Sections:
10.16.010 Running vehicle over fire equipment prohibited.
10.16.020 Debris removal after fire required.
10.16.030 Fire hydrant--Obstructing prohibited.
10.16.040 Fire zone.
10.16.050 Hazardous fire areas.


10.16.010 RUNNING VEHICLE OVER FIRE EQUIPMENT PROHIBITED. No person shall operate any vehicle, locomotive or railroad car, on, over or across any hose, ladders, or other equipment, of the fire department. (Ord. 1992-11 § 3 (part), 1992; Ord. 1983-10 § 22, 1983: prior code § 88.05).

10.16.020 DEBRIS REMOVAL AFTER FIRE REQUIRED. The owner or person having under his control, or in his possession, upon any premises in the city, any hay, straw, bales of wool, cotton, paper or other substances which have been rendered useless or unmerchantable by reason of any fire on such premises, or any debris resulting from such fire, must remove the same from the premises as soon as possible. (Ord. 1992-11 § 3 (part), 1992; Ord. 1983-10 § 23, 1983: prior code § 88.08).

10.16.030 FIRE HYDRANT -- OBSTRUCTING PROHIBITED. (a) No person shall obstruct any fire hydrant in any manner.
(b)  No person shall place or deposit lumber, rock, sand, debris or other substance within a minimum three foot clear space around the circumference of any fire hydrant nor within fifteen feet from the face or sides of the outlets of any hydrant on any public or private property in the city.
(c)  No person shall plant or maintain shrubs, bushes, or other vegetation, or construct or maintain any fences or poles, or any other structures on any public or private property, any of which are a danger to the public health, safety or welfare within a minimum three foot clear space around the circumference of any fire hydrant nor within fifteen feet from the face or sides of the outlets of any fire hydrant.
(d)  If any obstruction is maintained in violation of subsection (b) of this section, it shall be summarily removed on order of the City Manager, Chief of the Fire Department, or Chief of the Police Department.


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* For provisions relating to the city fire department, see Chapter 2.36.

(e)  If any obstruction is maintained in violation of subsection (c) of this section, and the chief of the fire department finds that it is dangerous to the public health, safety or welfare, he may give notice in writing to the person maintaining such obstruction to remove it within ten days after receipt of such notice. The notice herein prescribed shall be delivered in person or transmitted by United States mail, postage prepaid, addressed to the person maintaining such obstruction, or owning the premises, at his last known residence or business address.
In the event that the obstruction has not been removed to the satisfaction of the chief of the fire department within ten days after giving the notice, the chief of the fire department may forthwith cause the obstruction to be removed, provided as follows:
(1) That within ten days after giving such notice, the person maintaining the obstruction may appeal in writing to the city council, and during the period of pendency of the appeal, and until final determination by the council the chief of the fire department shall not remove the obstruction unless he determines that its continuance is hazardous;
(2) The appeal shall be filed in the office of the city clerk;
(3) The appeal shall be set for hearing at the meeting of the council next succeeding the receipt of notice thereof by the City Clerk, if the notice of appeal is received five or more days prior to such meeting; if the notice of appeal is received less than five days prior to such meeting, the hearing shall be set for the second succeeding regular meeting of the council after receipt of the notice;
(4) Evidence may be submitted at the hearing in behalf of the appellant and the city, and the council shall make finding thereon. The findings of the council shall be final, conclusive and binding upon all parties.
(f)  The use of any wrenches, other than approved fire department spanners, for the purpose of opening or shutting any fire hydrant is prohibited. No fire hydrant shall be used by any person other than a member of the fire department, a city employee, or an employee of the water company supplying water to the hydrant of the city, without first having secured a permit in writing from the fire department. The permit shall contain such conditions as may be specified by the chief of the fire department, and may restrict the permittee to the use of specified hydrants.
The chief of the fire department may also require that the applicant for such permit post a cash security or a surety bond with the City Clerk in such form and amount as the chief of the fire department shall determine, guaranteeing to save the city harmless from any and all damage which may accrue by reason of the use of any fire hydrant.
(g)  Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, the violation of any portion hereof is a misdemeanor or infraction as charged pursuant to Chapter 1.04 and shall be punishable pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 1.04. (Ord. 1992-11 § 3 (part), 1992; Ord. 1990-8 § 10, 1990; Ord. 1987-5 § 10, 1987; Ord. 1983-10 § 24, 1984: prior code § 88.03).

10.16.040 FIRE ZONE. (a) There is established about the scene of every fire during its course a "fire zone," which will consist of all public and private streets within a radius of three hundred feet or more from such fire, and in any case shall include the two closest street intersections.
(b)  All traffic, vehicular and pedestrian, including but not limited to, locomotives, railroad cars, within a "fire zone" shall stop and no person shall move, operate or start to move or operate any vehicle except upon orders of the chief of police or a chief fire officer.
(c)  It is unlawful to enter a "fire zone" or to stop, stand, or park in such a manner as to hinder the apparatus of the fire department in entering or leaving any "fire zone."
(d)  Such "fire zone" shall remain in existence until such time as the fire chief or his authorized agent has declared the emergency past. (Ord. 1992-11 § 3 (part), 1992; Ord. 1983-10 § 27, 1983; prior code 88.01).

10.16.050 HAZARDOUS FIRE AREAS.
(a)  For purposes of this Section, "hazardous fire area" means any property owned, leased, or otherwise occupied by the City that is designated as a hazardous fire area by the City Manager or the Fire Chief pursuant to this Section.
(b)  Whenever the City Manager or the Fire Chief determines that a fire hazard exists on property owned, leased, or otherwise occupied by the City because of the presence of flammable material or cover or the usage of the property, the area may be declared to be a hazardous fire area. In any such declaration, restrictions on usage may be designated for the hazardous fire area.
(c)  The City Manager or the Fire Chief may restrict, condition, or prohibit smoking, flammable material usage or possession, specified occupancies or uses, and entry to the property, as the official believes necessary to protect the public safety.
(d)  Notice of the declaration will be posted at intervals of approximately every 300 feet around the boundaries of the declared hazardous fire area; provided, however, that in areas where steepness of grade, inaccessibility, or other conditions make such signage infeasible at 300-foot increments, the notice shall be posted as deemed proper by the Fire Chief or City Manager. The City Manager or the Fire Chief may also cause notice of the declaration to be published in a newspaper of general circulation or otherwise promulgated as he or she believes is appropriate.
(e)  It is unlawful for any person to enter upon or remain in any hazardous fire area that has been declared closed to entry pursuant to this Section or to violate any other condition, restriction, or prohibition contained in such a declaration. (Ord. 1992-11 § 3 (part), 1992; Ord. 1990-23 § 1, 1990).