[Ord. 2015-04, 12/16/2015]
Fire service within the Borough of Conshohocken shall be provided
by the volunteer fire companies known as the Washington Hose &
S.F. Engine Co. #1 and the Conshohocken Fire Company #2.
[Ord. 2015-04, 12/16/2015; as amended by Ord. No. 03-2022, 1/19/2022;
by Ord. No. 03-2024, 3/6/2024]
1.
Borough Council shall appoint a Fire Chief who shall attend and be
in command at all fire calls in the Borough and who shall supervise
and direct all firefighting personnel and the operation, disposal
and use of all firefighting equipment at such fire calls, having due
regard for the protection of lives and property. At all fire scenes,
the Fire Chief shall be vested with the authority and powers of a
fire police officer.
2.
The Fire Chief shall have the authority to make and promulgate written
rules and regulations governing the conduct, methods and procedures
to be followed by both volunteer fire companies in responding to calls
and in fighting fires in the Borough. When such rules and regulations
have been approved by Borough Council, they shall be effective and
binding upon the individual companies and shall be posted permanently
and prominently upon the bulletin board in each company over the signature
of the Fire Chief.
3.
The Fire Chief shall have the authority to exclude the public or
vehicles from the vicinity of a fire when circumstances and public
safety shall so require.
4.
The Fire Chief shall have the right and duty to make monthly inspections
and inventories of the apparatus and equipment of both volunteer fire
companies, and to make recommendations and reports to the company
and Council regarding the maintenance, condition, repair and improvement
of their equipment and apparatus. He shall keep permanent records
of such inspections and inventories, which shall be available to the
proper officers of the Borough at all times. All requisitions for
firefighting equipment and appropriations from Borough Council shall
be transmitted by the individual companies to the office of the Fire
Chief, who shall in every instance attach thereto his recommendation
and forward same to the Borough Manager for Council consideration.
5.
The Fire Chief shall not engage or participate in the internal affairs
of either volunteer fire company. He may maintain his membership in
either company but hold no company office and shall exercise no right
to vote or to speak as a member upon any company matter. The foregoing
shall not preclude the Fire Chief from appearing before or communicating
with either company in his official capacity.
6.
The Fire Chief shall have control and supervision over the Deputy
Fire Chief, the Assistant Fire Chiefs, the Battalion Chief, the Fire
Captain, the Fire Safety Officers (except to the extent National Fire
Protection Association standards provide otherwise), and the Fire
Police; provided, however, that the Fire Chief shall have no supervisory
authority over employees of the Borough unless such employees are
engaged in firefighting activity during a fire call.
7.
Appointments shall be made to take effect on the second Wednesday
of January of each odd-numbered year; such appointees to serve until
their respective successors have been duly appointed and qualified.
Vacancies shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment
was made, for the unexpired portion of the term. The compensation
of the Fire Chief shall be fixed from time to time by Council.
[Ord. No. 03-2022, 1/19/2022]
1.
Council shall appoint one Deputy Fire Chief. Said Deputy Fire Chief
shall serve until their successor is duly appointed and qualified.
2.
In addition to the authority granted pursuant to the chain of command set forth in § 1-703.3, the Deputy Fire Chief shall perform such duties as the Fire Chief may assign to them.
3.
The compensation of the Deputy Fire Chief shall be fixed from time
to time by Borough Council.
[Ord. 2015-04, 12/16/2015; amended by Ord. No. 03-2022, 1/19/2022]
1.
Council shall appoint a total of two Assistant Fire Chiefs. One Assistant
Fire Chief shall be appointed from each volunteer fire company upon
the recommendation of, or election from, their respective fire companies.
Said Assistant Chiefs shall serve until their respective successors
are recommended, or elected, by their company and approved by Borough
Council.
2.
In addition to control and supervisory duties pursuant to the chain of command set forth in § 1-703.3, the Assistant Fire Chiefs shall perform such additional duties as may be assigned to them by the Fire Chief or his designee.
3.
The compensation of the Assistant Fire Chiefs shall be fixed from
time to time by Borough Council.
[Ord. No. 03-2022, 1/19/2022]
1.
Borough Council shall appoint a Battalion Chief who shall be appointed
from one of the volunteer fire companies serving the Borough, upon
the recommendation of the Fire Chief, Deputy Fire Chief, and the volunteer
fire companies. Said Battalion Chief shall serve until their successor
is duly appointed and qualified.
