[Ord. 84, 11/7/1994, § 1]
The Ridge Fire Company, hereinafter the "volunteer fire department,"
is hereby recognized and designated as the official volunteer fire
department of the Township of East Coventry, Chester County, Pennsylvania.
[Ord. 84, 11/7/1994, § 1]
1. Members of the volunteer fire department, including any paid fireman
who is a member of the volunteer fire department and performs the
services of a volunteer fireman during off-duty hours, shall be entitled
to receive workers' compensation in case of injuries received:
A. While actively engaged as a fireman.
B. While going to or returning from a fire which the volunteer fire
department attended, including travel from and the direct return to
a fireman's home, place of business or other place where he shall
have been when he received the call or alarm.
C. While participating in instruction fire drills in which the volunteer
fire department shall have participated.
D. While repairing or doing other work about or on the fire apparatus
or buildings and grounds of the volunteer fire department upon the
authorization of the chief of the volunteer fire department or other
person in charge.
E. While answering any emergency calls for any purpose.
F. While riding upon the fire apparatus which is owned or used by the
volunteer fire department.
G. While performing any other duties of such volunteer fire department
as authorized by the Township.
H. While performing duties imposed by § 15 of the Act of April
27, 1927, P.L. 465, No. 299, as amended, 35 P.S. § 1235,
known as the "Fire and Panic Act," together with all amendments and
supplements thereto and any new statutes substituted therefor as may
be in force at the time of application under this Part.
[Ord. 84, 11/7/1994, § 1]
1. The volunteer fire department and its membership are authorized by
the Board of Supervisors to perform or engage in the following in
addition to their normal firefighting, rescue and emergency medical
duties and activities:
A. Participation in drills, practices, training sessions and pre-fire
planning activities authorized by the chief of the volunteer fire
department and supervised by a qualified instructor, or a volunteer
fire department officer.
B. Participation in community celebrations, ceremonial observances and
funerals for deceased firefighters or other public figures where such
attendance is deemed appropriate by the chief of the volunteer fire
department.
C. Preparation of the fire station or other Township or school district
buildings for use as a distribution center or polling place for the
primary and general elections.
D. Preparation for and responsible participation in parades, providing
that attendance has the prior approval of the volunteer fire department,
although participation in such activities in other municipalities
must have prior approval of the Board of Supervisors of the Township.
E. Participation in any public service functions performed for the welfare
of the community, including the recovery of animals, as long as these
activities are responsibly supervised and are sanctioned by the volunteer
fire department.
F. Participation in public safety activities undertaken by the volunteer
fire department members for purpose of rendering care to the injured,
preventing loss of life, providing comfort and security to victims
and limiting or preventing damage to or loss of property, as circumstances
may dictate.
G. The rendering of assistance to police officers where such aid is
specifically requested or is done without request to protect the public
welfare from imminent danger.
H. Participation in fire prevention activities, post-fire investigations,
bomb searches, evacuation drills and fire lane enforcement.
I. Participation in public programs to promote health and safety, to
enlist new members, or solicit community support or conduct fund raising
activities so long as (i) no compensation is paid to any member of
the fire department while engaged in the fund raising activity, (ii)
100% of the proceeds go to the volunteer fire department, and (iii)
each such activity is sanctioned by the volunteer fire department.
J. Participation in maintenance and remodeling work on volunteer fire
department vehicles, buildings, grounds or equipment.
K. Participation in programs designed to promote the efficient operation
of the volunteer services as may, from time to time, be assigned by
the Board of Supervisors of the Township and the officers of the volunteer
fire department, and as may be defined within the constitution and
by-laws of the volunteer fire department, copies of which, with all
amendments, shall be filed with the Township Secretary.
[Ord. 84, 11/7/1994, § 1]
1. Members of the volunteer fire department, who have been nominated
and confirmed as special fire police under and in accordance with
the provisions of the Act of June 18, 1941, P.L. 137, as amended,
35 P.S. § 1201 et seq., shall have the following powers
and duties as may be provided by said Act, in addition to such other
or further powers and duties as may be provided said Act or other
law, as said Act and other law, and the powers and duties provided
thereby, may be amended, supplemented or replaced at the time of application
under this Part:
A. Regulate and otherwise control traffic and keep crowds under control
at or in the vicinity of any fire at which the volunteer fire department
is in attendance, and exercise such other police powers as are necessary
in order to facilitate and prevent interference with the work of firemen
extinguishing the fire.
B. Regulate and otherwise control traffic and keep crowds under control
at or in the vicinity of any function, event or parade conducted by,
or under the auspices of, the volunteer fire department, any other
volunteer fire company or an organization other than a volunteer fire
company; provided, that:
(1)
The request to exercise and perform such powers and duties is
(i) made by the governing body of the municipality in which the function,
event or parade is conducted in the Township, and (ii) approved by
the Board of Supervisors of the Township and the captain of the special
fire police prior to the exercise or performance of the powers and
duties.
(2)
No compensation is paid to any member of the special fire police
while engaged in the exercise or performance of such powers and duties.
(3)
All proceeds from the exercise and performance of such powers
and duties go entirely to the special fire police general fund and/or
the volunteer fire department.
C. Regulate and otherwise control traffic and keep crowds under control
when and to the extent required by accidents, floods and other emergencies;
subject, however, to prior approval of the captain of the special
fire police. Such powers and duties may be exercised and performed
(i) without prior request of the governing body of the municipality
in which the powers or duties are exercised or performed, and (ii)
until the arrival of proper State or municipal police authority until
the emergency no longer exists.
2. All powers and duties of special fire police provided or referred
to in this section shall be exercised or performed in accordance with
said Act of June 18, 1941, P.L. 137, as amended, or other applicable
law. Under no circumstances shall this section be construed to grant
special fire police the right and/or power to use firearms or other
weapons in the exercise or performance of any special fire police
powers or duties.
3. Members of the volunteer fire department, who have been nominated
and confirmed as special fire police under and in accordance with
the provisions of said Act of June 18, 1941, P.L. 137, as amended,
shall be entitled to workers' compensation in case of injuries
received while actively exercising or performing any powers or duties
provided or referred to in this section.