Ordinance 1996B: Requiring Property Owners to Provide Adequate Access for Service by the Fire District

WHEREAS, the Trustees of the CORNBELT FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, ILLINOIS, have provided for equipment necessary to perform Fire Protection Service and other related Emergency Services for property owners within the Fire District; and

WHEREAS, the size and weight of the equipment requires appropriate means of access to the property in order for the Fire District to carry out its responsibilities; and,

WHEREAS, each property owner in the Fire District must assume the responsibility for providing adequate access to Fire District vehicles and equipment in order for the Fire District to carry out its responsibilities; and

WHEREAS, a public hearing was held on the requirements of this Ordinance, the responsibilities of the property owners, and the inability of the Fire District to carry out its responsibilities unless the property owners comply with the provisions of this Ordinancel

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the Board of Trustees of the CORNBELT FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, ILLINOIS, as follows:

SECTION I: RESOLVED that each property owner within the service area of the CORNBELT FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, ILLINOIS, shall be responsible for providing adequate access for the Fire District vehicles and equipment. Adequate access shall mean providing an all-weather surface Driveway leading to the improvements on the property, said Driveway to be at least 20 feet wide and have a clearance of not less than 13 ft. 6 inches. The term “all-weather surface Driveway” shall include, but not be limited to, concrete, blacktop, oil and chip or gravel with adequate base.

SECTION II: If an individual property does not have adequate access, as that term is defined above, for Fire District vehicles and equipment, then the Fire District will be relieved of any responsibility to provide Fire Protection Service or any other Emergency service, to that property.

SECTION III: The Administrative Assistant of the Board of Trustees is hereby directed to publish this Ordinance as provided by law.

Revised and Approved March 2, 2005. 

ORDINANCE 2007C: REQUIRING THE INSTALLATION OF KNOX BOXES ON ALL COMMERCIAL PROPERTIES WITHIN THE CORNBELT FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT.

WHEREAS, the uniform fire code requires certain properties to be equipped with automatic alarm systems and/or sprinkler systems; and

WHEREAS, the aforesaid automatic systems may cause the fire companies of the Cornbelt Fire Protection District to be summoned at times when a structure or building is not occupied or when the occupant is not able to provide ingress for the Fire Department; and

WHEREAS, as it is desirable to prevent damage through the forceful entry to structures or buildings and to provide swift entry to structires or buildings by the Fire Department; and

WHEREAS, a municipality may by ordinance make its fire code more restrictive than the uniform code.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED, by the Board of Trustees of the CORNBELT FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, ILLINOIS, as follows:

SECTION I: RESOLVED that all COMMERCIAL properties within the Cornbelt Fire Protection District shall be equipped with a Knox Box.

SECTION II: The Knox Box shall be a UL type and approved by the Chief of the CORNBELT FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT. The Knox Box shall be installed in a location approved by the Chief of the CORNBELT FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT.

SECTION III: The Knox Box shall contain the following:

1. Keys to locked points of ingress whether in the interior or exterior of the building or structure.
2. Keys to locked mechanical, equipment and electrical rooms.
3. Keys to elevators and controls.
4. Keys to other areas as directed by the Chief of the Cornbelt Fire Protection District.
5. Keys to Alarm Panel.
6. Drawing and instructions to silence and reset the alarm system.
7. A list of emergency contact NAMES and PHONE numbers of persons to call if an emergency exists.

SECTION IV: All existing commercial buildings and structures shall comply within twelve months of the effective date of this ordinance. All newly constructed commercial buildings, not yet occupied, or buildings that are currently under construction, shall comply immediately.

SECTION V: Any building owner not in compliance within 30 days of notice by CORNBELT FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT, shall be subject to a fine of $500. Effective date of this ordinance shall be May 11, 2007.

SECTION VI: Repealer All ordinances or part of ordinances inconsistent herewith are hereby repealed.

SECTION VII: Residential properties may have a Knox Box if needed.

SECTION VIII: Knox Boxes are provided by Mahomet Township at no cost to qualified residents with medical or special needs.