[HISTORY: Adopted by the Borough Council of the Borough of Bellefonte 4-6-2009 by Ord. No. 040609-02; amended in its entirety 8-19-2019. Subsequent amendments noted where applicable.]
A. 
All fire companies now in existence and recognized in Bellefonte Borough as belonging to and being a part of the Bellefonte Fire Department of Bellefonte Borough, and any which may hereafter be organized or chartered and recognized by Bellefonte Borough, shall together form the Bellefonte Fire Department of Bellefonte Borough.
B. 
Each of the companies now recognized as forming a part of the Bellefonte Fire Department of Bellefonte Borough shall be issued a certificate of recognition by Bellefonte Borough Council, signed by the Bellefonte Borough Council President and attested by the Bellefonte Borough Secretary, on which the corporate or common seal of Bellefonte Borough is affixed. A similar certificate may be granted by Bellefonte Borough Council to any new company which may be formed and thus recognized by Bellefonte Borough Council as forming a part of the Bellefonte Fire Department and which shall be required to comply with the same conditions applicable to the present companies.
[Amended 2-20-2024 by Ord. No. 02202024-01]
A. 
The purpose of this Committee shall include, but not be limited to, the following:
(1) 
Review and recommend changes in the Bellefonte Borough codes pertaining to the Bellefonte Fire Department, the Bureau of Fire Prevention and Fire Codes.
(2) 
Establish and enforce Bellefonte Fire Department standard operating procedures and/or guidelines.
(3) 
Keep Bellefonte Borough Council informed relative to the Bellefonte Fire Department; oversee the operation of Bellefonte Fire Department and provide assistance to the Bellefonte Fire Department Chief as needed.
(4) 
Establish a ten-year strategic plan for the Bellefonte Fire Department.
(5) 
Review and approve all expenditures for major purchases as defined as those that require advertised bids under the Pennsylvania Borough Code.
(6) 
Review and recommend the annual budget for the Bellefonte Fire Department.
(7) 
Ensure that the Bellefonte Fire Department is functioning in an efficient and fiscally responsible fashion.
B. 
Meetings of this Committee will be conducted at least once every other month, or more often if needed, to take care of business, and will be held in the Bellefonte Borough Building whenever possible.
C. 
The Bellefonte Fire Department Executive Committee is comprised of the following members:
(1) 
Representatives from Benner Township, Spring Township, Marion Township, and Bellefonte Borough with each appointing their respective backups.
(2) 
The Bellefonte Fire Department Chief/Acting Chair for the BFDEC. The BFDEC can appoint a Co-Chair for the Committee if so desired.
(3) 
Undine Company Chief.
(4) 
Logan Company Chief.
(5) 
Undine Company Deputy Chief and two at-large members of the fire company.
(6) 
Logan Company Deputy Chief and two at-large members of the fire company.
D. 
Meetings can be called by the Bellefonte Fire Department Chief and two at-large members of the fire company.
E. 
A quorum consists of a minimum of seven voting members excluding the Bellefonte Fire Department Chief. Decisions are made by a simple majority vote.
(1) 
The members-at-large of the fire companies (5 and 6) shall be appointed based on criteria established.
(2) 
Effective January 2013, the following criteria shall be used by each fire company for selecting their respective members-at-large to sit as active members for the BFDEC:
(a) 
Must have been an active member of either company for a minimum of four consecutive years. An active member includes a firefighter, fire officer, or administrative officer;
(b) 
Must have been a firefighter technician level as defined by the Bellefonte Fire Department SOGs during their time;
(c) 
One at-large member from each company may be appointed solely based on outside qualifications without the need to meet the minimum firefighter requirements.
(d) 
The Committee member must maintain membership status within his/her respective organization;
(e) 
The Committee member cannot miss more than 25% of meetings, which includes special meetings;
(f) 
The Committee member can hold successive terms if he/she meets the above criteria;
(g) 
Each appointed member will declare at the November meeting if he/she is interested in serving the following year.
A. 
The Bellefonte Fire Department shall at all times be under the direction, control and supervision of an officer who shall be titled the Bellefonte Fire Department Chief. The Company Chief of each of the recognized fire companies, now or hereafter recognized as part of the Bellefonte Fire Department, shall be Deputies to the Bellefonte Fire Department Chief. The companies and their subordinate officers shall at all times be subject to the Bellefonte Fire Department Chief's order and direction. All changes or repairs to any fire apparatus or equipment shall be authorized by the order of the Bellefonte Fire Department Chief, who shall also authorize the purchase of all supplies by signing all vouchers for said purchases.
B. 
Company Chiefs from both companies shall submit to the Bellefonte Fire Department Executive Committee a list of fire officers (Deputy Chiefs, Assistant Chiefs, and Captains).
[Amended 2-20-2024 by Ord. No. 02202024-01]
A. 
