CC Resolution No. 1540 18
RESOLUTION NO. 1540
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BAYTOWN,
TEXAS, OPPOSING THE CHARTER AMENDMENT REQUIRING A
MINIMUM NUMBER OF FIRE STATIONS, EMERGENCY VEHICLES AND
FIRE PERSONNEL.
WHEREAS, the City of Baytown Fire Department's current operating procedures for
structural fires complies with state law (S.B. 382)known as the"2 in/2 out rule"; and
WHEREAS, the "2-in/2-out" rule is not meant to preclude firefighters from performing
emergency rescue activities before an entire team has assembled; and
WHEREAS, the City Council is committed to protect the health, safety and welfare of
our citizens and our firefighters; and
WHEREAS, City Council respects and appreciates our firefighters commitment to their
profession; and
WHEREAS, our firefighters initiated a petition to amend the Charter of the City of
Baytown; and
WHEREAS, if approved, this charter amendment would require the City of Baytown to
maintain a minimum of 5 fire stations, a minimum of 1 fire emergency vehicle at each station
and a minimum of 4 personnel, consisting of 1 officer, 1 fire equipment operator, and 2
firefighters at each station; and
WHEREAS, a city charter is comparable to the federal or state constitution in that it
defines the powers and duties of the city; and
WHEREAS, staffing of the departments of the City of Baytown are "operational"
matters, which are best addressed through the ordinance making powers of the City Council
thereby allowing the governing body the flexibility to respond to catastrophic events and
changing economic conditions/constraints; and
WHEREAS, no city in Texas with a population of 50,000 or greater has fire staffing in
their city charter; and
WHEREAS, the City is committed to examining all available alternatives for additional
fire staffing in order to maintain maximum safety standards for our citizens and our firefighters;
and
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WHEREAS, the Charter amendment would restrict future Councils of the City of
Baytown to govern the City in their elected capacity; and
WHEREAS, the City Council desires to express its opposition to the Charter amendment
on the May 4`11 ballot, to amend the Charter; NOW THEREFORE,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BAYTOWN,
TEXAS:
Section 1: That in its commitment to protect the health, safety and welfare of our
citizens and our firefighters, the City Council hereby expresses its intent to examine all available
alternatives for additional firefighter staffing in order to maintain maximum safety standards.
Section 2: That the City Council of the City of Baytown, Texas, hereby opposes
Proposition No. 1 on the May 4ch ballot, to amend the Charter. Such proposition restricts future
City Councils and is not the appropriate means for addressing operational (staffing) issues.
INTRODUCED, READ and PASSED, by the affirmative vote of the City Council of the
City of Baytown this the 25`h day of April, 2002.
PETE C. ALFARO, Mayor
ATTEST:
GAIeY W. MITH, City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
efGNACI0 RAMIREAJR., City Attorney
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