[Adopted 3-16-1988 by Ord. No. 1-88]
The firemen's relief associations of Cecil Township are recognized
as organizations formed for the purpose of maintaining associations
for beneficial and protective purposes for their members and their
families in case of death, sickness, temporary or permanent disability
or accident from the funds collected therein. These associations are
as follows:
A. Cecil Township Volunteer Fire Company No. 1 Relief Association.
B. Cecil Township Volunteer Fire Company No. 2 Relief Association.
C. Cecil Township Volunteer Fire Company No. 3 of Millers Run, Inc.
Relief Association.
The Firemen's Relief Associations of Cecil Township is designated
the proper associations to receive such funds as are due and payable
to the Township Treasurer by the Treasurer of the State of Pennsylvania
from the tax on premiums from foreign fire insurance companies.
There is annually appropriated from the Township Treasury all
such sums of money that may hereafter be paid into the Township Treasury
by the Treasurer of the State of Pennsylvania on account of taxes
paid on premiums of foreign fire insurance companies in pursuance
of 53 P.S. § 895.701 et seq., as hereafter amended, supplemented,
modified or reenacted by the General Assembly of Pennsylvania.
[Adopted 7-5-2022 by Ord. No. 4-2022]
The Fire Chief shall be appointed by the Township Board of Supervisors.
A. The Fire Chief shall fulfill the qualifications as may be established,
from time to time, by the Board of Supervisors and shall devote his
entire time and attention to the duties of his/her office.
B. The Fire Chief shall be chosen solely on the basis of his or her
fire experience and qualifications.
C. The Fire Chief will serve as an at-will, exempt employee. The Fire
Chief will reside within a ten-mile radius of the nearest Township
boundary.
D. The Fire Chief shall be able to work in all weather conditions and
occasionally in extremely hazardous conditions or environments, must
be able to climb ladders, wear SCBA, and work effectively at emergency
scenes.
E. The Fire Chief must maintain a Pennsylvania driver's license.
The salary range for the office of Fire Chief shall be fixed
by the Board of Supervisors.
The authority and duties of the Fire Chief are as follows:
A. There will be one Fire Chief in Cecil Township.
(1) The Fire Chief may designate or assign a Deputy Chief in his or her
absence. This person may be selected from career or volunteer ranks
and must satisfy the necessary qualifications for the Fire Chief.
This position may be a permanent or temporary position based on the
needs of the Township.
(2) The Fire Chief may designate or assign a Fire Code Official, other
related technical officers, or inspectors, as necessary to meet the
needs of the Township and its residents.
(3) The Fire Chief shall also act as the Cecil Township Emergency Management
Coordinator.
B. The Fire Chief shall oversee the volunteer fire companies, and departments
thereof, operating in Cecil Township.
(1) The Fire Chief shall manage Township funding and disbursements of
budgetary annual allotment for each volunteer fire company. This will
be accomplished with the Fire Chief establishing and working with
a Volunteer fire company financial committee comprised of two members
from each department of each company.
(2) The Fire Chief shall prepare the rules, regulations, and standard
operating guidelines for the operation of all volunteer fire companies.
(3) The Fire Chief shall abide by and provide input into the creation
or amendment of the fire protection agreement, if any, that may be
entered into by the Board of Supervisors and a volunteer fire company.
(4) The Fire Chief shall promote the recruitment and retention of volunteer
firefighters.
(5) The Fire Chief will recognize and accept the volunteer fire companies'
elected officers ("line officers") and will work with these officers
to establish and develop future minimum requirements for officers.
The elected officers in each department will consist of a minimum
of one Assistant Chief, one Captain, and one Lieutenant.
(6) The Fire Chief shall schedule regular staff and/or line officer and
other departmental meetings, as necessary. The Fire Chief will strive
to work with the line officers and will establish committees to encourage
input and progress of safety, operations and projects.
C. The Fire Chief shall oversee and command all fire, rescue and emergency
operations within Cecil Township.
(1) The Fire Chief shall have full power and authority over all firefighters
at the scene of a fire incident or other emergency. The Fire Chief
shall plan the strategy in overcoming the fire or other emergency
and shall issue and enforce such orders as in his judgment may be
necessary for the protection of life, property and the environment.
The Fire Chief shall give all orders on the scene through channels
of authority or delegation. The Fire Chief may give direct orders
to any firefighter who may be available for immediate action. In general,
the Fire Chief will work with the line officers to mitigate all incidents
within Cecil Township.
(2) It shall be the duty of the Fire Chief, or other officers in charge
at the scene of a fire or emergency, to endeavor to provide a safe
working environment.
(3) The Fire Chief shall investigate or delegate responsibility to investigate
the cause and origin of all fires involving loss of property, injuries,
or death and file reports with any and all appropriate agencies.
D. The Fire Chief will be responsible for the oversight of fire prevention
activities throughout the Township to include fire code enforcement
and public education and general fire prevention activities.
(1) The Fire Chief shall develop, recommend and provide the Township
Board of Supervisors written plans for efficient and effective fire
prevention, fire suppression and lifesaving services in the Township.
E. The Fire Chief shall be responsible for the purchasing/selling of
all apparatus, equipment, personal protective equipment and any other
related firefighting items through an annual budget process. The Fire
Chief will work with the line officers to assure that the needs of
the Township companies and residents are met and that delivery of
service is not compromised.
F. The Fire Chief shall designate the locations of all fire stations
and new fire hydrants. The Fire Chief will work closely with the line
officers on stations and hydrants.
G. The Fire Chief shall implement reasonable programs and procedures
to properly maintain all company equipment and buildings. The Fire
Chief will work closely with the line officers to achieve this task.
H. The Fire Chief will attend training programs, when possible, to maintain
and enhance knowledge of modern firefighting techniques, methodologies
and skills. These trainings and related costs included in the budget
shall be approved by the Township, at its discretion.
I. The Fire Chief shall perform other departmental duties and responsibilities
as assigned by the Board of Supervisors from time to time, including
but not limited to representing the volunteer fire companies or Township
at functions or meetings at the state or local level.