Fairview Township hereby recognizes the Fairview Township Volunteer Fire Company, Inc., which has been organized by the residents of said Fairview Township. No other organizations dedicated to the fighting of fires are authorized to operate within Fairview Township except for those acting under a mutual aid or other agreement approved by the Board of Supervisors.
[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Supervisors of the Township of Fairview 11-9-1993 by Ord. No. 93-3 (Ch. 7, Part 4, of the 1991 Code of Ordinances). Amendments noted where applicable.]
The Fairview Township Volunteer Fire Company, Inc., is hereby given all power, so far as Fairview Township has power to grant the same, to enact such rules and regulations for the management and government of individual members thereof as shall be necessary for the proper maintenance and control of said Volunteer Fire Company, Inc., as an agent, Department, or employee of Fairview Township except insofar as such effect is known as the "Pennsylvania Workmen's Compensation Act,"[1] or the Act of November 26, 1978, P.L. 1399, No. 330, known as the "Political Subdivision Tort Claims Act."[2]
The members of Fairview Township Volunteer Fire Company, Inc., may elect from their number such officers as may be provided by the bylaws of the Fire Company.
All appropriations made by Fairview Township to or for the use of said Fire Company shall continue to be the property of Fairview Township. None of the fire apparatus or equipment so belonging to Fairview Township shall be permanently removed from Fairview Township without consent of the Board of Supervisors thereof.
[Added 7-26-1999 by Ord. No. 99-7]
The Fairview Township Volunteer Fire Company, Inc., is hereby authorized to obtain reimbursement and recovery of response costs to a hazardous material incident or such other emergency where the response was necessary or appropriate under the circumstances.
A.
The Fairview Township Volunteer Fire Company, Inc., is hereby authorized to recover response costs as set forth below, including reasonable costs incurred in responding to fires, explosions or the threats of such incidents; vehicular accidents or the threat of such accidents; utility service problems including, but not limited to, gas leaks involving leaks of natural gas or propane, downed electrical wires or telephone wires, water main breaks or leaks, sewer back-ups, or other disruption or threatened disruption of utility service which does or may affect the public health, safety or welfare; or to any safety or rescue incident or operation including, but not limited to, entrapment, water rescue, building collapse or public disturbance.
B.
The Fairview Township Volunteer Fire Company, Inc., is hereby authorized to recover response costs associated with a response to a release of a hazardous material, as defined in the Hazardous Material Emergency Planning and Response Act.[1] Such right of reimbursement or recovery of response costs shall be in accordance with the Hazardous Material Emergency Planning and Response Act, in addition to any other applicable federal, state or Township laws or ordinances.
[1]
Editor's Note: See 35 P.S. § 6022.101 et seq.
C.
The term "response costs," which are recoverable under this section, include but are not limited to the following:
(1)
Disposable materials and supplies acquired, consumed and expended specifically for the purpose of the response.
(2)
The rental or leasing or use of equipment use specifically for the response including, but not limited to, protective equipment or clothing, scientific or technical equipment and earthmoving or construction equipment such as plows, graders, cranes and firefighting apparatus.
(3)
Replacement costs for equipment that is contaminated or damaged beyond reuse or repair during the response.
(4)
Costs of repair, cleaning or decontamination of equipment which was damaged, soiled or contaminated during the response.
(5)
Compensation of paid employees or members of the response team or supporting paid or volunteer emergency service personnel, to include regular and overtime pay for permanent full-time and other than full-time employees or members.
(6)
Costs for special technical services specifically required for the response including, but not limited to, costs associated for the time and efforts of technical experts or specialists.
(7)
Laboratory and testing costs for purposes of analyzing samples or specimens taken during the response.
(8)
Other special service costs required for the response, including but not limited to utility costs, telephone service, telecommunication service and medical service.
(9)
Costs associated with the services, supplies and equipment used to conduct an evacuation during a response.
(10)
Costs associated with the removal and disposal of materials, debris, hazardous materials, vehicles or other substances during or after the response.
D.
The authority of the Fairview Township Volunteer Fire Company to receive reimbursement or recovery of response costs under this section is in addition to the authority to reimbursement or recovery of such costs at law or in equity, and the authority granted under this section shall not restrict the authority of the Fairview Township Volunteer Fire Company to obtain reimbursement through any other means permitted at law or in equity.
[Added 9-30-2024 by Ord. No. 2024-1]
The office of Township Fire Chief is hereby created. The Board of Supervisors shall have the authority to appoint and hire a Township Fire Chief to manage and oversee fire protection operations and services within Fairview Township. The Fire Chief shall serve at the pleasure of the Board of Supervisors and shall report to the Township Manager. The duties of the Township Fire Chief shall include the following duties:
A.
General duties:
(1)
Develop and recommend Standard Operating Guidelines (SOGs), Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), General and Special Orders, Personnel Orders, rules, regulations, procedures, and practices for fire operations within the Township; and enforces the same when adopted.
(2)
Deal with contentious issues in a timely manner that reflects and supports the Township's management philosophy and decisions.
