The office of special fire police is hereby
created within the Borough of Punxsutawney, to be staffed by appointment
by the Borough Council biannually for a two-year term of office beginning
the first day of January of each even-numbered year.
On or before the 15th day of October of each
odd-numbered year, the officers representing the Punxsutawney Volunteer
Fire Company shall present to the Mayor of the Borough of Punxsutawney
a list of nominees to be considered for appointment as special fire
police for the next succeeding year. Within 20 days from the date
of the receipt of such list of nominees, the Mayor shall review the
list of nominees and transmit to the Borough Council said list, with
his own confirmation or denial of qualification noted thereon.
On or before the completion of the final session
of Borough Council for each odd-numbered year, the Borough Council
shall act upon the Mayor's confirmation or denial of qualification
of proposed nominees for special fire police for the succeeding fiscal
year. Failure of the Council to act upon the Mayor's recommendation
shall be considered the equivalent of approval.
Special fire police shall be sworn into office
by the Mayor at the reorganizational meeting of the Borough Council.
Special fire police, upon confirmation by the
Council and acceptance of the oath of office, shall be provided with
a badge of office and instructed immediately in the duties and limitation
of duties of office, which are:
A. That special fire police, under the direction of the
Chief of Police, shall have full power and authority to regulate traffic
and keep crowds under control at or in the vicinity of any fire at
which their companies are in attendance.
B. That special fire police, under the direction of the
Chief of Police, shall have full power and authority to act as police
officers in order to facilitate and prevent interference with the
work of firemen in extinguishing fires.
C. That special fire police, under the direction of the
Chief of Police, shall have the same power and authority to act in
all other emergencies, parades, functions or events sponsored or officially
sanctioned by the Borough to which they have been specially mustered
for control purposes.
Special fire police shall have such further
duties, responsibilities, rights and obligations as may be further
set forth by the Act of July 11, 1980, Act No. 122, or its amendments
from time to time, and the resolutions and ordinances of the Borough from
time to time appertaining.