The fire department is hereby authorized to respond to and use fire apparatus and equipment, and personnel, outside of the fire department's own designated protection area, for the purpose of rendering assistance to communities and areas experiencing or threatened by emergency. The fire chief, or his or her designee, shall limit fire apparatus and personnel commitments to communities and areas outside of the fire department's own designated protection area as appropriate in order to ensure adequate resources are maintained locally for emergency response within the fire department's own designated protection area. (Ord. 2208, § 1 (Exh. A), 2023; Ord. 273, § 1, 1962.)