[HISTORY: Adopted by the Township Committee of the Township
of Washington 6-13-2017 by Ord.
No. 2017-02. Amendments noted where applicable.]
The Municipality is hereby establishing a Municipal local Wildfire
Safety Council within the Township of Washington, County of Burlington
and State of New Jersey.
The purpose of a Municipal Wildfire Safety Council (WSC), within
the Office of Emergency Management and LEPC is to coordinate wildfire
prevention efforts. To coordinate these efforts the FSC may seek grant
funding, propose and conduct outreach efforts, develop education opportunities
to inform residents and forest property owners 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 FSC may seek technical assistance from state
and federal agencies and arrange and conduct training for residents
and emergency responders. A Wildfire Safety Council's purpose
is to increase the wildfire prevention capacity in the municipality
they serve.
A.Â
The Council shall consist of a minimum of five members appointed
by the Mayor, with membership as follows: the OEM Coordinator, the
local Fire Chief(s) two, and two representatives from the LEPC/Community
Forestry. The members shall serve without compensation except as hereinafter
provided.
B.Â
The Mayor shall designate one of the members to serve as Chairman
and presiding officer of the Commission and appoint one member from
the Township Committee to serve as liaison to the governing body.
External advisors from the New Jersey State Forestry Services-Forest
Fire Service, State Parks and Wildlife Services and other agencies
may be designated as appropriate.
C.Â
The Mayor or governing body may remove any member of the Council
for cause, on written charges served upon the member and after the
hearing thereon at which the member shall be entitled to be heard
in person or by counsel. A vacancy on the Council shall be in writing
and a new member appointed by the Mayor.
A.Â
The Wildfire Safety Council is established for the protection of
Municipal residents by increasing the capacity of education, training
and prevention efforts. The Council shall have the power to seek grant
funds, coordinate efforts to increase outreach, provide education
and training and act as a link to the local fire companies and emergency
responders for preparedness and training efforts. The FSC may conduct
studies, training and outreach and seek technical and financial assistance
for wildfire risk reduction. The FSC may seek local planning and development
efforts to ensure fuel breaks and emergency access are utilized in
fire-prone areas.
B.Â
The FSC Council may form subcommittees of volunteers or enlist advisors
to increase the Council's ability to address specific wildfire
needs as they are identified.
The FSC shall conduct all formal meetings pursuant to the Open
Public Meetings Act (OPRA)[1] and record minutes to reflect the business conducted during
the meetings. The FSC shall meet biannually or more frequently as
needed to address the specific needs of the Municipality. The FSC
shall submit an annual report to the Mayor and to the State Forest
Fire Warden 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.
The FSC may seek, accept and spend grant or donated funds for
projects submitted to address the wildfire needs of the Municipality.
The FSC may manage any Municipal funds as appropriated, subject to
the approval of the governing body.
