A. The board of directors shall have the power and duty to:

1. Manage and conduct the business affairs of such district;

2. Make and execute all necessary contracts;

3. Purchase or lease-purchase and maintain all necessary and convenient engines, hoses, hose carts or other appliances and supplies for the full equipment of a fire company or department;

4. Appoint fire company officers and employees, sufficient to maintain and operate the equipment owned by such district;

5. Take by grant, purchase, condemnation, gift, devise or lease, and to dispose of, real or personal property of every kind necessary for the operation of the district;

6. Construct or otherwise acquire suitable firehouses and other buildings or structures suitable for the housing of equipment and supplies of the district, or for carrying on its own business and affairs;

7. Employ such officers and employees as may be required, fix their compensation and prescribe their duties;

8. Establish rules and regulations for the district and for the prevention of fires and conflagrations within the district and for the protection of property at and during any fire;

9. Prepare an annual budget and follow existing laws pertaining to the budget process such as public notices, public hearings, protest periods and filing requirements in the same manner as they apply to other forms of government in Oklahoma;

10. Determine vacancies of the board of directors, fill vacancies and conduct board elections in the event of a vacancy on the board of directors;

11. Develop bylaws for the due and orderly administration of the affairs of the board of directors and for its responsibilities specified pursuant to this chapter, and may compel the attendance of absent members in the manner and under penalties as the board may prescribe; and

12. Do any and all other things necessary and proper in the management and operation of the district for the purpose of protecting property within its boundaries from fire.

B. A fire protection district, created pursuant to this chapter, shall be deemed a political subdivision of this state. The board may submit an application to include the fire fighters of the district in the Oklahoma Firefighters Pension and Retirement System. The application for affiliation shall be submitted in accordance with subsection A of Section 49-105.2 of Title 11 of the Oklahoma Statutes.

Added by Laws 1949, p. 155, § 7. Amended by Laws 1982, c. 89, § 1; Laws 1982, c. 320, § 7, operative July 1, 1982; Laws 1983, c. 95, § 2, emerg. eff. May 9, 1983; Laws 1987, c. 202, § 21, eff. June 1, 1987; Laws 1992, c. 397, § 5, eff. July 1, 1992; Laws 1997, c. 221, § 2, eff. Nov. 1, 1997.