Of the establishment of a Fire Department and prescribing and regulating the duties of the officers and members thereof.

The Village Board of Grantsburg do ordain as follows:

Section 1. The formation of a fire department, to consist of a fire company and a hook and ladder company is hereby authorized. Each company shall number not less than 12 ablebodied men, between the ages of 18 and 50 years, and shall be formed by voluntary engagement only. The members of the department may elect its own officers, subject to the approval of the village board, and may adopt its own bylaws, rules and regulations, and when such organization is completed shall report the same to the village board and receive in charge such property as said board may deliver to them to aid in the extinguishment of fires, provided that said board approves of such organization and the rules, bylaws and regulations thereof.

   Section 2. The said fire department shall have the following named officers: a president, a secretary, a treasurer, a fire chief or warden, one or more assistant fire chiefs or wardens, and such other officers as may be prescribed by the bylaws of such organization, and shall hold their office for the term of one year from the 15th day of January each year, and until their successors shall have been elected and qualified.

   Section 3. The fire chief or warden, and in his absence the ranking assistant chief shall have full control and authority over the members of said companies from the time of going to any fire and until the fire is over, and all hose are cleaned and other fire apparatus are properly housed. The said chief or warden shall call out the said companies for practice and inspection as often and at such times as he may deem necessary. He shall, during the month of December of each year, make to the village board a report setting forth the conditions, wants and defects of the department and make such suggestions and recommendations as to him may seem proper.

   Section 4. the fire chief or warden is hereby authorized at all reasonable times to enter and examine dwelling houses, lots, inclosures and buildings of every description in order to discover whether any of them are in a dangerous condition and insecure from fires. In case he shall find any of them in a dangerous condition and insecure from fire he shall immediately order the owner or occupant of such dwelling house, lots, inclosures and buildings to have them made secure and put them in a safe condition. In case the owner or occupant shall neglect to comply with such order of the fire chief or warden, the said chief or warden shall cause the same to be made secure and the expense so incurred shall be assessed on such dwelling house, lot, inclosure or building and be collected the same as any other taxes.

   Section 5. The fire chief or warden shall cause all apparatus for the extinguishment of fire to be kept in good condition and repairs and ready for immediate use.

   Section 6. It shall be lawful for any member of the village board, the chief or warden, or in his absence the ranking assistant to require the aid of any citizen or inhabitant of the village in drawing any engine or other fire apparatus to the fire, or nearby the fire or in moving or guarding of property; and it shall be lawful for any two members of the village board who may be at the fire to order and direct any inhabitant of said village to aid in pulling down and razing such buildings in the vicinity of the fire for the purpose of preventing its communication to other buildings. Any person who shall neglect and refuse to obey the order of any of the said officers shall be punished by a fine of not less than $3 nor more than $15, and in default of payment of such fine and costs shall be committed to the county jail until such payment be made, not to exceed 20 days.

   Section 7. It shall be unlawful in the case of and during the continuance of a fire to bring on the premises where the fire is for any purpose whatever, unless the same shall be ordered by the village president or fire chief, any strong malt, ardent or intoxicating liquors and drinks. Any person who shall sell or give away during a fire such liquors and drinks, or bring such liquors and drinks onto the premises where the fire is, unless ordered, as hereinbefore provided, shall be punished by a fine not less than $5 nor more than $15, and in default of the payment of such fine and costs shall be committed to the county jail until such payment be made, not to exceed 20 days.

   Section 8. In order to enable the fire department and the chief or warden to keep the engine and other apparatus and appurtenances for the extinguishment of fires in good condition and working order and defraying other incidental expenses, the village board shall appropriate at such times as said board sees fit such amounts as may in the judgment of said board be necessary therefor.

   Section 9. The treasurer of the fire department shall report to the village board during the month of December of each year the amount of money received by him as such treasurer, and from what source received, and for what purposes expended and disbursed.

   Section 10. This ordinance shall take effect and be in force after having been published one week in a newspaper published in the village of Grantsburg, Wis.

Passed March 5, 1900.

J.A. HICKERSON,
President

A.A. Anderson
Village Clerk