEN, WILLIS, JENSEN, WOLFF,
ANDERSEN AND HALLVOTING "AYE" AND COUNCIL MEMBERS NONE VOTING
`NAY", THE MAYOR DECLARED THE FOREGOING RESOLUTION PASSED AND
APPROVED THIS 13TH DAY OF NOVEMBER, 2018.
CITY OF BLAIR, NEBRASKA
BY:
JA%S REALPH, MAYOR
ATTEST:
BRENDA WHEELER, CITY CLERK
(SEAL)
STATE OF NEBRASKA )
) ss:
WASHINGTON COUNTY )
BRENDA WHEELER, hereby certifies that she is the duly appointed, qualified and acting City
Clerk of the City of Blair, Nebraska, and that the above and foregoing Resolution was passed and
adopted at a regular meeting of the Mayor and City Council of said City, held on the 13th day of
November, 2018.
BRENDA WHEELER, CITY CLERK
CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS OF
BLAIR VOLUNTEER FIRE AND RESCUE DEPARTMENT
CONSTITUTION
PREAMBLE: To minimize the loss of life and property, pain and suffering experienced by
residents of the City of Blair and the Blair Rural Fire District and surrounding area due to
manmade or natural cause of disaster. We will achieve this goal by providing the highest quality
Fico, Rescue, and Emergency Medical Services (EMS).
Article It NAME
The name of the association shall be Blair Volunteer Fire Department and Rescue Squad,
horcinafter referred to as "BVFD".
Article 11: PURPOSE
• Prevent, where possible, foreseeable fire, accident, medical emergency, and natural or
manmade disaster incidents to carry out the mission of BVFD.
s Provide fire, accident, medical emergency, natural ormanmade disaster assistance to the
City of Blair.
• Advise the City of Blair City Council and Blair Rut•al Fire District Board to identify
resource.,; needed to maintain effective operations.
• Plan for the control and mitigation of these incidents when all efforts to prevent them fail.'
• Utilize available resources in the most effective manner.
• obtain Mutual Assistance Agreements with other jurisdictions.
• Provide training for all personnel to ensure safe and effective operations.
+ Provide expertise to the City of Blair, Blair Rural Fire District, and the citizens of the
community in matters of fire, rescue, natural or man-made disaster and medical
emergency.
Article III: MEMBERSHIP
Membership of the Blair Volunteer Fire & Rosette Department shall consist of not more than
eighty (80) volunteers. Nov volunteers, transfers from other departments and ex -volunteers
seeping reinstatement must be nineteen (1 9) years of age or older, reside within the two-mile
jurisdiction of the City of Blair, Nebraska, and reside within the Blair Rural Fire District.
Furthermore, all now volunteers-, transfers from other departments, or ox -volunteers seeking
reinstatement must submit an application for admission to the Membership. Upon application, all
applicants must complete and pass a background check, drug testing, written examination,
physical fitness examination, and interview with the Fire Chief and Fireground Officers. An
applicant's prior work experience, education, fire department experience, or rescue service may
be considered by the Fire Chief prior to accepting an application for membership to the, BVFD.
BVP'D Constitution & Bylaws I of 19
The Fire Chief may make recommendation to the City of Blair that an applicant be approved or
denied as a member of the BVFD.
• if the Fire Chief approves the applicant, his or her name shall be forwarded to the Mayor
of Blair for approval.
• If the Fire Chief denies the applicant membership, the. applicant may appeal to the Blair
City Council for approval to join the membership of the BVFD. Such appeal must be in
writing and must be submitted within fourteen (14) days of receiving notification from
the Fire Chief denying his or her application. If the Blair City Council approves the
applicant by majority vote, the Mayor shall appoint the person to the Membership of the
BVFD.
An applicant with felony convictions, any conviction for a crime of violence, or any conviction
for sexual assault, will not be admitted to the BVFD. Any other law violations or law
enforcement contact discovered on the applicant's background check, including protection orders
or harassment orders- issued against him or her, may result in the applicant's application for
membership to the BVFD being denied.
The, Blair City Council and Mayor of Blair reserve the right to accept or deny any application to
the BVFD.
Article IV: ORGANIZATION
Section 1: Structure
BVFD will consist of Fireground Officers, Administrative Officers, and General Membership.
The BVFD may be referred to as the -'Membership", which includes all current members of the
BVFD.
Section 2: Officer and Organization Positions
The BVFD shall consist of both Officer Positions and Organization Positions. This Constitution
and Bylaws do not include any position or structure of the Blair Fire & Rescue Volunteers, a
separate 501(c)(3) organization.
