Administrative Resources
Membership
SCVFD Membership Overview
An applicant must be a citizen or legal resident of the United States, be at least eighteen (18) years of age, complete the membership application, pass a driving record background check conducted by the South Dakota Department of Public Safety, receive membership application approval by the voting membership, possess a valid driver’s license, be sworn in as a firefighter member of the SCVFD who have completed their probationary requirements per the Standard Operating Guidelines (SOG) and this includes firefighters transferring from other departments. Membership is open to anyone willing to complete the application process and abide by the Bylaws and SOGs of the Department. Members may reside outside of the Silver City Fire Protection District with approval / majority vote of the voting membership.
Mission Statement
Mission
Silver City VFD protects the lives and property of the Silver City Fire District as first responders to fires, medical emergencies, disasters, and other public safety issues. The Department promotes public safety through fire prevention education programs. Silver City VFD makes significant contributions to the safety of the Silver City Fire District and surrounding mutual aid communities through timely execution of these services.
Motto
Value Life, Prevent Harm, Respond quickly and Respect all
Objectives
Objectives & General Information
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To provide a safe and healthy work environment for all Department personnel, to train its members to the highest standards possible, to protect the lives and property of area residents and transients through the extinguishing of fires, delivery of emergency medical care, initiate effective mitigation of hazardous material and man-made or other natural disaster incidents.
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The Department’s jurisdiction shall be the area contained within the Silver City Fire Protection District boundaries. The SCVFD is a separate legal entity from the Silver City Fire Protection District.
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Be a Department in good standing and to cooperate in mutual aid and be affiliated with County, State, and Federal agencies who request assistance.
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The rights and privacy of Department personnel, and the personnel protected by this Department, shall be observed through treating all information in a confidential manner. No information will be released to outside agencies or personnel, until approved by the Fire Chief or Incident Commander; Inter/Intra-Department information exchange will be done on a need-to-know basis only.
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The SCVFD fully subscribes to the provisions of the Federal Americans With Disabilities Act and is an equal opportunity employer and adopts an anti-harassment policy. It is the policy of the SCVFD to comply with all applicable federal, state and local laws concerning the membership/employment of persons with disabilities.
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It is SCVFD policy not to discriminate against qualified individuals with disabilities in regard to membership application procedures, hiring, advancement, discharge, compensation, training, or other terms, conditions, and privileges of membership/employment.
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The SCVFD will reasonably accommodate qualified individuals with a disability so that they can perform the essential functions of a volunteer position provided it does not cause an undue hardship to the SCVFD. An individual who can be reasonably accommodated for a volunteer position, without undue hardship, will be given the same consideration for that position as any other volunteer applicant. Reasonable accommodations may be available to individuals with temporary impairments, including those related to pregnancy.
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The rules contained in Roberts Rules of Order shall govern the SCVFD in all cases to which they are applicable, and in which they are not inconsistent with the Bylaws or operating rules of the Fire Protection District.
Code of Conduct
Code of Ethics
Firefighter Code of Ethics (adopted from the U.S. Fire Administration): Code is as follows: I understand that I have the responsibility to conduct myself in a manner that reflects proper ethical behavior and integrity. In so doing, I will help foster a continuing positive public perception of the fire service. Therefore, I pledge the following…
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Always conduct myself, on and off duty, in a manner that reflects positively on myself, my Department and the fire service in general.
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Accept responsibility for my actions and for the consequences of my actions.
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Support the concept of fairness and the value of diverse thoughts and opinions.
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Avoid situations that would adversely affect the credibility or public perception of the fire service profession.
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Be truthful and honest at all times and report instances of cheating or other dishonest acts that compromise the integrity of the fire service.
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Conduct my personal affairs in a manner that does not improperly influence the performance of my duties, or bring discredit to my organization.
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Be respectful and conscious of each member’s safety and welfare.
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Recognize that I serve in a position of public trust that requires stewardship in the honest and efficient use of Department owned resources or other Department resources, including uniforms, facilities, vehicles and equipment and that these are protected from misuse and theft.
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Exercise professionalism, competence, respect and loyalty in the performance of my duties and use information, confidential or otherwise, gained by virtue of my position, only to benefit those I am entrusted to serve.