(3)
Communicate and collaborate with the Board of Supervisors, Township Manager and other Township staff, as well as the officers and members of the Fairview Township Volunteer Fire Company to develop innovative solutions that support and promote a high-performance organization to provide fire protection services within the Township.
(4)
Support and encourage ongoing employee and volunteer professional development through internal and external education and training to improve member performance and service to the community.
(5)
Develop a management team that supports the goals and objectives of an all-hazards full-service fire rescue division.
(6)
Maintain proficient knowledge of and clear interpretations of all applicable laws, ordinances, and codes relating to fire protection services.
(7)
Attend Township Board of Supervisor meetings at the request of the Township Manager and take necessary action regarding agenda items.
B.
Staff management and development duties:
(1)
Demonstrates a long-term perspective through coaching and development of employees to meet succession management goals.
(2)
Supervise personnel and take necessary and appropriate actions to ensure proper personnel administration throughout the fire protection organizations by coaching, mentoring, leading, and counseling to create an environment of minimal interpersonal conflict.
(3)
Supervise personnel, which includes, but is not limited to, making disciplinary recommendations and timesheets. Participate in investigating and implementing disciplinary actions approved and as set by policy.
(4)
Provide effective oversight and leadership, to plan, assign, and efficiently direct the work of subordinates, divisions, and programs in a manner conducive to full performance and high morale.
(5)
Direct allocation of manpower and equipment for maximum effectiveness.
(6)
Provide for and oversee a comprehensive program for division selection, hiring, onboarding, and training of new personnel (volunteer and part-time), and the promotion of those personnel.
(7)
Oversee recruitment and retention activities of the volunteer fire company in the Township.
(8)
Oversee development and administration of a comprehensive training program for all volunteer and full/part-time personnel.
(9)
Determine and ensure all personnel and volunteers are qualified to perform assigned duties and responsibilities.
(10)
Keep informed as to personnel, property, and operations by observation, reports and management input and acts on such information to improve operations.
(11)
Communicate effectively with divisional staff, other Township employees, other emergency service members, the general public, members of civic organizations, or other agencies.
C.
Operational management duties:
(1)
Provide day-to-day managerial decisions on problems and issues that arise, ensures cost-effective and sustainable operations, and divisional operations with respect to Township-owned facilities, vehicles, equipment, apparatus, and personnel.
(2)
Participate in the preparation of specifications for new equipment, stations, and other facilities, and equipment.
(3)
Demonstrate extensive knowledge of the principles, practices, and techniques of modern fire suppression, prevention, and emergency medical response, and ability to apply this knowledge to varied fire control, prevention, EMS, and administrative problems.
(4)
Prepare reports and implement work programs.
(5)
Supervise both short-range and long-range implementation of plans.
(6)
Prepare recommendations and studies for administrative and Board of Supervisors consideration.
(7)
Oversee direction of the comprehensive program of fire prevention including inspection (Fire and Property Maintenance) of various types of structures within the community and conduct of fire and life safety education programs.
(8)
Respond to and is authorized to take command of emergency incidents and personally directs emergency activities through subordinate officers.
(9)
Direct related administrative activities including division and department budget preparation and execution, purchasing, personnel selection, reports, employee training, and correspondence in the administration of projects.
(10)
Direct all division planning activities (both short-range and long-range); prepare and implement comprehensive plans and planning policies.
(11)
Review plans, technical reports, budget estimates, and proposed ordinances and regulations under the purview of the Division of Fire Rescue Services.
(12)
Purchase and approve approved purchases of materials, supplies, and equipment.
(13)
Maintain and improve Fire and EMS incident response to fulfill safe community strategic objectives.
(14)
Study community hazards and risks, develop performance goals, and recommend response deployment plans (Box Cards) to ensure a safe and effective force for fire suppression, rescue services, and specialty response situations.
(15)
Study the effectiveness of Township fire resources, staffing, operational response systems, and automatic/mutual aid resources and provides reports as needed.
(16)
Develops, recommends, implements, monitors, and evaluates plans for providing consistent, competent, and professional emergency services to the Township.
D.
Administrative management duties:
(1)
Preparation of the fire protection services budget, the procurement of materials, supplies, and equipment, and the maintenance of the necessary records.
(2)
Prepare and ensure the communication of special orders, instructions, notices, administrative memoranda, and other forms of communication to the division personnel.
(3)
Attend meetings/events/training, as needed, to keep abreast of the latest developments in firefighting methods and administration, coordinate mutual aid plans, coordinate and expand training programs, and exchange of ideas.
(4)
Attend, as needed, the regular evening Township Board meetings and study sessions; may attend evening or weekend community events.
(5)
Address citizen groups and businesses regarding the fire protection activities and to explain and promote public understanding of the same.
(6)
Accountable for all duties of this job, and other projects and responsibilities as may be added at the Township's discretion.
(7)
Embrace and utilize the principles and practices of community risk reduction.
(8)
Embrace and utilize of the concepts associated with accreditation as prescribed by the Center for Public Safety Excellence.