Town of Washington - Ordinance 26-4.1

No. 349-April 23-1 Time

ORDINANCE 26-4.1

AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN OF WASHINGTON, OKLAHOMA, AMENDING THE WASHINGTON CODE OF ORDINANCES AND ADOPTING THE REVISED BYLAWS AND STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES FOR THE WASHINGTON VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT; REPEALING ALL ORDINANCES OR PARTS OF ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT HEREWITH; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE

Whereas, the Town of Washington has established and maintains the Washington Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department for the protection of life and property within the Town and surrounding area as authorized by applicable Oklahoma law; and,

Whereas, the Board of Trustees finds it necessary and desirable to adopt updated bylaws and standard operating procedures to provide clear guidance regarding department organization, membership, duties, operations, discipline, safety, and administration; and,

Whereas, the revised bylaws and standard operating procedures have been reviewed and are hereby deemed in the best interests of the Town of Washington and its citizens; and,

Whereas, the Town Board desires to formally adopt the revised bylaws and standard operating procedures as the governing internal document for the Washington Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE TOWN OF WASHINGTON, OKLAHOMA:

Section 1. Amendment to Code of Ordinances.

Section 7-1(D)(7) of the Washington Code of Ordinances is hereby amended to read in its entirety as follows:

“Any volunteer of the Fire Department shall be dropped from the rolls by the Town Administrator, upon the recommendation of the Fire Chief, for any of the following offenses: (1) conduct unbecoming of a firefighter, (2) insubordination, (3) neglect of duty, (4) violation of rules and regulations governing the Department or (5) conviction of a felony.”

Section 2. Adoption of Bylaws and Standard Operating Procedures.

The Revised Bylaws and Standard Operating Procedures for the Washington Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department, attached hereto as Exhibit A, are hereby approved and adopted by the Town of Washington and shall govern the internal operations of the Department, subject to the laws of the State of Oklahoma, the Town Charter, and applicable ordinances and policies of the Town.

Section 3. Authority and Administration.

The Fire Chief, Town Administrator, and other authorized officials of the Town shall have authority to administer and implement the adopted bylaws and standard operating procedures in a manner consistent with Town policy and applicable law.

Section 4. Conflicts.

In the event of any conflict between the adopted bylaws and standard operating procedures and any applicable federal law, state law, Town ordinance, or Town policy, the higher authority shall control.

Section 5. Severability.

If any section, subsection, sentence, clause, or phrase of this Ordinance is for any reason held to be invalid, unlawful, or unconstitutional by a court of competent jurisdiction, such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this Ordinance, which shall remain in full force and effect.

Section 6. Repealer.

All ordinances, resolutions, policies, procedures, or parts thereof in conflict with the provisions of this Ordinance are hereby repealed to the extent of such conflict.

Section 7. Codification.

This Ordinance shalI be codified in the September 2025 Town of Washington Code of Ordinances in Appendix D - Additional Supplemental Ordinances.

Section 8. Effective Date.

This Ordinance shall take effect and be in full force from and after its passage, approval, and publication as required by law.

ADOPTED AND PASSED by the Board of Trustees of the Town of Washington, Oklahoma, on this 14 day of April, 2026.

SIGNED by the Mayor of the Town of Washington on this 14 day of April, 2026.

/s/ Joel Siria

Joel Siria, Mayor

ATTEST:

/s/ Kasey Lesher

Kasey Lesher, City Clerk, Town Clerk

Approved as to form this 14 day of April, 2026

/s/ Josh Simpson

Municipal Attorney

(Seal)