Section 3: Fireground Officer Positions and Chain of Command
Fireground Officer Positions
11 Fire Chief
3.2 Assistant Fire Chief, 7- Lip to two (2) members -
3.3 Fire Captain , - up to four (4) members
3.4 Assistant Chief of Emergency Medical Services (EMS)
3.5 EMS Captain - - tip to two (2) members
3.6 All other members
BVFD CumLiwtioii & Byla\��,q 2 of 19
Chain of Command
lstAssistant 2nd Assistant
Fire Chief Fire Chief
Fire Captain - E Fire Captain - 1 Fire Captain -
North Station i
North StationSouth Station
Section 4- Administrative Officers
4,1 President
4.2 Vice -President
4.3
Secretary
4.4
Treasurer
4.5
Sergeant of Arms,
Fire Chief
(repoils to the board)
Fire Captain -
South Station
Article V: ELECTIONS AND APPOINTMENTS
Assistant Chief
of EMS
EMS Captain- EMS Captain -
North Station I I South Station
The Election of Fireground Officers and Administrative Officers will be held at the general
meeting in December. Members must maintain minitnum eligibility requirements for positions
they hold. No member may hold more than one (1) Fireground Officer or Administrative Officer
position at the same time.
All member,; seeking election to as a Fireground Officer or Administrative Officer- shall be in
good standing with the BVFD with meeting minimum meeting, training, and call responses (as
outlined in the Constitution and Bylaws).
All elections of the Fire Chief, Assistant Fire Chiefs, Fire Captains-, Assistant Chief of EMS, and
EMS Captains must be approved by the Mayor and City Council for appointment. The Mayor
and City Council reserve the right to reject the, appointment of any "elected" pot -son as a
Fireground Officer.
Any person elected by the Membership as an Administrative Officer, or elected as a Fireground
Officer and appointed by the, Mayor- with City Council approval, shall take said elected office
commencing on January 211d.
Article VI: GOVERNING RULES
All meeting,; of the BVFD will be conducted according to the most current edition of the
Robert's Rules of Order.
BVFD Constitution 8-, Bylaws 3 o 19
Article VII; MEETINGS
Meetings field by the BVFD include an annual meeting, regular meeting, special meetings, fire
and rescue drills, All Meetings shall be posted in a niamic-r to notify all members of the meeting
date, location, and time. Annual Meetings shall be posted no less than thirty (30) days- prior to
the Annual Meeting. All Regular Meetings shall be held on the first Thursday of each month.
Regular Meetings shall be posted tic) less than seven (7) calendar days before- said meeting. All
Special Meetings require the entire membership be notified of said hearing by posting at all fire
stations and email notification. Special Meetings shall require at least seventy-two (72.) hour
notice to the membership before the Special Meeting.
Article VIII: QUORUM
A quorum shall be a simple majority of all members in good standing. There must be a quorum
present to hold a meeting and vote on matters presented to the membership.
Article IX: ADOPTION AND RATIFICATION OF CONSTITUTION
Section 1: Quorum; Must be present to vote
A quoruni of the Membership must be present in order to adopt or ratify a Constitution of the
BVFD. A member must be pi)Nciit to vote.
Section 2: Voting Eligibility
To be eligible to vote, a mcniber must be in good standing with the BVFD. Good standing to
vote means a member is in compliance with all meeting attendance, training, and call responses
for his or her designation within the BVFD, if a member is not in good standing, he or she may
still attend and participate in meetings-, but he or she may not vote.
Section 3: Vote to Adopt or Ratify; Approval by Blair City Council
A vote to adopt or ratify the BVFD Constitution can be held at an annual, regular, or special
meeting of the Membership. A two-thirds approval vote of eligible members present is required
before the Constitution may be adopted or ratified by the Membership. If the Membership adopts
or ratifies the. Constitution, then the entire Constitution (as adopted and/or ratified.) must be
forwarded to the City Council for its approval. No Constitution or Constitutional anictidnient will
be effective until after the City Council approves said Constitution.
Article X: MEDICAL DIRECTOR
BVFD will maintain a Medical Director as required by Nebraska State EMS regulations.
BVFD Constitution & Bylaws 4 of 19
Article XI: OTHER POSITIONS WITHIN THE BVFD
Other positions may include Department Photographer, Department Chaplain, and/or other
positions as defined in the Bylaw.
Article XII: BVFD SERVICE AWARD PROGRAM
The Blair Volunteer Fire and Rescue Volunteer Service Award Program will be maintained
according to the applicable Nebraska Statutes and Fedeml law. The Service Program Committee
will consist of Vice President, Fire Chief, Assistant Chief of Emergency Medical Services, City
Administrator, and City Treasurer.
The Set -vice Program Committee will meet a minimuni of twice annually to review the program
investments, make changes to investment strategy, approve annual eligibility list and allocation
of new funds to eligible participants, and approve request of retiring participating members for
distribution of vested fields.
