Laurel Volunteer Fire Department's  2005 Officers

The Operations Branch of the Laurel Volunteer Fire Department includes the Fire Chief, Deputy and Assistant Chiefs, Captains, Lieutenants and Sergeants. The Fire Chief is head of fire fighting and emergency services operations; but also works closely with the Executive Branch and the Administrative Branch of the department. The Fire Chief has authority to delegate command and control of the fire line officers and appointees listed below; but responsibility can not be delegated. The Laurel VFD Fire Chief has command of all officers and active members of the department for participation in traininig, drill exercises, house duty cleaning crews, sleep-in duty crews, apparatus/equipment maintenance and special details such as parades and fire prevention programs. 

All operational officers are elected in January of each year by the full membership of the department. The Fire Chief may
appoint a Truck Sergeant and two Engine Sergeants who serve at the pleasure of the Fire Chief. The Fire Chief may also appoint a Chief Engineer and Engineers or others to specific roles which will sustain or improve operational readiness. The Tower Captain, under the direction of the Fire Chief, supervises fire fighting crews in hose, ladder, entry, rescue and salvage operations. The Tower Lieutenant and Tower Sergeant shall support and assist the Tower Captain; assuming those duties in rank order when directed by the Fire Chief. 

The Engine Captain, under the direction of the Fire Chief, supervises fire engine pumpers and aerial apparatus operations during emergency service, training exercises, operational readiness proofing and maintenance programs. The Engine Lieutenants and Engine Sergeants shall support and assist the Engine Captain; assuming those duties in rank when directed by the Fire Chief. 

Engineers perform the in-house repair and maintenance of fire apparatus and advise the Engine Captain on the level of
readiness of each piece of apparatus. 

Officers are Regular or Life members with a minimum of three years service in the Laurel Volunteer Fire Department. The Fire Chief must be a Regular or Life Member with a minimum of five years service in the department. Both the line officers and the chiefs must also meet the Prince Georges Co. minimum standards.  No elected officer may hold two elective offices; but an elected officer may hold an appointive office. All officers serve one year or until a successor is formally elected. 

The Executive Branch of the Laurel Volunteer Fire Department includes the President of the Corporation and the six (6) Trustees, called The Board of Trustees or The Board and which is responsible to the department for the execution of authorized policies. 

The President is the permanent Chairman of the Board, the Vice Chairman is elected annually by majority vote of fellow members of the Board. Two members of the Board are elected in January each year for a three year term. Trustees must be Regular or Life Members with a minimum of five years of service with the Laurel Volunteer Fire Department. They may only hold one elective office. 

The Board provides directives and guidance regarding conduct of members, use of equipment, property and facilities in the best interest of safety, efficiency and general good of the department; but the receipt of bids and selection of same shall be vested solely with the voting members of the department. The Board of Trustees at all times shall have oversight involvement with the Operational Branch and Administrative Branch to protect and serve the department and each individual member; and the Board shall report all their actions to the general membership. 

The Board authorizes all normal expenditures contained in the approved budget approved by the membership, but shall not exceed rate of income or item limitations approved by the membership, shall have department books, records and accounts audited annually, hold monthly meeting and report the condition of the department to the general membership.
 
 

The Administrative Branch of the department includes the Corporation President, Senior Vice President, Junior Vice President, Secretary, Recording Secretary, Treasurer and Chaplain; and is responsible for the administrative management of legislative actions taken by the department membership and the Executive Branch. 

The President is head of the Administrative Branch, having command authority of the conduct of company business and supporting programs; but also working closely with the Executive Branch and the Operational Branch for the good of the Department. The President may delegate duties as necessary for the conduct of business; but responsibility may not be delegated. The President presides at all meetings of the corporation, to control the orderly and disciplined conduct of meetings, require a majority participation of voting members on all issues or declare the issue lost, to reject personal or offensive speech, and to cast deciding vote in case of tie on questions requiring majority vote. The President ensures that voting members are
kept informed of important activities of all three branches of management and that issues affecting the corporate body are reserved responsibilities of the voting members. The President shall appoint a Chaplain and may appoint or assign members and committees for promotion, public relations, Sergeant of Arms, financial programs, historical records, etc. for the good of the department; with advice and counsel for the Fire Chief and Trustees. The two Vice Presidents are to actively support the President in duties of the varied programs of the Administrative Branch. 

The Secretary and Recording Secretary work closely with the President and together share the varied secretarial duties. The Secretary is to keep an accurate, signed record of proceedings of all meetings, serve and support the Executive Branch, prepare correspondence as directed, maintain an up-to-date file of all incoming and outgoing official correspondence, receive all monies, record the same by account, then turn over to the Treasurer. The Treasurer receives all monies and makes timely deposits in a company approved bank, in an account bearing the name of the corporation, shall issue only checks for payment approved by the membership or the Board while maintaining a detailed record of such actions. The Treasurer holds in trust the
important legal papers, deeds, notes, insurance policies, bonds, etc in a safe deposit box in the corporation name. 

The Administrative Branch is elected in January of each year and must be a Regular or Life member, and have at least three years of service in the Laurel Volunteer Fire Department. The President shall have at least five years of service in the department and may not hold any other elective office. The Chaplain is appointed by the President annually. 

The Administrative officers of the Laurel Volunteer Fire Department are elected by the membership of the department at the company's annual meeting, the first Monday after the first Tuesday of every January. Members of the Board of Trustees are elected for a three-year term of office.