2.
In addition to control and supervisory duties pursuant to the chain of command set forth in § 1-703.3, the Battalion Chief shall perform such additional duties as may be assigned to them by the Fire Chief or his designee.
3.
The compensation of the Battalion Chief shall be fixed from time
to time by Borough Council.
[Ord. No. 03-2024, 3/6/2024]
1.
Borough Council shall appoint one Fire Captain. Said Fire Captain
shall serve until their successor is appointed and qualified.
2.
In addition to the authority granted pursuant to the chain of command set forth in § 1-703.3, the Fire Captain shall perform such duties as the Fire Chief may assign to them.
3.
The compensation of the Fire Captain shall be fixed from time to
time by Borough Council.
[Ord. No. 03-2022, 1/19/2022]
1.
Borough Council shall appoint two Safety Officers, one from each
volunteer fire company upon the recommendation of, or election from,
their respective fire companies. Said Safety Officers shall serve
until their respective successors are recommended, or elected, by
their company and approved by Borough Council.
2.
Safety Officers shall have the qualifications, powers, and duties
provided for, and required under, National Fire Protection Association
standards.
3.
In addition to control and supervisory duties pursuant to the chain of command set forth in § 1-703.3, the Safety Officers shall perform such additional duties as may be assigned to them by the Fire Chief or his designee, provided that the Safety Officers shall not be required to perform any duty inconsistent with their duties and powers under National Fire Protection Association standards.
4.
The compensation of the Safety Officers shall be fixed from time
to time by Borough Council.
[Ord. No. 03-2022, 1/19/2022; as amended by Ord. No.
03-2024, 3/6/2024]
1.
When at the scene of fires or in the event of an absence from the community for more than 24 hours, the relative authority of those holding the positions established by § 1-702 (Fire Chief), § 1-702.1 (Deputy Fire Chief), § 1-703 (Assistant Fire Chiefs), § 1-703.1 (Battalion Chief), § 1-703.1A (Fire Captain), and § 1-703.2 (Safety Officers), shall be subject to the chain of command structure set forth in Subsection 2.
2.
The chain of command shall be as follows, with each level on the
chain of command taking over command in the absence of those higher
in rank on the chain of command, until such time as those higher on
the chain of command arrive on the scene or in the case of absence
from the community, return to the community. From highest to lowest
rank, the chain of command shall be:
|
Fire Chief
|
|
Deputy Fire Chief
|
|
Assistant Fire Chiefs (2)
|
|
Battalion Chief
|
|
Fire Captain
|
|
Safety Officers (2)
|
3.
Those of equal rank in the chain of command shall assume command
as follows:
[Ord. 2015-04, 12/16/2015]
1.
The office of Fire Marshal is hereby created for the Borough of Conshohocken.
Such officer shall be appointed by the Borough Manager and confirmed
by Council. The office of Fire Marshal shall be under the direction
and supervision of the Borough Manager.
2.
The Fire Marshal shall investigate and keep a permanent record of
the cause, origin, and circumstances of every fire and the damage
resulting from it, occurring within the Borough, immediately after
the occurrence of the fire. The Fire Marshal shall also during his
tenure as Borough Fire Marshal serve as Assistant State Fire Marshal,
and after being appointed Assistant State Fire Marshal, shall exercise
and perform all the powers and duties provided by law for Assistant
State Fire Marshals. He shall also enforce all local ordinances and
codes relating to fire prevention and control, and shall determine
what types of receptacles, containers and enclosures are safe and
proper for the burning of trash or waste.
3.
The Fire Marshal shall be authorized to carry and to display his
badge of office and proper identification on his person and uniform.
4.
Appointments shall be made to take effect on the second Wednesday
of January of each odd-numbered year; such appointees shall serve
until their successors have been appointed and qualified. Vacancies
shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment was
made for the unexpired portion of the term.
5.
The compensation of the Fire Marshal shall be fixed from time to
time by Council.
6.
The Fire Marshal shall plan, schedule and arrange and supervise fire
drills and other fire prevention and safety procedures.
7.
The Fire Marshal shall perform such additional duties relating to
fire prevention and fire investigation which the Borough may assign
to him.
8.
The Fire Marshal shall submit periodic reports, at least annually,
to Council through the office of the Borough Manager regarding the
number, types and amount of fire loss in the Borough during the preceding
period.
