All members of the volunteer fire company of the Borough of
Cheswick shall be entitled to receive compensation in case of injuries
received while actively engaged as firemen; or while going to or returning
from a fire which the fire company attended, including travel from
and the direct return to a fireman's home, place of business
or other place where he shall have been when he received the call
or alarm; or while participating in instruction fire drills in which
the fire company shall have participated; or while answering any emergency
calls for any purpose; or while riding upon the fire apparatus which
is owned or used by the fire company; or while performing any other
duties of such fire company, as authorized by the Borough of Cheswick,
which shall be deemed to be employees of the Borough of Cheswick for
purposes of workmen's compensation coverage as specified in 77
Purdon's Statutes, Section 1031.
The Council of the Borough of Cheswick hereby authorizes members
of the Cheswick volunteer fire company to perform the following duties,
in addition to the above-mentioned normal firefighting duties:
A. Participation in drills, practices, training sessions and prefire
planning activities authorized by the Fire Chief and supervised by
a qualified instructor. A qualified instructor is one with particular
competence in an area of skill required for firefighting and who has
been authorized by the Fire Chief.
B. Participation in community celebrations, ceremonial observances and
funerals for deceased firefighters or other public figures where attendance
is deemed appropriate. Specifically, these activities include the
assisting in or participating in the following activities: picking
up supplies out of town, the annual Halloween parade, the annual Christmas
week with Santa Claus in the Borough, Cheswick Day, Springdale Borough
4th of July parade, all authorized fire schools, monthly western association
and valley association meetings, blood bank sponsor, fire calls without
whistle alarm and out-of-town fires or emergencies. Any activities
not defined above will necessitate a written authorization by the
Fire Chief. Preparation for and responsible participation in additional
parades must be approved by the fire company, and written notice must
be provided to the municipality at least seven days prior to the event.
C. Performance of duties necessary to prepare the fire station for use
as a polling place for the primary and general elections. This is
extended to include like services performed at other municipal or
school district buildings for said elections.
D. Any and all public safety activities undertaken by the volunteer
fire company to render care to the injured, prevent loss of life,
provide comfort and security to victims and limit or prevent damage
to or loss of property as circumstances may dictate.
E. Any public service functions performed for the welfare of the community
as long as these activities are responsibly supervised and are sanctioned
by the volunteer fire company.
F. Rendering of assistance to police officers or Borough employees where
such aid is specifically requested or is done without request to protect
our citizens from imminent danger.
G. Participation in public programs to promote health and safety, to
enlist new members, solicit community support or conduct fund-raising
activities, so long as the activity is specifically sanctioned by
the volunteer fire company.
H. Participation in fire prevention inspections, post-fire investigations,
bomb searches and evacuation drills.
I. Safely and responsibly performing maintenance and remodeling work
on the volunteer fire company vehicles, buildings, grounds or equipment,
as authorized by the Fire Chief.
J. Performance of such other duties necessary for the efficient operation
of the volunteer services as may, from time to time, be assigned by
Council and authorized, in writing, by a responsible official of the
Borough of Cheswick; or while performing such other duties deemed
necessary by the volunteer fire company for the efficient operation
of the volunteer services, requested in writing and authorized in
writing by a responsible official of the Borough of Cheswick.
K. Participation as delegates to and as members of the North East Allegheny
Response Association (NEARA) hazardous materials response team. It
is understood that only those members of the Cheswick volunteer fire
company who have received the mandatory 166-hour training program
offered by the County of Allegheny will be recognized and accepted
as participants in the hazardous materials response team.
[Added 12-15-1987 by Res.
No. 18-87]
L. Participation in the required training offered by Allegheny County
and/or state and federal agencies sponsored by NEARA to achieve Level
I, II or III in hazardous materials handling in order to fulfill the
requirements to serve as a member of the North East Allegheny Response
Association (NEARA).
[Added 9-20-1988 by Res.
No. 9-88]
It is the purpose of this chapter to ensure that all members
of the Cheswick volunteer fire company shall be entitled to receive
compensation under the Workers' Compensation Law of Pennsylvania, if such person is injured while engaging in any of the
herein-mentioned activities.