The Bellefonte Fire Department Executive Committee (BFDEC) shall recommend for appointment to Bellefonte Borough Council the Bellefonte Fire Department Chief to a three-year term, commencing July 1. The initial term shall be commenced in the year 2012. Prior to the expiration of the Bellefonte Fire Department Chief's term on June 30 of the third year of the term, the BFDEC shall announce the vacancy by posting an announcement along with the job description during the month of April. At the May meeting, the BFDEC shall review the list of applicants' qualifications, make a determination, and forward a recommendation to the Bellefonte Borough Council for the appointment of a Bellefonte Fire Department Chief for a three-year term. Bellefonte Borough Council shall vote on the recommendation at one of their two June meetings. With Bellefonte Borough Council's approval, the appointment shall become effective July 1. An incumbent Bellefonte Fire Department Chief is eligible to reapply at the end of a three-year term for up to no more than one additional term for a total of six consecutive years. Should a Bellefonte Fire Department Chief be selected for two consecutive terms or six years, the individual is not eligible for any further appointment without a minimum three-year hiatus as Bellefonte Fire Department Chief. The exception to this qualification is if there are no qualified applicants to fill the vacancy.
B. 
The qualifications for the Bellefonte Fire Department Chief shall be as follows:
(1) 
Must be an active member of the Bellefonte Fire Department for a minimum of six years.
(2) 
Must have been a chief officer for at least three years, with one of those years as the ranking Company Chief of one of the Bellefonte fire companies.
(3) 
Must be certified as either ProBoard or IFSAC Firefighter-1, and complete certification as either ProBoard or IFSAC Firefighter-2 by the completion of the individual's first term.
(4) 
Must have successfully completed the current ICS Leadership Level (Example ICS 300).
(5) 
Must have successfully completed a course on Incident Safety Officer training.
(6) 
Must be certified as either ProBoard or IFSAC to the level of Haz-Mat Operations; or must have obtained the current operational level standard and/or certification at the operational hazardous materials level.
(7) 
Must establish/maintain legal residency within the Bellefonte Fire Protection District or reside within 2.5 miles of its border.
C. 
All eligible candidates wishing to be considered for the position of Bellefonte Fire Department Chief will be required to submit a cover letter, resume, and supporting documentation outlining their qualifications during the posting timeline, which will be the month of April on the year ending a three-year term.
D. 
All application packets will be reviewed by the selection committee, which is comprised of three members of the BFDEC (two members to be appointed by the Company Chiefs and the third member to be appointed by a municipal representative).
E. 
In the event that no one meets the qualifications for Bellefonte Fire Department Chief, the BFDEC has the authority to reopen and/or extend the submission period with revised criteria.
F. 
The Bellefonte Fire Department Chief may appoint a support staff as necessary.
A. 
In the event of the vacancy of the office of Bellefonte Fire Department Chief for any reason, the BFDEC must convene a special meeting within seven working days. Such vacancy shall be filled for the unexpired term by a recommendation of the BFDEC This recommendation shall be forwarded to Bellefonte Borough Council within two weeks for approval. The BFDEC has seven days to name an interim Bellefonte Fire Department Chief and three months to select a new Department Chief.
B. 
The Bellefonte Fire Department Chief position description is on file at the Municipal Building and shall be included in any vacancy announcement package.
Whenever a complaint is made against the Bellefonte Fire Department Chief, the complaint shall be made in writing with required signature. The complaint shall be addressed to the BFDEC The BFDEC will take the necessary measures to investigate the complaint, appointing municipal members to investigate. Recusal is mandatory where a conflict of interest exists by virtue of the Investigative Committee member's professional, financial or personal relationship with the Bellefonte Fire Department Chief. The Bellefonte Borough Council, upon receiving a signed complaint and recommendation of the BFDEC, may place the Bellefonte Fire Department Chief on administrative suspension pending investigation. If investigation is sustained and appropriate to do so, the BFDEC shall recommend dismissal of the Bellefonte Fire Department Chief from office to the Bellefonte Borough Council for a decision. If a dismissal occurs pursuant to this section, the BFDEC will recommend an interim Bellefonte Fire Department Chief to Bellefonte Borough Council for approval of recommendation to fill the unexpired term.
A. 
The Bellefonte Fire Department Chief shall be responsible for the direction of all firefighters and all fire apparatus and equipment at the time of incidents. The Bellefonte Fire Department Chief may delegate responsibility to either Fire Company Chief or their authorized fire ground officers.
B. 
The Bellefonte Fire Department Chief may suspend any member for such period as he may deem proper, and not to exceed 90 days, subject to an appeal by such member to the BFDEC, which shall thereupon investigate the circumstances of such suspension and recommend concurrence of the action of the Bellefonte Fire Department Chief or reinstatement of the member so suspended. Persons sitting on the BFDEC who supervise or work under the accused party, or who initiated a complaint against the suspended member, shall recuse themselves from participating in such investigation. Recusal is also mandatory where a conflict of interest exists by virtue of the Committee member's professional, financial or personal relationship with the accused party.
A. 
