[Adopted 10-19-2022 by Ord. No. 2022-16]
A. 
The Chief Fire Official shall be the chief officer of the fire departments for East Hempfield Township and the Hempfield Area Fire Services Commission. The Chief Fire Official shall report to the East Hempfield Township Board of Supervisors through the Township Manager.
B. 
The Chief Fire Official shall determine and identify the response territory within the Township for each fire department.
C. 
The Chief Fire Official shall monitor and respond to alarms and fires to meet the needs of the fire companies. The Chief Fire Official has authority to assume command of any incident, if deemed appropriate or if conditions warrant. In the absence of the Chief Fire Official, a fire company officer within the district in which the incident has occurred will assume command.
D. 
The Chief Fire Official shall have the power and responsibility to enforce all laws, ordinances and regulations with respect to the investigation of cause, origin and circumstances of fires. The Chief Fire Official or a designee may investigate or assist in the investigation of all fires in the Township.
E. 
The individual fire company officers shall retain their respective authority and duties within their departments. The Fire Chiefs and subordinate officers shall continue to be responsible for the maintenance, efficiency and conduct of their respective companies. The Chief Fire Official shall have authority and oversight over all departments within the Township and any departments that may fall under the Hempfield Area Fire Services Commission.
F. 
The Chief Fire Official shall provide monthly and annual reports to the Board of Supervisors and the Hempfield Area Fire Services Commission regarding activities of the fire services and any information or statistics deemed necessary or appropriate to offer an appraisal of the fire services and any recommendations for change.
G. 
The Chief Fire Official shall have the authority to declare a property in East Hempfield Township temporarily uninhabitable for safety reasons. The property shall be vacated and secured for safety reasons until the Building Code Official can assess the situation and make a final determination.