SECTION II. The purpose of this organization is to protect life, property and the environment of our community from fire and disaster, through the efforts of public education and emergency mitigation.

SECTION I. The membership of this organization is open to any person of good character who is intelligent, reliable and physically able and is at least eighteen (18) years of age.

There will be a maximum of six (6) members allowed between the age of sixteen (16) and eighteen (18), These members will be designated as Cadets.

SECTION II. Prospective firemen shall make written application to the fire department.

SECTION III. Applications will be accepted during business meetings and applicant shall be voted on for approval during the following business meeting, applicant must be present at meeting, but is to be dismissed during discussion of application and vote. A majority affirmative vote from voting members in attendance shall elect.

SECTION IV. The number of members in this organization shall not be less than twenty (20).

SECTION I. The officers shall consist of a Chief, three (3) Captains, three (3) First Lieutenants, a Secretary, and a Treasurer.

SECTION II. All officers will be elected by the membership. Elections shall be at the business meeting in November. Officers shall take office at the first meeting in January. A majority vote shall elect. Members are not eligible for an office until they have completed their probation period with Highpoint Fire District.

SECTION III. The duties of the officers shall be:

CHIEF- He/she shall be responsible for the general welfare and the development of the department in fire fighting and its safety. He/she is to be senior officer in charge of all operations.

THREE (3) CAPTAINS- One captain from each station shall be elected. Assistant chief and training officer shall be elected from the three captains. Assistant chief shall be second in command in all cases where the chief has jurisdiction, assist the chief in any way possible, and assume command when the chief is absent. The training officer shall be responsible for carrying out training programs so that firemen will be more effective in their missions. To drill and teach safety of firefighters and the public. At regular meetings to review calls from the past month and to assume command in the absence of the chief and assistant chief. The other captain shall serve as assistant training officer.

THREE (3) FIRST LIEUTENANTS- Each will be in charge of and care for all fire fighting equipment at their respective station. Each will keep same in A-1 condition and ready for service at all times. To make request to the chief for any supplies and equipment needed, and to perform the duties of the chief in the absence of higher ranking officers. A first lieutenant will be elected from each fire station.

SECRETARY- He/she shall keep the minutes of all meetings, maintain the roll, and handle the official correspondence of the department.

TREASURER- He/she shall act as financial officer and shall collect, receive and hold on deposit in a local bank all funds of the fire department. Endorse and collect checks and negotiable instruments and sign all checks upon the funds of the fire department.

SECTION I. Regular business meetings will be held each month at the time and location decided by the majority vote. Training meetings shall be held at a location and time to be designated by the chief or training officer in charge of training meeting.

SECTION II. The chief may call special meetings at any time and location.

SECTION III. The executive committee shall consist of all the officers. There shall be an auditing committee composed of the board of directors.

SECTION IV. More than three (3) unexcused absences shall constitute reason for a member being dropped or upon missing six (6) meetings in one calendar year, excused or otherwise, the member shall be required to appear before the executive committee and explain his reason for being absent. At that time he/she may be dropped or retained, depending upon the findings and upon judgment of the executive committee. Special training shall be considered a meeting.

SECTION I. A member shall be expected at all times to conduct himself in such a manner as to command the respect of his/her fellow firefighters and the general public.

SECTION II. Any member may be dropped from the department at any time if he/she becomes a detriment to the department or does not obey and abide by the organizations rules and regulations. Any member dropped from the department shall be voted on at a regular business meeting, majority vote shall carry. No one will be allowed to serve as member on Highpoint Fire District if ever convicted of arson.

SECTION I. Amendments shall be submitted by at least three (3) members at a regular meeting which will then be referred to the officers who shall report within thirty (30) days. The amendment may then be acted upon and adopted if approved by two-thirds (2/3s) of the members present, provided there is a quorum.

SECTION I. Cadets may be admitted provided they are sixteen (16) years of age, and have parental permission. A Cadet will not be allowed to drive any department vehicles, perform any interior firefighting operations or be in an IDLH atmosphere. They may and are expected to actively participate in all training exercises and drills as deemed appropriate by the training officer in charge of the exercise.

SECTION II. There shall be no more than six (6) Cadet in membership at any time .

SECTION III The parent(s) or legal guardian(s) must meet with the executive committee before the Cadet can be accepted as a member.

SECTION IV Cadets must be students of a public, private or home school or must have received high school diploma or GED. Those who have not yet graduated must maintain passing grades in all subjects.

SECTION V Cadets will not be allowed to leave school to answer any fire alarms. Cadets will not be allowed to carry fire department pagers into school. Every effort will be made to ensure that Cadets will be dismissed from any early morning alarms early enough to attend classes on time.

SECTION I Each new member must go through a probation period lasting a minimum of twelve (12) months. This will be a period to test your suitability as a fire fighter. Cadets will be under probation until they are eighteen (18) years of age or for a minimum of twelve (12) months. Any bylaw or SOG infraction during this period may result in immediate dismissal from the organization.

SECTION I Voting rights will be allowed to any active member who is 18 years of age or older and has met the objectives set forth as outlined in the Basic Training SOG.

SECTION II All members may actively participate in business meetings, including discussion of and opinions on matters at hand, but only members having completed their probation period will be allowed to make or second a motion.

SECTION I Members are prohibited from responding to calls while under the influence of alcohol, drugs or any effective medicines. Depending on circumstances, any person found guilty of such conduct shall be subject to temporary loss of driving privileges, probation or dismissal from department.

SECTION II Drivers are prohibited from driving any department vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, drugs or any effective medicines. Any person found guilty of such conduct shall be subject to permanent loss of driving privileges, probation or dismissal from department. If in doubt of your physical condition DON’T respond.