[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Supervisors of the Township of Springfield as indicated in article histories. Amendments noted where applicable.]
[Adopted 9-5-2017 by Ord. No. 3-2017]
As used in this article, the following terms have their meaning set forth below:
FIRE CHIEF
The Chief of the Springfield Volunteer Fire Department.
FIRE DEPARTMENT
The Springfield Township Volunteer Fire Department and any other fire department performing services within Springfield Township;
KEY LOCKBOX
A high security key vault system approved by the Fire Chief of the Springfield Township Volunteer Fire Department for secure containment of access keys, material safety data sheets, and pertinent site information that may assist the Fire Department personnel in a fire or emergency response.
The following structures shall be equipped with a key lockbox at or near the main entrance or such other location as required by the Fire Chief:
A. 
Commercial or industrial structures protected by an automatic alarm system or automatic suppression system, or such structures that are secured in a manner that restricts access during an emergency;
B. 
Multifamily residential structures that have restricted access through locked doors and have a common corridor for access to living units;
C. 
Governmental structures, except the building in which the Fire Department is located;
D. 
All multistory occupancies that have elevators service upper floors;
E. 
Nursing care facilities;
F. 
Health care facilities;
G. 
Schools;
H. 
Any building containing hazardous materials in such quantities as to be determined a public safety threat as determined by the Fire Chief;
I. 
Any premises with manual or power operated gates necessary to be opened for Fire Department access and where security personal are not on the premises 24 hours a day to permit access.
The Fire Chief shall designate the type of key lockbox system to be implemented within the Township and shall have the authority to require all structures to use the designated system pursuant to the requirements of this article.
A. 
The Fire Chief is authorized and shall implement rules and regulations for the use of the lockbox system subject to approval by the Board of Supervisors.
B. 
The Fire Chief shall, with the consent of the Board of Supervisors, develop a written policy and/or rules providing for an exemption that may be granted from the requirements of this article to certain multiunit buildings and to structures which are open for business with on-premises personnel 24 hours per day, seven days per week.
The location of the lockbox shall be approved by the Springfield Township Volunteer Fire Chief and comply with the following criteria:
A. 
The lockbox shall be located at a height of not less than four feet and not more than eight feet above the finished grade at the outside wall on which the box is to be located.
B. 
The lockbox shall be located at or near the recognized main public entrance on the exterior of the structure. When the building is serviced by a fire suppression system, the location box may be located above the fire department connection.
C. 
No steps, displays, signs, or other fixtures or structure protrusions shall be located under the box.
A. 
The lockbox shall contain keys that are labeled and identified to open all doors/rooms that are specified by the Springfield Township Volunteer Fire Department and other pertinent information that is specified by the Fire Chief. This includes, but is not limited to, keys for:
(1) 
Main entrance door;
(2) 
Alarm room;
(3) 
Mechanical rooms and sprinkler control room;
(4) 
Fire alarm control panel;
(5) 
Electrical rooms;
B. 
As well as hazardous materials MSDS, as required by the Fire Chief.
Application for a lockbox shall be made on forms provided to the owner or occupant of the building by Springfield Township. Such owner and/or occupant shall be responsible for the cost to purchase, install and maintain the lockbox. No lockbox shall be installed, voluntarily or otherwise, without first obtaining the approval of the Fire Chief of the Springfield Township Volunteer Fire Department.
All structures in existence on the effective date of this article and subject to the requirements herein shall have one year from the effective date of this article to install a key lockbox in a manner compliant with the requirements herein.
A. 
No individual Fire Department personnel other than the Fire Chief shall carry a lockbox key or master key on their person except when actively fighting a fire or responding to an emergency call.
B. 
All lockbox access keys, including master keys, shall be installed in a key secure system in fire apparatus.
The provisions of this article shall be enforced by the Springfield Township Zoning Officer, the Springfield Township Code Enforcement Officer and/or any other person, including duly authorized police officers together with other personnel appointed by resolution of the Board of Supervisors.
Any person, entity, or corporation who has violated any provision of this article shall, upon summary conviction thereof before a District Magisterial Judge or other judicial official having jurisdiction over summary offenses, be sentenced to pay a fine of not less than $100 nor more than $1,000 plus the cost of prosecution and/or up to 90 days imprisonment in the Mercer County Jail. Each day's violation of any provision of this article shall be construed to be a separate violation.
[Adopted 3-20-2023 by Ord. No. 1-2023]
The Springfield Township Volunteer Fire Department is hereby authorized and directed, by and through its officers and authorized representatives, to ascertain what insurance coverages may be applicable and available under any given circumstance, and to take all necessary and affirmative steps to apply for and receive reimbursement from any individuals and/or insurance carriers to reimburse the Department for any costs and/or expenses incurred for services, supplies, and/or equipment used for or provided to the property owner and/ or the vehicle owner/operator by the Department.
A. 
Under no circumstances shall any property owner or insurer ever be billed by the Department for fire protection or other services provided by the Department except in cases of false alarms and fires intentionally set by the property owner.
B. 
. Under no circumstances shall any property owner or insurer ever be billed by the Department for manpower or any other cost that is incurred in the normal course of operations. Instead, all costs billed shall be for the recovery or reimbursement of costs and/or expenses actually incurred by the Department in service to the individual.