It shall be the duty of the Bellefonte Fire Department Chief to verify through Company Chief certification that fire apparatus has been inspected based on the recommendation of the manufacturer and state mandates. It shall be the duty of the Bellefonte Fire Department Chief to verify through Company Chief certification that fire equipment has been inspected based on the recommendation of the manufacturer of said fire equipment. Records of such tests shall be maintained by each respective company Chief for a minimum of five years.
B. 
At the first Bellefonte Borough Council meeting in November each year, the Bellefonte Fire Department Chief shall appear before Council and present a report detailing the state of the Bellefonte Fire Department, the number and type of response incidents, the condition of apparatus and key equipment, personnel status, and proposed major purchases for the upcoming year.
A. 
By February 15 of each year, the Bellefonte Fire Department Chief shall submit to the Bellefonte Borough Police Department, for a background check, the names and operator's license numbers of members requesting to be qualified drivers and operators of fire apparatus. After the background check has been completed, a copy of the list shall be given to the Bellefonte Borough Manager for addition of those approved names to the insurance records. Each Company Chief shall be responsible for the training and testing of the operators of such companies.
B. 
The Bellefonte Fire Department Chief shall submit a list of members of such companies who are qualified to act as drivers and operators of fire apparatus to Bellefonte Borough Council, Bellefonte Police Department, Spring Township Police Department and State Police entities within the Bellefonte Fire Department's jurisdiction.
The Bellefonte Fire Department Chief and the Company Chiefs of the Bellefonte Fire Companies, with the assistance of the BFDEC, shall make such rules and regulations as they deem proper and necessary to regulate the work of the recognized fire companies in the Department during training, upon arriving at incidents, while remaining at incidents and while returning from incidents and in caring for and preserving all property, apparatus and equipment of the Bellefonte Fire Department.
A. 
The Bellefonte Fire Department Chief shall annually appoint the Fire Police Captain and those members who are eligible to be and wish to be members of the Fire Department Fire Police. It shall be the primary duty of those fire police officers to aid in traffic and crowd control and to secure property as needed and to assist the Bellefonte Fire Department Chief during emergencies as needed and any other duties assigned by the Bellefonte Department Chief or the incident commander.
B. 
Each fire police officer shall at all times be subject to and under the order and direction of each respective Company Chief.
At no time and under no circumstances shall any truck, fire apparatus or other equipment belonging to the Bellefonte Fire Department be removed from the Bellefonte Fire Department primary coverage area without the consent of the Bellefonte Fire Department Chief, unless the same is required to assist at a fire in a neighboring municipality, in which event the following regulations shall apply:
A. 
The Bellefonte Fire Department Chief and the company Chiefs are jointly responsible for the instruction of all officers of the Bellefonte Fire Department in such a manner that the exercise of good judgment with respect to the authority granted in the preceding subsections will be assured so that trucks, fire apparatus and other equipment not necessary to fulfill the fire protection responsibility at any given fire will be available in reserve to meet other emergencies.
A member of Bellefonte Borough Council shall not be eligible for the election to the office of Bellefonte Fire Department Chief of the Bellefonte Fire Department during the term of office for which he/she has been elected. No member of Bellefonte Borough Council who belongs to a Bellefonte Fire Company in the primary response area shall be appointed to the Bellefonte Fire Executive Committee and shall abstain from casting a vote at a Bellefonte Borough Council Meeting related to a motion affecting the Bellefonte Fire Department.
[Added 2-5-2024 by Ord. No. 02052024-01]
A. 
Bellefonte Fire Department shall have the authority and ability to obtain insurance information, from the individuals, businesses, and institutions who receive services of the Fire Department, for the purpose of billing for the same.
B. 
Bellefonte Fire Department shall obtain the appropriate insurance information for the purpose of billing for said services related to, but not limited to, vehicle accidents, rescues, structural fires, vehicle fires, and hazardous materials spills.
C. 
It is further provided that the Bellefonte Fire Department or third-party billing service, as an authorized agent, is hereby authorized to seek reimbursement from the appropriate insurance company/carrier's policy limits. It is further provided that the said Bellefonte Fire Department shall not bill the individuals or entities directly for any services rendered except in the case of an intentional false alarm of a fire that was intentionally set and for which insurance coverage is not available.
D. 
It is hereby provided further that the Borough of Bellefonte and its authorized representatives are hereby authorized to assist Logan Fire Company No. 1 and Undine Fire Company No. 2, in receiving reimbursement for the collection of any amounts due to the Bellefonte Fire Department pursuant to its rendering public services as set forth above; and in particular, for appropriate reimbursement for any extraordinary services, including but not limited to abatement and disposition of hazardous materials, spills or the threat of spills of toxic chemicals, utility line breaks and leakages, or other imminent or received or possible threat to the health, safety or welfare of the Borough residents. This authorization shall include enforcement by the Borough by civil action, for the collection of any amounts due hereunder, including attorney fees or other relief that may be appropriate.