Constitution History and Version Control (sorted new"t to oldest)
Version
Reason For Change (High-Level Summary)
DateApprtived by
Blair City Council
2018.1
201 S Re -dr -aft
12/110-018
BVFD Constitution & Bylaws 5 of 19
BYLAWS
Chapter 1; STRUCTURE OF THE ORGANIZATION (ADMINSTRATION)
1.0 Executive (Administrative) Officers
The Executive Officers shall consist of the President, Vice-president, Secretary, Troasuror, and
Sergeant of Arms. All Executive Officers who seek election shall be in good standing with the
BVFD for attendance, training, and call responses to seek election. Executive Officers are
responsible for the administrative functions of the BVFD.
LI President
There shall be one (1) member elected President of the BVFD. To be eligible for such office a
member shall have five (5) years of service on the BVFD and be in good standing. it shall be the
duty of the President to:
• Preside at all business meetings- of the Department, maintain order therein, and be
governed by parliamentary usages.
• The President shall call special niectings, when required by the good of the Department.
• The. President ,;hall decide all questions- and appoint all committees not otherwise
provided for in these Bylaws.
• The President may be required to perform other duties from time to time as prescribed by
the Fire Chief.
• President position reports to the Fire, Chief and serves as a member of the appeals board
for disciplinary action.
L2 Vice -President
There shall be one (I ) member elected as Vice -President of the BVFD. To be eligible for suet)
office a member shall have five (5) years of sot -vice on the BVFD and be in good standing. The
duties of the Vice -President shall be:
& Perform the duties of the President in the absence of the President.
Vice-president position reports to the President and serves as a member of the appeals
board for disciplinary action.
1.3 Secretary
There shall be one. (I ) member elected as Secretary of the BVFD. To be eligible for such office a
member shall have, three (3) years of service on the, BVFD and be in good standing. Duties of the
Secretary are as follows:
• Keep an accurate account of the proceedings of all meetings of (lie department and keep
them permanently on file. Ensure that copies of the previous mouth's meeting minutes
are distributed at each month's meeting.
• The Secretary of the Department shall, on April I st and October I M, each year file a
certified copy of the Department Roster, with the Clerk of the District Court of
BVFD Comtitution & Bylaws 6 of 19
Washington County, Nebraska, the City Clerk, of Blair, and Secretary of Blair Rur-al Fire
Board.
• Keep an accurate list of members who have left the Department and are eligible for
invitation to the annual Old Timor's meeting. Send invitation,-, out to past members four
(4) to six (6) weeks prior to annual Old Timers meeting.
• Secretary will serve as Department Treasurer in their absence. Secretary position reports -
to the department President and serves as a member of the appeals board for disciplinary,
action.
• Secretary shall be responsible for annually maintaining and certifying eligibility list for
the City of Blair Volunteer recruitment and retention program per the program
requirement to City Clerk not later than December I st of each year.
• Secretary -,hall further be responsible for annually notifying members- of their eligibility
for State of Nebraska income tax service credit and forwarding eligibility letters- for such
tax credit to Mayor by January 30 of each year for signature and certification.
• Secretary ,;hall also maintain all training and certification records for all members.
• Secretary shall verify all persons running for election for Fireground Officerpositions
meet the minimum eligibility and training requirements.
1.4 Treasurer
There shall be one (I ) member elected as Treasurer of the BVFD. To be eligible for such office, a
member shall have three (3) year,; of service on the, BVFD and be in good standing. Duties of the
Treasurer are as follows but not limited to:
• Collect all money due this organization.
• Pay all bills approved by the proper officers and the Department at regular meetings.
• Keep an accurate account of all money received and disbursed by the, Department and
give an account of the treasury status, at each monthly meeting.
• Furnish the County Clerk or the, City Clerk any financial information requested, as per
State laws.
• Treasurer will act as Department Secretary in their absence and assist the Secretary as
requested.
• Treasurer position will report to the President and serves as member of the appeals board
for disciplinary action.
1.5 Sergeant of Arms
Thea shall be one (1) member elected as Sergeant of Arms of the BVFD. To be eligible for such
an office member, member shall have served three (3) yean-, on the BVFD and be in good
standing. Sergeant of Arms -,hall be responsible to the Department President and responsible, but
not limited to the items listed below:
• Shall be responsible to answer all telephone calls at meeting, keep general order at
meetings preventing disruption of meeting operations.
• Remove nicmbcqs) from meeting who are disruptive or failing to follow directions from
meeting chair.
CP Participate in elections as identified in these Bylaws.
BVFD Constitution & Bylaws 7 of 19
• Managing Class A, B, and C unifornis for all members of BVFD aligning with fire
set -vice operations.
• The Sergeant of Arms will report to the President and serves as a member of the appeals
board for disciplinary action.
Chapter2- STRUCTURE OF THE ORGANIZATION (FIRE GROUND OFFICERS)
2.0 Fireground Officers
Fireground Officers are responsible for the day-to-day operations and oversight of the Fire
Department and EMS. BVFD offices shall be filled in accordance with the number and eligibility
requirements listed below.
