Legal Mandates

Code of Ordinances: County of Volusia

ARTICLE II. DEPARTMENT OF FIRE SERVICES*

Sec. 54-31. Creation; administrator.

There is hereby created the department of fire services. The department of fire services shall be under the supervision of an administrator, who shall report to the county manager. The position shall be filled in accordance with the county administrative code (chapter 2, articles II, III and IV), and the merit system rules and regulations (chapter 86, article II).
(Ord. No. 88-11, § III, 4-21-88)

Sec. 54-32. Powers and duties.

(a) The fire services administrator shall take that action necessary to ensure that the powers and duties of an ex officio agent of the state fire marshal as set forth in F.S. ch. 633 are satisfied.

(b) The department of fire services is authorized to utilize certified fire safety inspectors or equivalent to enforce the codes and ordinances adopted by the county council, as well as for:

(1) Inspection of potential hazards.

(2) Abatement of existing fire hazards.

(3) Investigation of cause, origin and circumstances
of fires.

(4) Control and use of explosives and flammables.

(5) Regulation of the maintenance of fire escapes.

(6) Regulation of the maintenance of automatic and other private fire alarm systems and fire extinguishing equipment.

(7) Control of the means and the adequacy of
exits in case of fire, from factories, schools,
hotels and lodging, houses, hospitals and
churches, halls, theaters and other places in
which numbers of persons work, meet,
live or congregate.

(8) Inspection and enforcement of the installation
and maintenance of emergency water
supply systems and sprinkler systems.

(9) Enforcement of all provisions of the Stan-
dard Fire Prevention Code and Life Safety
Code relating to fire prevention.

(10) Education fire prevention programs.

(11) Establishment of motor vehicle routes and
fire lanes in the manner provided by the codes
adopted by the chapter.

(c) The department of fire services shall provide
fire suppression, fire prevention and emergency
rescue services and perform other duties
assigned by the county manager within the
unincorporated areas of the county, except as
otherwise provided by law, and may, upon
request of any municipality, exercise the duties
set forth in this article within such
municipality.

(d) Right of entry for inspection shall be as follows:

(1) Fire safety inspectors or equivalent shall have
the right and authority to enter any building,
structure or premises within the unincorporated
areas of the county for the purpose of making
inspections or investigations at all reasonable
hours; provided that, except in cases of emer-
gency, the right and authority conferred by this
section shall not apply to the entry of a private
residence unless written notice is served upon
the occupant thereof. Such written notice shall
contain a statement of the time an inspection
shall be made and shall also contain a
statement of the purposes of such inspection or
investigation, which purpose shall be within the
scope of this article.

(2) The inspection and examination authorized by
this article shall be for the purpose of reporting
and correcting the following fire hazards or
fire conditions pertaining to buildings and their
occupants:

a. Disrepair
b. Age and dilapidated condition.
c. Faulty or unapproved construction.
d. Inadequate fire escapes or lack of means of
egress.
e. Inadequate fire alarm protection.
f. Inadequate fire extinguishing equipment,
g. Materials in building especially suitable to
fire.
h. Conditions endangering other property or
occupants.
i. Inadequate emergency water supply or
inadequate sprinkler system where required.
j. Any other fire hazards dangerous to life or
property.
k. Investigation and inspection of fires and fire
damaged to determine the cause of such
fires and recommend prevention of
additional fires.
(Ord. No. 88-11, § IV, 4-21-88)

Sec. 54-34. Investigation of fires: records.

(a) The department of fire services shall establish
procedures for the prompt investigation of the cause, origin and circumstances of any fire. The department of fire services shall investigate each and every fire occurring in the unincorporated areas of the county and take that action necessary pursuant to establish procedure.

(b) The department of fire services shall keep a record of all fire and emergency rescue calls for service within the unincorporated areas and serviced municipalities.
(Ord. No. 88-11, § VI, 4-21-88)