Ordinance Review Committee

Summary

This document details revisions to Chapter 42 of the Deltona Code of Ordinances, focusing on Fire Prevention and Protection. Key areas covered include:

• Fire Department Administration: Outlines the appointment and responsibilities of the Fire Chief, including hiring, budget preparation, and supervision of department employees. It also details the role of an Assistant Chief and senior staff in the absence of the Chief.
• Financial Matters: Assigns financial processing and record safekeeping to the City Finance Director or City Manager. It specifies budget preparation, expenditure tracking (including individual items over $1,000), revenue descriptions, and fund balance reporting (restricted, designated, undesignated).
• Property Management: States that all property of the former Deltona Fire District is now city property, requiring an inventory and clear marking of nonexpendable property.
• Purchasing and Contracts: Establishes procedures for purchases over $10,000 requiring public notice and sealed bids, with the City Commission having the right to select the best bid. It also details requirements for price quotations, purchase orders, and approvals for various expenditure thresholds, including travel and maintenance agreements.
• Fire Inspection Fees: Authorizes the Fire Department to charge fees for inspections of structures, plans, and systems to recover costs, as established by a city commission resolution.
• Fire Codes: Adopts the most recent Florida Fire Prevention Code (NFPA 1 and NFPA 101) as the minimum fire safety code for the city, with provisions for appeals and enforcement. Violations are classified as misdemeanors with fines and potential imprisonment.
• Open Burning: Regulates open burning, requiring permits for land clearing, specifying hours of operation, and mandating specific equipment (air-curtain incinerators), insurance ($1,000,000 liability), and adherence to state regulations. Prohibited materials include tires, asphalt, and garbage. The article also details permit denial/revocation reasons and suspension periods for violations.
• Fireworks: Governs the sale, discharge, and possession of fireworks and sparklers, referencing NFPA 1123 for display standards. It outlines permit application requirements, including insurance ($1,000,000 liability and property damage), fees ($100), and a $10,000 bond. Specific regulations are provided for temporary stands and permanent structures, including storage, sales, and safety measures. Penalties include fines and permit suspension. Discharge restrictions are set at 100 feet from temporary stands/storage and 20 feet from residences.
• Fire Protection System Requirements: Details requirements for water supply (fire wells, central systems), fire hydrant spacing (500 ft for residential, 300 ft for commercial), and minimum main sizes. It also specifies hydrant color-coding based on flow rates (Green for >1000 GPM, Orange for 500-1000 GPM, Red for <500 GPM) and fire well specifications.

Citizen Impact

These revisions standardize fire prevention and protection regulations, impacting residents through clearer rules for open burning and fireworks sales/use, requiring permits and safety measures. They also establish protocols for fire department operations, purchasing, and inspection fees, ensuring consistent service delivery and safety standards.

Confidence

high