All election,; of the Fire Chief, Assistant Fire Chiefs, Fire Captains, Assistant Chictof EMS., and
EMS Captains must be approved by the Mayor and City Council for appointment. The Mayor
and City Council reserve the right to reject the appointment of any "elected" person as a
Fireground Officer.
Any person elected by the Membership as a Fireground Officer and appointed by the Mayor with
City Council Approval, shall take said elected office commencing on January 2nd.
Membership may waive the training, years of service and cligibiliq, requirements of Fireground
Officers with two-thirds approval of the membership.
2A Fire Chief
There shall be one (1) member elected as Fire Chief of the BVFD. To be eligible for such office,
a member shall have served ten (I (Y) years on a fire department with two (2) years prior
experience as Assistant Fire Chief for BVFD. Prior to the election for Fitt Chief, a candidate
must complete Firefighter 1, Incident Command System Training, and the National incident
Management System Training. Any Fire Chief elected by the Membership and appointed by
Mayor shall serve a two (2) year term as Fire Chief.
The Fire Chief shall be responsible for, but not limited to, the responsibilities listed below:
• Responsible for the operation of the Fire and Rescue Squad.
• Supervision and control of department members during the, time they are- on duty.
• Assume command and maintain control of personnel and equipment at an alarm.
• Maintain control of department equipment and property.
• See that all department property and equipment is properly cared for and kept in proper
working order.
• Recommend needed equipment to the Mayor, City Council and Rural Fire Board,
,b Develop operational procedures for the Fire Department.
• Attend meetings with the governing Fire Board and City Officials when necessary.
• Assign operational duties- to subordinate personnel when ticcessaiNy.
• The Fire Chief shall report to Mayor, Blair City Council, and the Blair Rural Fire Board.
BVFD COIIsLituLion & Bylaws 8 of 19
12 Assistant Fire Chief
There shall be up to two (2) members elected as Assistant Chiefs of the BVFD. To be eligible for
such office, a member shall have served seven (7) years on a departtrictit, with two (2) years
prior experience, as Fire Captain with the BVFD. Prior to the election for the Assistant Fire
Chief, a candidate must complete Firefighter I and National Incident Management System
Training, Incident Command System Training must be completed within one (1) year. Any
Assistant Fire Chief elected by the Membership and appointed by Mayor shall serve a two (2)
year term as Assistant Fire Chief,
One Assistant Fire Chief shall be elected as a First Assistant Fire Chief and a second Assistant
Chief shall be elected as the Second Assistant Fire Chief, They shall be responsible for, but not
limited to the responsibilities listed below:
• Report to the Fire Chief,
• Attend all meetings with the, governing board and any other meetings as required by the
Fire Chief.
• Assist the Fire Chief with day to day operations of the BVFD.
• Have a working knowledge of all firefighting procedures and equipment used by BVFD.
• First Assistant Chiefshall assume command of all fire personnel and equipment when the
Chicris, not present.
• Second Assistant Chief shall assume command of all fire personnel and equipment when
both the Chief and First Assistant Chief are not present.
2.3 Assistant Chief of EMS
There shall be one member elected as Assistant Chief of EMS. To be eligible for such office, a
member -.;hall have served seven (7) years of service on a rescue squad with two (2) years prior
experience as a Rescue Captain with the. BVFD. Assistant Chief of EMS must complete incident
Command System Training within one (1) year. Any Assistant Chief of EMS elected by the
Membership and appointed by Mayor shall serve a two (2) year term as Assistant Chief of EMS.
The Assistant Chief of EMS shall be responsible for, but not limited to the responsibilities listed
below:
• Report to the Fire Chief.
• Make recommendations to the Fire Chief of any needed equipment.
• Act as liaison for the Blair Fire Department with hospital directors, boards, and
Department Medical Director.
• Assume command of rescue personnel and equipt-fictit during rescue alarms.
• Develop and maintain operational procedures for the Rescue Squad.
• Maintain all medical, exposure, and accident records for the BVFD.
• Maintain records of EMS members licensure and certifications.
• Develop and maintain EMS protocols in coordination with Medical Dir. & Fire Chief.
• Develop and assess competency of members to practice at level certification.
• Maintain proficiency tests- for EMS operations.
• The Assistant Chief of EMS must maintain EMT certification.
BVI;D CumLitution & Bylaws 9 of 19
2.4 Fire Captain:
There shall be up to four (4) members elected as Fire. Captains of the. Blair Fire Department. To
be eligible for such office, a member shall have served five (5) years of service on the, BVFD.
Prior to the election for the Fire Captain, a candidate must complete Firefighter 1. Any Fire
Captain elected by the Membership and appointed by Mayor shall serve a two (2) year term as
Fire Captain.
The Fire Captain shall be responsible for, but not limited to, the responsibilities listed below:
• Report to the Fire Chief and Assistant Chicf(s).
• Assume cornmand of all fire personnel and equipment in the absence of a superior
officer.