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Avoid financial investments, outside employment, outside business interests or activities that conflict with or are enhanced by my official position or have the potential to create the perception of impropriety.
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Never propose or accept personal rewards, special privileges, benefits, advancement, honors or gifts that may create a conflict of interest, or the appearance thereof.
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Never engage in activities involving alcohol or other substance use or abuse that can impair my mental state or the performance of my duties and compromise safety.
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Never discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, creed, age, marital status, national origin, ancestry, gender, sexual orientation, medical condition or disability.
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Never harass, intimidate or threaten fellow members of the service or the public and stop or report the actions of other firefighters who engage in such behaviors.
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Responsibly use social networking, electronic communications, or other media technology opportunities in a manner that does not discredit, dishonor or embarrass my organization, the fire service and the public. I also understand that failure to resolve or report inappropriate use of this media equates to condoning this behavior.
Meeting Schedules
SCVFD Board & Business Meeting Schedule
Board of Directors Meeting
Time: 6:30 PM
Location: Members Homes
Meeting Dates:
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Quarterly and as needed
Bi-Monthly Business-Training Meeting
Time: 7:00pm – 3rd Thursday of every month
Location: Station 1 (or unless otherwise specified)
Annual Business Meeting
Time: October date TBD
Location: Silver City Historical Schoolhouse
Donations
Financial Contributions & Support
Annual Fire Department Financial Contributions – The Department will accept annual financial contributions for properties under its protection and from the general public. The financial contribution is encouraged to be paid by January 1st annually. The recommended contribution amount shall be determined each year by the Board at the time the budget is presented. If an annual financial contribution is not made, the SCVFD reserves the right to charge the property owner for any costs incurred for firefighting actions taken to protect the property or structure. The Department intends to respond to any fire or other emergency situation that is known of within the Silver City Fire Protection District regardless of whether that person or property owner has made a financial contribution to the SCVFD. The Board may invoice the person(s) or property owner(s) for compensation of emergency services rendered for those who have not made the recommended annual financial contribution. The Board may waive the invoice as it sees appropriate for those active Department members who volunteer significant time or resources. Payment of the annual financial contribution does not define the contributors voting rights; only members who have completed the membership requirements set forth in Article III have voting rights.
Financial donations from the general public, residing within or outside of the Silver City Fire Protection District are welcomed and encouraged to help support the Department’s emergency response mission. Individuals or entities who voluntarily donate financially to the Department do not have a voting nor formal membership position unless they have completed the membership requirements set forth in Article III.
In the event of a mil-levy being established in the Silver City Fire Protection District, the Department cannot invoice for private property fire related incidents. However, the Board may continue to encourage annual financial contributions to address any budget shortfalls not covered by any potential future fire tax revenues received.
Historical Society
FireWise
Silver City Historical Society
In 2014, the SCVFD entered into a long-term management agreement with the Silver City Historical Society (SCHS) to manage its non-firefighting assets including the schoolhouse, cemetery, garden, church properties. The garbage service was turned over to a private resident who now manages that community function.
Silver City is a FireWise Community
About the Firewise Communities Program
Brush, grass and forest fires don’t have to be disasters. NFPA’s Firewise Communities Program encourages local solutions for safety by involving homeowners in taking individual responsibility for preparing their homes from the risk of wildfire. Firewise is a key component of Fire Adapted Communities – a collaborative approach that connects all those who play a role in wildfire education, planning and action with comprehensive resources to help reduce risk.
The program is co-sponsored by the USDA Forest Service, the US Department of the Interior, and the National Association of State Foresters.
To save lives and property from wildfire, NFPA's Firewise Communities program teaches people how to adapt to living with wildfire and encourages neighbors to work together and take action now to prevent losses. We all have a role to play in protecting ourselves and each other from the risk of wildfire.
About the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)
Founded in 1896, NFPA is a global, nonprofit organization devoted to eliminating death, injury, property and economic loss due to fire, electrical and related hazards. The association delivers information and knowledge through more than 300 consensus codes and standards, research, training, education, outreach and advocacy; and by partnering with others who share an interest in furthering the NFPA mission. For more information visit www.nfpa.org. All NFPA codes and standards can be viewed online for free at www.nfpa.org/freeaccess.