Otto Fire Department 
Section 7. – Captain-EMS (EMS Officer)
The EMS Captain shall be in charge of the day-to-day operations of the ambulance squad. He shall be an active member of the organization. He shall maintain the equipment and ensure that the ambulance is in a stocked and ready condition at all times. While on duty at an alarm, he shall act as an advisor to the chief on matters of emergency medical care and rescue operations. He shall have direct command over members of the ambulance squad while on an emergency medical alarm. He shall act as the Infection Control Coordinator as required by the exposure control plan of the Otto Fire Company.
Section 8. – Captain-Safety
The Safety Captain shall act as the lead safety officer for the company. He shall have the duty of overseeing personnel while on an alarm to ensure that all the laws, rules and regulations regarding the particular operations, activities and methods in use by the company are being adhered to. He shall report any violations to the commanding officer. He shall oversee and maintain testing and records of inspection for fire extinguishers, self-contained breathing apparatus, hall hazard surveillance, fire alarm testing and grounds safety. He or his designee shall be responsible for the development and use of an accountability system for members and assist the chief in matters concerning safety and training.
Section 9. – Captain-Fire Police
The Fire Police Captain shall have charge of those members designated by the chief as fire police. He shall work in cooperation with the fire chief to properly train and equip fire police members. He shall have charge of the fire police members while on an alarm and coordinate the members under his control to meet the needs of the incident commander. He shall help coordinate and facilitate specialized training for fire police members.
ARTICLE VI - Committees
Section 1. - Executive Committee
The executive committee shall consist of the president, vice president, secretary, treasurer, chief, and two members of the fire company. The business affairs of the organization shall be managed by the executive committee and shall also exercise control of the property of the organization. It shall designate the bank or banks in which the funds of the organization shall be deposited. It shall have the power to hear and act upon excuses for non-attendance at meetings, fires, drills, reviews, parades, and schools of instruction. The executive committee shall hold an annual meeting in the week preceding the annual meeting of the organization and shall meet at other such time as the president shall designate. The president shall call a meeting upon the request of two members of the committee. The executive committee shall have the power at its discretion to examine the books and accounts of any of the officers. It shall make a report of its proceedings at each regular meeting and at the annual meeting. The at large members of the executive committee shall be elected at the annual meeting. They shall serve two-year terms, with the terms alternating so one member is elected at each annual meeting. In the event of a vacancy, the position shall be filled in the same manner as officers.
Section 2. - Committee of the Month
The committee of the month shall consist of three members and shall rotate monthly at each meeting. The members on the committee will be responsible for the cleanliness and management of the hall during the time between meetings. They will be responsible for the cleaning of all rooms and facilities, reporting damage or repairs needed to the executive committee, and perform other such duties as required. The committee will also be responsible for providing food and refreshments at the meeting ending their term. The secretary shall maintain a rotating list of the membership for the committee, and shall post the names of the members at each meeting. A complete list of the responsibilities of the committee is available from the president.
Section 3. - Investigation Committee
The investigation committee shall consist of the president and two other members. It shall be the duty of this committee to inquire as to the moral and social standing of new applicants. They shall investigate any reports received on a new applicant and shall report their findings to the membership before any vote is taken regarding new members. This committee shall be appointed by the president at each annual meeting and will serve until the next annual meeting.
Section 4.- Planning Committee
A planning committee shall be appointed annually at the May meeting, to plan for banquets or functions as deemed necessary throughout the year. The committee will evaluate functions and make recommendations to the Executive Officers of any changes that would improve and streamline Fire Company activities.
Section 5.
Special committees may be appointed pursuant to resolution adopted at any meeting of the organization.
ARTICLE VII - Meetings
Section 1.
Regular meetings shall be held on the first Monday of each month.
Section 2.
The annual meeting shall be held on the first Monday in April.
Section 3.
All meetings shall be at the fire hall at 7:00 pm.
Section 4.
When a regular or annual meeting falls on a holiday, said meeting shall be held on the same day of the following week.
Section 5.
One-third of the current number of active members shall constitute a quorum for the annual meeting and for all regular and special meetings.
Section 6.
Special meetings shall be held subject to the call of the president. The notice thereof shall specify for what purpose the meeting is called and no other business shall be transacted thereat.
Section 7.
Robert’s rules of order shall be used for the government of meetings when not in conflict with this constitution and bylaws.
Section 8.
Proxy voting, or absentee voting, shall not be permitted.
ARTICLE VIII - Dues
Section 1.
The annual dues for active members shall be one dollar, payable on or before the date of the annual meeting.
Section 2.
Any member who is in debt to the organization for one year after dues is due shall be notified by the secretary of his indebtedness by registered mail, return receipt requested, and given one month in which to pay the same. If he fails to do so, he shall be automatically dropped form the roll.
Section 3.
At each meeting, the secretary shall call the names of the members who are delinquent in payment of dues and amounts owing.