• Have a working knowledge of all firefighting procedures and equipment used by the
BVFD.
Attend Incident Command System Training and any other training as required by a
superior officer.
2.5 EMS Captain:
There shall be up to two (2) members elected as EMS Captains of the BVFD. To be eligible for
such office, a member shall have served five (5) years on the BVFD with two (2) of those years
as an EMS provider on the Blair Rescue Squad. The EMS Captain must be EMT certified and
maintain the EMT certification in good standing, Any EMS Captain elected by the Membership
and appointed by Mayor shall serve, a two (2) year term as EMS Captain.
The EMS Captain shall be responsible for, but not limited to, the responsibilities listed below:
• Report to the Fire Chief and Assistant Chief of EMS.
• Assume command of rescue personnel and equipment during rescue alarms in the
absence of a superior officer.
• Responsible for training on and maintaining all EMS equipment on unit and stock
supplies.
• Work with Assistant Chief of EMS to order supplics/equipment for Res -cue Squads and
Rescue Boat.
Cbapter3: LIMITATION ON OFFICES AND VACANCIES
3.1 Holding multiple officer positions
No member may hold more than one (1) Fireground Officer or Administrative Officer position at
the same time.
3.2 Resignations and Vacancies
If any officer resigns-, dies or is removed from office and a vacancy occurs for any Fireground
Officer or Administrative Officer position, then the Membership shall vote on that persons
BVFD C41IStiLL16011 & Bylaws 10 of 19
vacancy within sixty (60) days, Any Fireground Officer such elected shall be approved by the
Mayor and Blair City Council prior to taking office.
Chapter 4: REMOVAL FROM OFFICE
4.1 Fire Chief`
The Fire Chief may be removed from office by the Mayor with City Council approval. All
grievances, complaints, or concerns regarding the Fire Chief shall be forwarded to the City of
Blair designee for handling human resource matters, The City of Blair designee will investigate
grievances, complaints, or concerns regarding the Fire Chief and n:iay make recommendation for
suspension or removal of the Fire Chief. However, the Mayor, with City Council approval, shall
make the final decision regarding any suspension or removal of the Fire Chief.
4.2 All other Executive (Administrative) or Fireground Officers
Any other Executive or Fireground Officer may be removed from his or her elected position
according to the same procedure outlined in "Discipline and impeachment" contained in these
Bylaws.
Chapter 5: COMMITTEES
5.1 Standing Committees, Special Committees, and Ad -Hoc Committees
The BVFD may form Standing Committees, Special Committees, and Ad -Hoc Committees to
carry out the functions of the BVFD.
5.2 Staiiding Committees
The Standing Committees include, but are not limited to: Auxiliary Lunch, Awards Banquet,
Election Committee, Employer Appreciation, Family Christmas Party, Fire Prevention, Old
Timer's Luncheon-, Pancake Feed, Retention and Recruitment, Technology Committee,
Scholarship Committee, Street Dance, Fund Drive.
5.3 Service Award Program
The Service Award Program was established and will be maintained pursuant to Nebraska
Statutes, Federal law, and as adopted by the City Ordinance of the Blair City Council. The
Service Program Committee will consist of Vice President, Fire Chief., Assistant Chief of
Emergency Medical Services, City Administrator, and City Treasurer.
The. Service Program Committee will meet a mininitaii of twice annually to review the program
investments, make changes to investment strategy, approve annual eligibility list and allocation
of new funds to eligible participants, and approve request of retiring participating members- for
distribution of vested hinds.
BVFD Comqitutit)n & Bylaws 11 of 19
Chapter 6- MEETINGS
6A Meeting Postings
Meetings held by the BVFD include an annual meeting, regular meeting, special meetings, fire
and rescue drills, All Meetings -,-,hall be posted in a manner to notify all members of the meeting
date, location, and time. Annual Meetings shall be posted no less than thirty (30) days prior to
the Annual Meeting. Regular Meetings shall be held on the first Thursday of each month. in the
event a Regular Meeting cannot occur on the 1 11 Thursday of the month, then the Regular
Meeting ;hall take place on the following Monday. Regular Meetings shall be posted no less than
seven ( 7) calendar days be fo ro said in ect i ng,
6.2 Special Meetings
All Special Meetings require the entire membership be notified of said meeting by posting at all
fire station,; and email notification. Special Meeting shall require at leas( seventy-two hours-'
notice to the membership before the Special Meeting.
6.3 Meeting Minutes
Minutes of all meeting,; shall be prepared by the Secretary, or the designee if the Secretary is
absent. All minutes shall be submitted in draft form to Membership within three (3) weeks of the
date the meeting was held. Final drafts of the minutes shall be approved at the next meeting of
the BVFD. The approved minutes shall be certified by the Secretary and placed permanently on
file in the. department records.
6.4 Fire and Rescue Drills
Fire and Rescue Drills will be held on the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, andlor 5th Thursday of the month.
