There is hereby established in the Township of Manchester an
advisory body which shall be known as the Manchester Township Wildfire
Safety Council.
The purpose of a municipal Wildfire Safety Council (WSC) is
to coordinate wildfire prevention efforts within the given Township.
To coordinate these efforts, the WSC may seek grant funding, propose
and conduct outreach efforts, develop education opportunities to inform
residents what they can do personally to reduce their wildfire risks.
They may act as the point of contact for the New Jersey Forestry Services,
Forest Fire Service and their many outreach and educational efforts
including, but not limited to, Firewise Communities, Community Wildfire
Protection Plans (CWPP), and Ready Set Go, for the purpose of reducing
the risk of wildfire for all residents. The WSC may seek technical
assistance from state and federal agencies and arrange and conduct
training exercises for residents and municipal staff. A Wildfire Safety
Council's purpose is to increase the wildfire preparedness and
planning capacity in the municipality they serve.
The WSC shall conduct all meetings pursuant to the Open Public
Meetings Act (OPRA) and record minutes to reflect the business conducted
during the meetings. The WSC shall meet quarterly or more frequently
as needed to address the specific needs of the Township. The FSC shall
submit an annual report to the Mayor and to the State Forest Firewarden
at the New Jersey Forestry Services, Forest Fire Service to provide
an accounting of the official duties performed and tasks completed
by the Council during the preceding year. The report shall be submitted
by February 1 of each calendar year.
With Township Council approval, the WSC may seek, accept and
spend grant or donated funds for projects submitted to address the
wildfire needs of the municipality. The WSC may manage any municipal
funds as appropriated, subject to the approval of the governing body.