[HISTORY: Adopted by the Borough Council of the Borough of Steelton 12-19-1994 by Res. No. 94-R-33, approved 12-19-1994.[1] Amendments noted where applicable.]
[1]
Editor's Note: This resolution also superseded former Ch. A132, Fire Department Rules and Regulations, approved 11-18-1974, as amended.
A. 
All standard operating procedures (SOP) posted by the Chief of the Fire Department will be followed at all times. Each member will read and sign each SOP as posted. Failure or refusal to sign an SOP will result in disciplinary action.
B. 
No equipment of the Fire Department shall be taken out of the Borough of Steelton without prior permission being given through the chain of command; provided, however, that equipment will be utilized in response to normal dispatch procedures in emergency situations and in furtherance of mutual aid agreements.
C. 
All personnel who are members of the Steelton Volunteer Fire Department, the Steelton Volunteer Fire Department/Ambulance Division (EMS) and the Steelton Fire Police shall be governed by these rules and regulations.
D. 
Housekeeping rules for the Steelton Volunteer Fire Department pertaining to the Fire Department Building located at 185 North Front Street, Steelton, Pennsylvania, as promulgated and adopted by the Steelton Volunteer Fire Department and ratified by the Borough Council of the Borough of Steelton are to be adhered to by all persons utilizing the Fire Department Building. (See Res. No. 93-R-4.[1])
[1]
Editor's Note: Resolution No. 93-R-4 is on file in the office of the Borough Secretary.
E. 
All of the Steelton Volunteer Fire Department and the Steelton Volunteer Fire Department/Ambulance Division (EMS) housed within the Borough of Steelton are authorized to act within the Borough of Steelton to provide, through their volunteer members, those authorized activities of the Fire Department and the related ambulance association provided for by statute, ordinance and/or these rules and regulations. (See Res. No. 92-R-17.[2])
[2]
Editor's Note: Resolution No. 92-R-17 is on file in the office of the Borough Secretary.
A. 
Any violation of the rules contained herein will be handled in the following manner:
(1) 
First offense. Letter of warning from the Chief of the Fire Department; the Fire Chief will provide a copy of the letter to Borough Council.
(2) 
Second offense. Subsequent to a review of the circumstances surrounding the violation by the Fire Committee of the Borough Council and the Fire Chief, the Fire Chief may issue a fifteen- to thirty-day suspension; written notice of the suspension will be provided to the violator with a copy of the suspension letter being forwarded to Council.
(3) 
Third or subsequent offense. The Borough Council will conduct an investigation and determine whether a violation has occurred and the circumstances surrounding said violation; Council may at its discretion suspend the violator for a minimum period of one year; any person suspended under this provision must petition Council for reinstatement, which petition will be reviewed and enacted upon by Council in its discretion.
B. 
The progressive discipline procedure established in Subsection A(1) through (3) shall apply to those violations which do not constitute serious offenses, i.e., neglect or violation of any official duty; violation of any law, provided that such violation constitutes a misdemeanor or felony; inefficiency; neglect; intemperance; immorality; disobedience of orders or intoxication while on duty.
C. 
Alcohol and drug use. The use of alcohol and drugs while on duty is expressly prohibited. Such use is immediate grounds for dismissal. The Borough may test, at its option, for the presence of drugs and alcohol as a precondition to returning from a leave of absence, following an accident or injury on the job or when the Borough has a reasonable suspicion that an employee is using or impaired by drugs or alcohol. Drug or alcohol testing will be done with the knowledge of the employee, at a credible facility, ensuring confidentiality of test results and in conformity with applicable laws.
A. 
Only trained and certified persons will operate any radios utilized by the Department, ambulance corps or fire police; certification to operate radios will be made by the Chief of the Fire Department or, in the case of Fire Police, the Chief of Police.
B. 
No profanity will be used in any radio transmission for any reason.
C. 
All transmissions will be kept to a minimum and kept to the point of the matter involved.
A. 
Only equipment designated and authorized under the Dauphin County Box System will be taken to respond to incidents.
B. 
All box cards established with Dauphin County will be strictly followed.
A. 
Driver qualifications. In order to apply and be accepted as a driver of Borough fire equipment, such applicant:
(1) 
Must be 18 years of age or older.
(2) 
Must complete an application form, including the production of a copy of a Pennsylvania driver's license enabling him or her to operate the type of vehicle which they will be qualified to operate, and the production of a valid birth certificate.
(3) 
Must be an active member of the Steelton Volunteer Fire Department for at least six months prior to application.
(4) 
Must complete such training as is established by the Chief of the Fire Department; evidence of the items in Subsection A(1) through (3) above must be provided to the Chief before any training can begin.
B. 
New driver approval. After a qualified applicant for driver has completed, to the Fire Chief's satisfaction, the training regimen established by the Chief, the Chief will submit the driver's name to Borough Council for approval of the applicant as a new driver. Borough Council shall condition its offer of approval on the provision by the applicant of such medical information which may be required by the Borough and which is relevant to the applicant's ability to perform the duties of a vehicle driver for the Department. Upon appropriate submission of such information, the applicant shall be certified as a driver.
C. 
All drivers of Borough Fire Department or ambulance vehicles shall comply with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation Physical Guidelines (ICC Physical). The Pennsylvania State Vehicle Code[1] and all related traffic regulations will be followed at all times in the operation of Department vehicles and equipment.
[1]
Editor's Note: See Title 75.
D. 
Only approved and certified drivers will operate Department vehicles and equipment.
E. 
Drivers will stay with their vehicle or piece of equipment which they are operating at all incidents unless otherwise directed by the Chief or Assistant Chief at the scene.
F. 
All drivers will complete an EVOC course within one year of being certified and approved as a driver (all current drivers will complete an EVOC course within one year of being so directed by the Chief); failure to complete the EVOC course will result in removal of driver status.
A. 
All EMS persons riding in a Department ambulance must have a current CPR card, first aid card or card evidencing certification for medical skill greater than a first aid card in order to be active on the ambulance.
B. 
Any EMS person currently enrolled in a course to receive the certifications set forth in Subsection A above may ride in an ambulance as long as someone else in the ambulance has current cards as specified in Subsection A above.
C. 
Before training to become an ambulance driver can begin, an individual must have one current card specified in Subsection A above.
D. 
Ambulance officers will be appointed by the Chief of the Fire Department as necessary.
A. 
Special fire police must be members of the Steelton Volunteer Fire Department by which they are nominated to be special fire police. The nomination must be confirmed by the President of Borough Council. Fire police are sworn in by the President of Borough Council.
B. 
All special fire police are under the jurisdiction of the Chief of Police while at any type of incident which they are authorized to attend.
C. 
Special fire police, as an organization, may appoint their own officers.
All requests for utilization of Borough equipment and attendance of Fire Department or Steelton Volunteer Fire Department personnel at conventions, training sessions, pumping contests and similar events will be submitted to Borough Council for prior approval.
Mutual aid assistance will be given to those municipalities with whom the Borough of Steelton has a municipal aid agreement relating to the provision of such fire or emergency assistance. In no event will mutual aid be supplied which has the result of leaving the Borough without sufficient protection against fires or other emergencies. In accordance with mutual aid agreements, the Chief of the Fire Department or his designee shall determine whether or not mutual aid assistance will be given upon request.