Notification of Drills indicating the date, time, and place of the drill shall be posted in a manner
to notify all members of the drills. All notification of drills shall be posted no later than seven (7)
days before the drill.
Chapter 7: QUORUM
There must be a quorum present to hold a meeting and vote on matters, presented to the
membership. A quorum shall be a simple ni,jority of all members in good standing.
Chapter 8: VOTING
8*1 Quorum
A quorum of the Membership must be present to Adopt or Ratify the Bylaws of the BVFD. A
member must be present to vote..
BVFD Constitution &- Bylaws 12 of 19
8.2 Voting Eligibility
To be eligible to vote, a member must be in good standing with the BVFD, Probationary
Members of the BVFD are not entitled to vote. Good standing to vote means a inember is in
compliance with all meeting attendance., training, and call responses for his or her designation
within the BVFD. If a member is not in good standing, he or she may still attend and participate
in meetings, but he or she may not vote.
8.3 Vote to Adopt or Ratify the Bylaws; Approval by Blair City Council
A vote to adopt or ratify the BVFD Bylaws can be hold at an annual, regular, or special meeting
of the Membership. A two-thirds approval vote of eligible members present is required before
the Bylaws may be adopted or ratified by the, Membership. If the Membership adopts or ratifies
the Bylaws, then the entire Bylaws (as adopted andlor ratified) must be forwarded to the City
Council for its approval, No Bylaws or Bylaws amendment will be effective until after the City
Council approves said Bylaws.
8.4 Voting on Other Matters
All other matters (other than matters concerning the Constitution and Bylaws), may be approved
by a majority of eligible members present.
8.5 Procedure for Voting: Elections, Constitution, or Bylaws (Secret Ballot)
All election,; for Administrative or Fireground Officers, Constitution, or Bylaws, shall be
conducted by secret ballot. If a motion is, passed and seconded, then the matter shall be voted on
as outlined in this paragraph. Secret Ballots must be independently counted, in separate
locations, by the President, the Secretary, and the Sergeant of Arms, The results as to whether the
matter passed or failed, or whom was elected, shall be disclosed to the Membership. The vote
count does not need to be disclosed to the membership.
8.6 Procedure for Voting: All Other Matters
Voting on any other matter before the BVFD shall be by VOICE or by SHOW OF HANDS, as
the presiding officer may elect, unless a ROLL CALL with SECRET BALLOT is requested by
any members or by the presiding officer.
Chapter 9: MEMBERSHIP OF BVFD
9.1 Application Requirements
Applicants must complete the following requirerrictits:
a. Complete application packet
b. Medical examination and drug testing by designated agency
c. Physical fitness and agility test performed
BVFD COnStiktti0l! & Bylawq 13 of t9
& Written examination
o. Criminal background check as required by the City of Blair
f. Complete interview with the Fire Chief and Firoground Officers
g. Be approved by the Fire Chief and/or Mayor with approval of City Council
9.2 Application Requirements for EMS Positions Only
Applicants fully -trained in a medical field; or who are trained as an Emergency Medical
Responder, or equivalent level, or above; who wish to join BVFD as EMS personnel only, may
apply to join the department. Acceptance to the Membership is sulject to the same application
requirements as outlined in Section 9.1 above.
9.3 When New Applications are Accepted
Now applicants sliall be accepted in February and July each year.
9.4 Joining the BVFD
Should candidate be approved for probationary volunteer membership of BVFD sliall be
promised upon the following:
a. Satisfactory completion of a probationary period in accordance with these Bylaws.
b, Candidate must become a Nebraska Certified Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)
within the first two years of membership. That requirement being: Successful
completion of an approved EMT course and National Registry certification within 90
days of course completion. Once National Registry is achieved an applicant must file
with Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services and obtain state. liconsure
which must be maintained for duration of membership.
c. Emergency Medical Responder License in lion of EMT certification will be
considered by Fire Chief on a case by case basis.
d. Compliance with all other requirements of i-nomborship as set forth in BVFD
Standard Operations Guidelines.
c. Compliance with any other rules and regulations governing the BFVD, and
compliance with all reasonable orders and requests made by the Fire Chief and
Officers of the Department, in performance of their official duties.
f. Should the, applicant pass evaluations, he/she would be added to the departmental call
as a probationary candidate pending approval of the Mayor and Blair City Council as
a full member of the BVFD.
9.5 Probationary Period
All new candidates of the BVFD sliall be subject to a probationary period of at least six (6)
months but may be extended up to one (1) year at the discretion of the Fire Chief. If, during that
probationary period, the candidate fails to meet the member requirements of the BVFD, the
candidate may be terminated. Requirements for probationary candidate,-, are listed in the BVFD
BVFD Ct)mtitutioii & Bylaws 14 of 19
Standard Operating Guidelines. if the candidate completes the new member requirem ents
outlined in the BVFD Orientation Manual and BVFD Standard Operating Guidelines, the. Fire
Chief may recommend the candidates name to the Mayor to move from probation to hill member
status of the BVFD.