ARTICLE IX - Duty requirements
Section 1.
Active members shall be required to attend at least twenty-five percent of all fire calls, fifty percent of all meetings, and twenty-five percent of all drills unless excused by a member of the executive committee, except that the line officer in command may excuse an active member who has been present at an alarm from returning to the fire hall for roll call. Members who miss a call, meeting or drill because of work or vacation should notify the chief of such in person. Persons whose work schedule interferes with attendance at regular meetings will notify the secretary of this in writing. Compliance with duty requirements shall be determined at each annual meeting of the executive committee for the preceding year. Upon failure in compliance, the member shall be dropped from the rolls. The chief shall maintain a perpetual list of membership, designating each member to one of the following positions: Firefighter, Probationary Firefighter, EMS, Fire Police or Safety. The chief shall ensure that members are aware of their assignment
Section 2.
All new and probationary firefighters will be required to complete training activities that meet or exceed the requirements of the New York State Department of Labor for new firefighter. This training will consist of 15 hours training in the following subject areas, specific details, dates, and times for training are at the discretion of the chief:
General Hazard Recognition 1 hour
Fire Station Safety 2 hours
Response Safety 2 hours
Fire Scene Safety 2 hours
Protective Clothing 3 hours
Self Contained Breathing Apparatus 3 hours
Tool and Equipment Safety 2 hours
Any new member who completes Essentials of Firefighting within their first year shall have satisfied this initial training requirement.
Section 3.
All active members of the fire company will be required to complete training activities that meet or exceed the requirements of the New York State Department of Labor for firefighters' refresher training. The training will consist of 8 hours training in the following subject areas. Specific details, dates and times of training are at the discretion of the chief:
General Hazard Recognition 30 min.
Fire Station Safety 30 min.
Response Safety 45 min.
Fire Scene Safety 75 min.
Protective Clothing 60 min.
Self Contained Breathing Apparatus 120 min.
Tool and Equipment Safety 60 min.
Recent Developments in Fire Safety 60 min.
Section 4.
The training sessions outlined above will be made available throughout the year. It is the responsibility of the firefighter to attend the sessions to insure that the regulations are met. The Executive Committee shall have jurisdiction over matters of non-compliance.
Section 5.
Active members must be faithful in the performance of their duties and must obey the orders of the officers and comply with all duly adopted rules and regulations respecting their conduct.
Section 6,
It shall be the policy of the Otto Fire Company that no member respond to an emergency call, or drive any Fire Company equipment if they have been drinking alcohol, or are under the influence of drugs. It is the duty and responsibility of every member and officer to enforce this policy. Violations should be reported the officer in charge.
ARTICLE X - Expulsion
Section 1.
Any member may be expelled from the company for failure to comply with the constitution and bylaws of the company by a two-thirds vote of the active members present at a meeting, provided the accused shall have been served with written charges at least ten days prior to the meeting, together with a notice that the charges will be considered at the meeting and that the member will have the right to be heard at that time. The organization shall have full power to determine what shall constitute sufficient cause for expulsion.
ARTICLE XI - Reinstatement
Section 1.
Any member dropped from the roll for non-payment of dues may be reinstated at any regular meeting by a majority vote of the members present, provided the amount of his indebtedness to the organization at the time he was dropped shall have been paid and upon payment of a reinstatement fee of five (5) dollars.
Section 2.
Any member expelled from the organization after a hearing on charges shall not be eligible for reinstatement.
ARTICLE XII - Delegates to conventions
Section 1.
At the annual meeting a delegate and an alternate to the next ensuing convention of the Southwestern Association of Volunteer Firemen and the Cattaraugus County Volunteer Fireman's Association shall be elected. Such delegate or in his absence the alternate shall be entitled to receive from the organization his necessary expenses in attending the convention.
ARTICLE XIII - Resignations
Section 1.
Resignations shall be presented in writing or in person, but shall not be accepted if member is under charges or is indebted to the organization or has not turned over all property belonging to it in the possession of the member.
ARTICLE XIV - Amendments
Section 1.
This constitution and bylaws may be amended at any regular meeting, or at the annual meeting, by two-thirds vote of the members present, provided the proposed amendment shall have been submitted in writing at a previous regular meeting and notice then given when the same would be called up for action.
ARTICLE XV - Order of business at regular meetings
1. Roll Call
2. Reading of the minutes of the last regular meeting and of any intervening special meetings
3. Reading of the list of delinquent members
4. Reports of officers
5. Reports of Committees
6. Bills and Communications
7. Membership proposals
8. Election of new members
9. Unfinished business
10. New business
11. Roll call
12. Reading of the minutes
13. Adjournment
New by-laws adopted by the membership on May 2, 1994
Modified by the membership on July 3, 2000
Modified by the membership on May 6, 2002
Revised December 1, 2008
Revised March 1, 2010