[Ord. No. 3-2022, 22, passed 8-22-2022]
The Bureau of Fire shall consist of career and volunteer personnel.
Career personnel shall consist of firefighters regularly employed
for operating fire suppression apparatus, controlling fires, and other
fire department duties. Volunteer personnel shall consist of firefighters
who are trained in fire suppression, operate support apparatus, handle
emergencies, and respond to such emergencies on their own initiative.
[Ord. No. 3-2022, 22, passed 8-22-2022]
The Bureau of Fire shall consist of a number of career firefighters
that are necessary to maintain an effective fire suppression force
for the protection of lives and property within the City. It shall
also consist of the nine volunteer fire companies and their membership
which have been designated by ordinance as City fire companies and
such other companies as may be admitted from time to time by authority
of Council. No company shall receive such recognition unless authorized
by an ordinance of Council.
[Ord. No. 3-2022, 22, passed 8-22-2022]
The Bureau of Fire shall be under the direct control of the
Director of Public Safety. Supervision of the Bureau shall lie with
the Fire Chief who shall report to the Director. The Fire Chief shall be
responsible for maintaining discipline and efficiency among the fire
companies. The operation of the Fire Department shall be governed
by standard operating procedures, standard operating guidelines, and
a negotiated contract, supervised by the Fire Chief. The Fire Chief
shall also have charge of all fire-extinguishing equipment owned or
controlled by the City. He or she shall from time to time visit and
inspect the companies and apparatus and shall keep an inventory of
all fire-extinguishing equipment belonging to the City.
[Ord. No. 3-2022, 22, passed 8-22-2022]
There is hereby established within the Bureau of Fire the following
Table of Organization:
[Ord. No. 3-2022, 22, passed 8-22-2022]
The senior officer of the Bureau of Fire shall be the Fire Chief,
who shall be subject to the ordinances of the City, the standard operating
procedures and standard operating guidelines of the Department, and
any orders as may be issued to him or her by the Director of Public
Safety.
[Ord. No. 3-2022, 22, passed 8-22-2022]
The City shall own and be responsible for the repair, maintenance
and replacement of all structures housing the firefighting apparatus
of the City companies. The City shall also be responsible for providing
and maintaining firefighting equipment, excluding trucks and uniforms.
Should the structure be leased, the terms and conditions of the maintenance
of the structure shall be governed by the lease agreement.
[Ord. No. 3-2022, 22, passed 8-22-2022]
Council shall make a yearly appropriation in an equal amount
in the name of each company to be regulated and controlled by the
Fire Chief, such funds to provide the level of fire protection deemed
necessary by the Mayor.
[Ord. No. 3-2022, 22, passed 8-22-2022]
The City shall reimburse fire companies for the purchase of
fire trucks and such amount not exceeding 25% of the expenses incurred
in purchasing the same. No such reimbursement shall be made unless
the Fire Chief and the Mayor were present at the specification developments
and negotiations and approved the purchase of the fire apparatus.
The monies required for reimbursement as set forth in this article
shall be paid out of the Emergency Apparatus Fund or the Capital Reserve
Fund.
[Ord. No. 3-2022, 22, passed 8-22-2022]
(a)
Pursuant to the Firemen's Civil Service Act of May 31, 1933 (P.L.
1108) (53 P.S. § 39861 et seq.), as amended by Act 10 of
January 26, 1968 (53 P.S. § 39861.1), a Civil Service Board
consisting of three residents of the City is hereby established for
the examination of applicants for appointments to and promotions in
the paid Fire Bureau of the City or to otherwise administer the provisions
of the aforesaid Act.
(b)
The term of office for the members of the Board shall be four years.
However, in the case of the appointment of the first members to the
Board after the effective date of this section (Ordinance 55-1970,
71, passed November 8, 1971), one member shall serve for four years,
one member shall serve for three years and one member shall serve
for two years. The above-mentioned members shall serve until their
successors are appointed and qualified.
(c)
The members of the Board shall take and subscribe to the oath of
office prescribed by the Third Class City Code, Act of June 23, 1931
(P.L. 932), as amended (53 P.S. § 35905).
(d)
The Board is hereby authorized, empowered and directed to establish
such procedures, standards and rules as it may deem necessary to insure
that the City paid fire drivers shall be the highest caliber and most
competent individuals it is possible to obtain.
(e)
Any rules, standards or procedures established under this section
by the Board shall be approved by Council by resolution as a prerequisite
to their taking effect.