Chapter 10 MEETING ATTENDANCE, TRAINING, AND CALL RESPONSE
Meetings, training, and call requirements per years- of service are outlined to mect departmental
operations. Attendance at all meetings and drills is encouraged to remain well trained as a
member of BVFD. Members not attending minimum meeting, training, and response
requirements maybe disciplined or terminated pursuant to Chapter 14 of these Bylaws -
"Discipline and Impeachment".
1011 M1111111U111 Meeting and training requirements are:
a. Probationary candidatc/under one ( 1)y2L
_ar, Firefighter/EMS candidate will attend all
mectings and drills for the first year, with four (4) total excused absences permitted
for the year.
E t c1i p -)f (tQ � service: One (1) business meeting, two (2) rescue drills,
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and four (4) fire drills per quarter.
c. Eleven (I I ) to twenty (20) years of service: One (1) business meeting, two (2) rescue
drills, and three. (3) fire drills, per quarter.
d. Twenty-one (2 1) to thirty-five (35) years of service: One (I) business meeting, two
(2) rescue drills, and two (2) fire drills per quarter.
0. j:11 Lity- 1\1 us rs, f , i Two (2) business meetings, four (4) fire drills
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per year.
10.2 Minimum Call Requirements:
a. kfndqtogi- 60 calls, with a minimum of 10 in each quarter.
b. One (i) to ten (10) years of service: 50 calls, with minimum of 8 in each quarter.
c. Mpygi to tt�e (D 40 calls, with minimum of 6 in each
quarter.
d. Twenty-one (2 1) to thirty-five (35) years of service: 30 calls, with minimum of 5 in
each quarter.
e. Thirty-five (35) plus years of service: 0 calls.
10.3 Fireground Officer Call Response Requirements
Because effective leadership and guidance is needed for all members of the BVFD, an elected
Fireground Officer shall be required to attend more than the minimum call responses listed
above. in addition to the minimum meeting, training, and call response attendance policies
outlined above, any elected Fireground Officer shall attend a minimum of 15% of all call
responses for the entire BVFD fiscal year,
BVFD Constitution & Bylaws 15 of 19
Chapter 11; MEMBERSHIP DUTIES AND RESPONSIBLITIES
11.1 It shall be the duty of active members, on the alarm of fire, to report at once to the fire
station and assist in getting the firefighting apparatus to the, fire, if the equipment has
gone, to go at once to the, fire and report to the Fire Chief or incident Commander and not
leave the scene without pertylission from the same and obey all orders from their superior
Officers to the best of their ability.
11.2 Members at response scene,.-, shall conduct themselves in an orderly manner, avoiding the
useless destruction of property and may be liable to expulsion.
113 It shall be the duty of all members to attend meetings, training and calls. It shall be the
duty of all members to meet at a minimum, the meetings-., training, and call responses as
outlined in Chapter Teti, above, according to his or her years of service with the BVFD or
elected position.
11.4 Fire Chief or their designee will verify members are trained on operation of Firc/Rcscuc
apparatus before they can independently operate.
11.5 Roll call shall be taken at all drills. All members are expected to participate during
department drills. Members are responsible to submit call response forums, sign training
rosters, and submit outside education/training certificates as apply.
11.6 No member, at any time., shall be directly involved in response to a call while under the
inflUMCC of alcohol and/or drugs.
11.7 Each member accepts- full responsibility and the code of ethics inherent to this public
service which includes respect of cacti patient or family's privacy and shall comply with
all HIPPA regulations. No member shall disclose any aspect of a call response or patient
in question to any other person other than department members.
11.8 Courtesy, cooperation, and respect will be displayed to department members, legal
personnel, law enforcement officers, nurses, doctors, and the public at all times.
Chapter 12: SPECIAL BVFD APPOINTMENTS
12.1 Medical Director
There shall be one (I ) person appointed as the Medical Director of the BVFD in accordance with
the Nebraska State Statutes. This position will be selected by the- Assistant Chief of EMS and
Fire Chief who will then be presented to the BVFD membership for final approval. The Medical
Director's name shall be forwarded to the Mayor and Blair City Council.
The duties of this position Miall be but not limited to:
a. Oversee and approve all protocols of the rescue squad.
b. Be present at four (4) BVFD rescue squad trainings per year.
BVFD Con.qitution & Bylaws 16 of 19
c. Acts as liaison between the Assistant Chief of EMS and hospital.
d. Invited to all BVFD awards events.
c. Work with the Assistant Chief of EMS to develop and monitor all call review
process-.
f. Coordinate with the Assistant Chief of EMS and hospital emergency department staff
to develop and monitor a call review system to monitor the treatment given by the
BVFD rescued personnel.
g. Medical Director will not have any voting rights, any open positions on the BVFD, or
be eligible for any benefits- offered to members through the BVFD.
h. All services given to the BVFD will be volunteered with no compensation provided.
i. Medical Director will not be allowed to attend any business meeting,;.