9.
The office of Deputy Fire Marshal is hereby created by the Borough
of Conshohocken, and two persons shall be appointed by the Borough
Manager and confirmed by Borough Council to serve for a term of two
years and until their successors are appointed. One Deputy Fire Marshal
shall be appointed from the membership of each of the two volunteer
fire companies in the Borough.
10.
The Deputy Fire Marshals shall serve under the direction and supervision
of the Fire Marshal and shall efficiently perform whatever duties
of the Fire Marshal he may delegate or assign to them, and shall perform
the duties of the Fire Marshal in his absence or in the event of his
incapacity to perform his duties. The Deputy Fire Marshals shall have
all of the legal power and authority of the Fire Marshal except that
they shall be subject to the supervision and superior authority of
the Fire Marshal. The Deputy Marshals shall be and are hereby authorized
to carry and display their badges of office and proper identification
on their persons and uniforms. Any equipment required by the Deputy
Fire Marshals shall be requisitioned through the Borough Manager.
The Deputy Fire Marshals shall take an oath of office before the Mayor
or any District Justice before commencing their duties. The Deputy
Fire Marshals shall be ex officio Deputy Fire Inspectors.
[Ord. 2015-04, 12/16/2015]
The Fire Chief shall requisition from Borough Council whatever
equipment or supplies are necessary for the operation of his office
or the office of the Assistant Fire Chiefs.
[Ord. 2015-04, 12/16/2015]
Fees in an amount as established from time to time by resolution
of Borough Council shall be charged by the Fire Marshal.
[Ord. 2015-04, 12/16/2015]
1.
Mandatory Key Boxes for Fire Suppression and Standpipe Systems. When
a building within the Borough of Conshohocken is protected by an automatic
fire suppression or standpipe system, it shall be equipped with a
key box. The key box shall be installed at a location approved by
the Borough of Conshohocken Fire Marshal/Code Official. The key box
shall be a UL type and size approved by the Fire Marshal/Code Official.
2.
Mandatory Key Boxes for Automatic Alarm Systems. When a building
is protected by an automatic alarm system and/or access to or within
a building, or an area within that building, is unduly difficult because
of secure openings and where immediate access is necessary for lifesaving
or firefighting purposes, the Fire Marshal/Code Official may require
a key box to be installed at an approved location. The key box shall
be a UL type and size approved by the Fire Marshal/Code Official.
3.
Key Box Tamper Switch. The Fire Marshal/Code Official may require
a key box tamper switch connected to the building's fire alarm/security
system.
4.
Security Padlocks. When a property is protected by a locked fence
or gate and where immediate access to the property is necessary for
lifesaving or firefighting purposes, the Fire Marshal/Code Official
may require a security padlock to be installed at an approved location.
The padlock shall be a UL type and size approved by the Fire Marshal/Code
Official.
5.
Security Caps. When a building is protected by an automatic sprinkler
system or standpipe system and the Fire Department connection is exposed
to undue vandalism, the Fire Marshal/Code Official may require a Fire
Department connection security cap(s) be installed. The security cap(s)
shall be a type approved by the Fire Marshal/Code Official.
6.
Rapid Response Key Boxes. The rapid response key boxes shall contain
the following:
A.
Keys to locked points of egress, whether in the interior or exterior
of such buildings.
B.
Keys to locked mechanical rooms.
C.
Keys to locked elevator rooms.
D.
Keys to elevator controls.
E.
Keys to any fenced or secured areas.
F.
Keys to other areas that may be required by the Fire Marshal/Code
Official.
G.
A card containing the emergency contact people and phone numbers
for such building.
7.
Compliance Time. All existing buildings shall comply with this Part
within six months from its effective date. All newly constructed buildings
not yet occupied, buildings currently under construction and all buildings
or businesses applying for a certificate of occupancy shall comply
immediately.
[Ord. 2015-04, 12/16/2015]
The operator of the building shall immediately notify the Fire
Marshal/Code Official and provide the new key(s) when a lock is changed
or rekeyed. The key shall be secured in the key box. Any person who
violates any provision of this section shall, upon conviction thereof,
be sentenced to pay a fine not exceeding $1,000, plus costs, and,
in default of payment of such fine and costs, be imprisoned for not
more than 30 days for each offense.
