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Township of Cecil, PA
Washington County
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Code
New Laws (8) Index
[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Supervisors of the Township of Cecil as indicated in article histories. Amendments noted where applicable.]
[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.
[1]
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I).
[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.