12.2 Photographer
There shall be one pot -son appointed as the BVFD Photographer. This position will be selected
by the Fire Chief who will then bring to the BVFD membership for final approval.
The duties of this position shall be not limited to:
a. Allowed to be present at any training, department ftinct ion, or emergency scene for
the BVFD with approval of scene incident Commander for only purpose of taking
pictures or video.
b. All picture.,; and videos must first be approved by the Fire Chief, or designee, before
any publishing, distribution, or any method of processing to view contents.
c. Photographer is responsible for their own safety at any scene. They will by no means
be covered under the BVFD, City of Blair, or Blair Rural Fire District Insurance.
d. Photographer will not have any voting rights-, any open position on the BVFD, or be
eligible for any benefits- offered to member,; through the BVFD.
c. All services given to the BVFD will be volunteered with no compensation provided.
f. Photographer will not be allowed to attend any business meetings.
12.3 Chaplain
There shall be one person appointed as the BVFD Chaplain. This position will be selected by the
Fire Chief or designee who will then be presented to the BVFD membership for final approval.
The duties of this position shall include but not limited to:
a. Required to make four drills pet• calendar year.
b. May be called on to meet with families of victims or crow members at the
hospital/station after difficult calls.
BVFD COnStilL16011 & Bylaws 17 of 19
c. Would be available to call upon any member for personal issues that a member may
have.
d. The Chaplin will operate with the understanding that anything revealed during an
incident is confidential and may not be discussed outside of the department
membership.
e. Chaplin will not have any voting rights, any open position on the BVFD, or be
eligible for any benefits offered to members through the BVFD.
f. All services given to the BVFD will be volunteered with no compensation provided.
g. Chaplin will not be allowed to attend any business meetings.
Chapter 13: BUSINESS / FINANCIAL OPERATIONS
Administrative positions will maintain operations at all business meetings and related to general
operations of the BVFD. All records will be maintained by appropriate offices in accordance
with regulations. Fireground Officers will maintain fire and EMS records as required by State,
Federal, and local Regulations.
Chapter 14: DISCIPLINE AND APPEAL PROCESS
14:1 No Member shall be removed, suspended, demoted, or discharged, or anyway
disciplined, except for good cause.
14.2 Disciplinary action may be applied in a progressive mariner including the following.
1. Verbal Warnings
2, Written Reprimands/Warnings
3. Suspensions)
4. Demotion
5. Removal or Discharge
Verbal Warnings and Written Reprimands/'Warnings cannot be appealed. All other
actions can be appealed, unless Member is a in probationary status.
14.3 Prior to any discipline being issued, the Fire Chief and/or the City of Blair designee must
investigate the. matter. Before issuing any discipline, the City Administrator and City
Attortiq must be consulted by the Fire Chief: If the Fire Chief issues discipline that may
result in suspension, demotion or removal, the Fire Chief sluall issue a written decision to
the Member notifying him/leer of what discipline,, if any, is being given and the reasons
for his or her decision.
14.4 The member wanting to appeal the decision of the Chief to suspend, demote, remove or
discharge shall within ten (10) business days of the notice of action by the Chief file a
request to appeal to the Fiat Department Appeals Board. The, Appeals Board shall within
five (5) business days of receiving the notice of appeal schedule a hearing to consider
B\SII'D Constitution & Bylaws 18 of 19
said appeal. Hearing shall not be held later than ten (10) calendar days from date giving
notice. Within five (5) calendar clays of the hearing the Board shall notify the member of
higher decision.
14.5 The member wanting to appeal the decision of the Chief and Board to suspend, demote,
remove or discharge shall within ton (I 10) business days of the notice of action by the
Chief file a request to appeal to the Mayon with the City Clerk, The Mayor shall within
five (5) business days of receiving the notice of appeal schedule a hearing to consider
said appeal. Hearing shall not be held later than ten (10) calendar days from date giving
notice. Within five (5) calendar days of the hearing the Mayor shall notify the officer of
his ier decision. The Mayor may uphold the decision of the Chief, alter the decision, or
vacate said decision of the, Chief. 1fthe. Mayor vacates the Chief's decision the; member
shall be reinstated.
Chapter 15- RESIGNATIONS
Mernbels, may resign from the Department at any time. Member will submit a letter of
resignation to the Fire Chief and return all department issued uniforms, equipment, and keys.
Date Approved,
lb -lam History and Version Control (sorted 1mvest to oldest
Version
Reason for Change (High -Level Summary)
Approved by
DatBlae e City Council
2018,1
2018 Rednift
12l11;'2f1113
BVFD Constitution & Bylaws 19 of 19