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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.