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337 Upon motion of Commissioner Smith, seconded by Commissioner Cleveland, the following contract was unanimously adopted: RESOLUTION OF TIE BOARD OF COUNTY COWSSIONERS OF ORANGE COUNTY PROVIDING FOR THE ESTABLISHMSUI OF THE ORANGE COUNTY FIRE COMMISSION AND PROVIDING FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO CERTAIN FIRE DEPARTM TTS OF THE COUNTY Whereas, G. S. 153-9(39) empowers a board of county commissioners to provide for the organization,. equipment, maintenance, and government of fire companies and fire departments, and Whereas, the Board of County Commissioners of Orange County is of the opinion and has found and determined that it is for the best interest and necessary for the protedtion of the citizens of said county and their property (a) to encourage and financially aid in the equipment, maintenance, and government of fire departments in the county in order that these departments can protect public school buildings and other county buildings, as well as homes and other property, in the rural areas of the county, (b) to establish a protective fire fighting organization to work with and to supplement the Orange County Civil Defense Organization, and (c) in general to provide for the more adequate and efficient protection of life and property in the rural areas of Orange County and to provides trained body of men to assist the urban areas of the county in case of emergency; NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF ORANGE COUNTY: Section 1. There is hereby created the Orange County Fire Commission to be composed of three members as follows: (a) One member of the Board of County Commissioners of Orange County, to be appointed by the said board and to be known as the Fire Commissioner. (b) An active volunteer fireman, who shall be appointed by the Board of County Commissioners. (c) A member at large who shall be a citizen of orange County and who shall be appointed by the Board of County Commissioners. As Boca as possible after the adoption of this resolution, the Board of County Commissioners shell appoint the members of the Fire Commission. These members will serve until the first Monday in December following the adoption of this resolution. Thereafter, on each first Mamday in December, appointments will be made to the Fire Commission for terms of one year. The Fire Commissioner shall be the chairman of the commission, and the commission shall choose its own secretary. The duties and powers of the Commission shall be as specified in this resolution, and the Commission shall make rules and regulations necessary to carry out the provisions of this resolution. The Commission shall, from time to time, review the provisions and requirements contained in this resolution, and it shall recommend to the Board of County Commissioners amendments or changes which the Commission may deem advisable. Section 2. Beginning with the first day of the first month following the adoption of this resolution, Orange County will offer financial assistance for the maintenance and operation of any fire department qualifying for financial assistance under the terms of this resolution, in the amount of $ monthly, payable on or before the tenth day of each month. The monthly payment to each depasme "? shall be used for the purchase and maintenance of equipment and for the operation of the department. No individual fireman or group of firemen shall individually receive any pay or rAmunera- tion from the monthly payment herein provided for services rendered as volunteer firemen. Section 3. A rural volunteer fire department, or a municipally-operated fire department, desiring financial assistance under this resolution, shall make application therefor to the Board of County Commissioners. Upon receipt of such application, the said board will notify the Fire Commission, and the commission shall inspect the fire department, its equipment, personnel, organ- ization, and method of operation. As soon thereafter as possible, the commission shall file a written report with the board signi:ying whether such department meets the minimum standards herein contained. If the department does meet minimum standards, the board shall approve the application and the department shall be eligible for the monthly payment beginning the first of the following month. Section 4. The Fire Commission shall make regular inspections of each fire department receiving payments under this resolution. At least one inspection shall be made annually, but the commission may make such other inspections as it deems advisable. During the course of any such inspection, the Fire Commission shall determine whether the department is continuing to meet the minimum standards as here in specified, and the findings of the commission shall be reported to the Board of County Commissioners. Section 5. If during any inspection by the Fire Commission, the commission determines that the fire department is not meeting mini== standards as set forth in this resolution, notice of deficiency must thereupon be given in writing by the Fire Commissioner to the fire chief and at least two members of the department. This notice shall specify, that a period of fifteen days shall be allowed to correct the deficiencies. At the end of the fifteen day period, an inspection shall be made by the Fire Commissioner to determine if the deficiencies have been corrected. If the deficiencies have not been corrected, the Fire Commissioner shall notify the Board of County Commissioners, and the monthly payments shall cease until such time as the department shall meet the minimum standards of this resolution. Thereafter, when the fire department is of the opinion that it is again meeting the standards, it shall again apply for financial assistance in accordance with the provisions of Section 3 above.