[Ord. 2199, 11/13/2006, § 2; as amended by Ord.
2288, 4/12/2010]
1.
The Ross Township Board of Commissioners does hereby establish the
offices of Fire Marshal and Deputy Fire Marshal.
2.
Appointment of Fire Marshal and Deputy Fire Marshals.
A.
The Fire Marshal shall be appointed by the Ross Township Board of
Commissioners. A list of candidates will be recommended by the Ross
Township Fire Chiefs Association.
[Amended Ord. No. 2457, 11/16/2020]
B.
One or more Deputy Fire Marshals may be selected for appointment
by the Fire Marshal subject to the approval by the Ross Township Fire
Chiefs Association and appointment by the Ross Township Board of Commissioners.
3.
Requirements for office:
A.
Ten years current active service as a member of a fire department,
whether in the Township of Ross Township or otherwise.
B.
A minimum of 100 hours of "certified" arson training.
D.
Qualified to:
(1)
Determine the cause and/or origin of a fire.
(2)
Enforce and interpret the provisions of the International Fire
Code.
[Amended Ord. No. 2457, 11/16/2020]
(3)
Interpret the provisions of the International Fire Code unless
the Township shall designate another employee or official to perform
these duties.
(5)
Inspect property situate in the Township of Ross Township for
fire hazards.
4.
Duties.
A.
Attend every structural fire.
B.
Attend any other fire scene at the request of the controlling Fire
Department officer in charge.
C.
Aid in protecting any property from damage and pillage, and shall
have the right to call upon any Ross Township police officer for assistance
in fulfilling this obligation.
E.
Keep a record, open to the public, of all fires in Ross Township.
F.
Make quarterly reports of her/his activities to the Ross Township
Board of Commissioners.
G.
Advise the Ross Township Board of Commissioners of any relevant matters
that she/he deems appropriate.
H.
Make recommendations to the Ross Township Board of Commissioners
for the adoption of any ordinance and/or regulation deemed necessary.
I.
Coordinate
and liaison with property owners, local Postmasters and local EMS
dispatch for addresses/numbering of structures.
[Added by Ord. No. 2457, 11/16/2020]
J.
Administer
fire prevention programs within the Township as directed by Community
Development management.
[Added by Ord. No. 2457, 11/16/2020]
K.
Administering
and coordinating with Community Development and the Finance Department
for properties subject to the Fire Escrow Act.
[Added by Ord. No. 2457, 11/16/2020]
5.
Authority Restrictions. The Fire Marshal and/or Deputy Fire Marshal
shall not have the power or authority to direct, take charge, dispatch
equipment and power, or issue orders at the scene of any fire or on
the fire or on the fire ground unless necessitated for the preservation
of evidence of a criminal act. The duties of directing, taking charge,
dispatching of equipment and manpower shall be performed by the fire
chiefs of the various fire companies of the Township of Ross Township
or the next officer in the chain of command in her/his respective
district.
6.
Suspicious Fires. When the Fire Marshal or a Deputy Fire Marshal
believes, during the course of investigation, that the origin of the
fire is suspicious in nature, she/he shall immediately notify the
Ross Township Police Department officer in charge (OIC) and request
her/his response to the scene. The Fire Marshal or Deputy Fire Marshal
shall confer with the OIC and if, in the course of the investigation,
the Fire Marshal or Deputy Fire Marshal and the OIC believe it to
be necessary, they shall request the assistance of the Allegheny County
Fire Marshal. The role of the Ross Township Police Department OIC
shall be to secure any and all evidence that may be necessary for
criminal charges to be filed, and the OIC has the sole authority to
restrict access to the scene at her/his discretion for the purpose
of securing such evidence.
