[HISTORY: Adopted by the Borough Council
of the Borough of East Petersburg as indicated in article histories.
Amendments noted where applicable.]
[Adopted 8-1-2000 by Ord. No. 215[1]]
[1]
Editor's Note: Ordinance No. 321, adopted 12-6-2022, revised
the section numbering of this article.
East Petersburg Fire Company No. 1, organized
and existing under the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and
headquartered in East Petersburg Borough, is hereby designated as
the officially recognized fire company for the Borough. The members
of East Petersburg Fire Company No. 1 have continuously served the
Borough since their inception.
A.
The East Petersburg Fire Company No. 1 is hereby authorized
to provide such services to the Borough as may be necessary for the
protection of property and persons situated therein which includes,
by way of example and not of limitation, the extinguishment of fires
and the prevention of loss of life and property from fire, automobile
accidents, medical emergencies, hazardous material incidents and other
dangerous situations.
B.
The Fire Company may also provide nonemergency and
public service functions which are consistent with written policies
adopted from time to time by the Borough, such as, again by way of
example and not of limitation, removing water from property after
storms, assisting in the removal, abatement and prevention of damage
or injury to persons or property whether through natural causes or
man-made situations.
C.
The Fire Company may also conduct and participate
in such training activities and drills, either within or outside of
the Borough as may be deemed necessary by the Fire Chief, the chief
officers of the fire line or the governing body of the respective
fire company to maintain proficiency in providing services.
D.
The Fire Company may respond to fire calls and provide
emergency services to municipalities outside of the Borough. The Fire
Company may also provide nonemergency and public service functions
to municipalities outside the Borough, provided that they are authorized
to do so by East Petersburg Borough and by such other municipalities
or by the local fire companies authorized to serve such municipalities.
In addition to actually participating in the
activities of the Fire Company as authorized above, or going to or
returning from any activity, the members of the Fire Company are also
authorized to engage in the following activities, provided that they
are lawful and consistent with written policies adopted from time
to time by the Borough:
A.
Engage in any type of drill, training, ceremony, practice,
test or parade when duly called for or authorized by the Fire Chief,
the chief officers of the fire line or the governing body of the Fire
Company; and
B.
Engage in fund-raising activities for the Fire Company
when authorized by the governing body of the Fire Company to do so;
and
C.
Engage in the performance of any other lawful duty
or activity customarily performed by fire companies and authorized
by the Fire Chief or governing body of the Fire Company.
The purpose and intent of this article is to
recognize East Petersburg Fire Company No. 1 as the official fire
company of the Borough for the purpose and with the intent specified
in Section 150(e) of the Code[1] and regulations promulgated thereunder and to specify
additional authorized activities for firefighters for workers' compensation
purposes. Nothing in this article shall be construed to prevent fire
companies located in neighboring municipalities from responding to
emergency calls in this Borough.
[1]
Editor's Note: Refers to Section 150(e) of
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
[Adopted 12-6-2022 by Ord. No. 321]
A.
The Chief Fire Official shall be the chief officer of the Fire Department
for East Petersburg Borough and the Hempfield Area Fire Services Commission.
B.
The Chief Fire Official shall determine and identify the response
territory within East Hempfield Township for each fire department.
C.
The Chief Fire Official shall monitor and respond to alarms and fires
to meet the needs of the fire companies. The Chief Fire Official has
authority to assume command of any incident, if deemed appropriate
or if conditions warrant. In the absence of the Chief Fire Official,
a fire company officer within the district in which the incident has
occurred will assume command.
D.
The Chief Fire Official shall have the power and responsibility to
enforce all laws, ordinances and regulations with respect to the investigation
of cause, origin and circumstances of fires. The Chief Fire Official
or a designee may investigate or assist in the investigation of all
fires in East Petersburg Borough.
E.
The individual fire company officers shall retain their respective
authority and duties within their departments. The Fire Chiefs and
subordinate officers shall continue to be responsible for the maintenance,
efficiency and conduct of their respective companies. The Chief Fire
Official shall have authority and oversight over the East Petersburg
Borough fire company and any other departments that may fall under
the Hempfield Area Fire Services Commission.
F.
The Chief Fire Official shall provide monthly and annual reports
to the East Petersburg Fire Company No. 1 and the Hempfield Area Fire
Services Commission regarding activities of the fire services and
any information or statistics deemed necessary or appropriate to offer
an appraisal of the fire services and any recommendations for change.
G.
The Chief Fire Official shall have the authority to declare a property
in East Petersburg Borough temporarily uninhabitable for safety reasons.
The property shall be vacated and secured for safety reasons until
the Building Code Official can assess the situation and make a final
determination.
