[Amended 10-22-2019 by Ord. No. 918]
There is hereby established and reestablished
as an administrative division of the Borough of Columbia a department
known as the "Columbia Borough Fire Department ." The purpose of such
Department shall be to provide services for the Borough and its residents
as follows:
A.
Emergency response services, including, but not limited
to, the control, suppression and extinguishment of fires, search and
rescue for persons necessitated by man-made or natural disaster accidents,
the isolation and cleanup of hazardous materials and substances, rendering
of assistance to other emergency services and generally to provide
for the protection and safety of persons and property within the Borough.
B.
Nonemergency public services to or for the use of
persons and property within the Borough.
C.
Conduct of and participation in training activities
and drills, whether inside or outside of the Borough, as may be deemed
necessary or desirable for maintaining proficiency and providing fire
protection and emergency public response services.
D.
Response to emergency calls outside the boundaries
of the Borough but within a reasonable service area of the Columbia
Borough Fire Department responding, or response to or for any municipality
which has entered into a mutual aid agreement with the Borough.
[Amended 3-13-2000 by Ord. No. 690; 10-22-2019 by Ord.
No. 918]
The Columbia Borough Fire Department shall be
composed of the following designated personnel, who shall have the
duties, authorities, and responsibilities specified in this article:
[Amended 6-11-2001 by Ord. No. 704; 12-11-2017 by Ord.
No. 891]
Fire protection within the Borough of Columbia was provided
for many years by five Columbia Borough Fire Department . In 2001,
three of the five companies consolidated, leaving three Columbia Borough
Fire Department serving the Borough of Columbia: Columbia Consolidated
Fire Department, Columbia No. 1 Fire Department, and Susquehanna Fire
and Rescue No. 4. Two of those three fire companies subsequently consolidated
into one Fire Company known as "Columbia Borough Fire Department,"
while Columbia Consolidated Fire Department was removed from service,
thereby leaving one Columbia Borough Fire Department serving the Borough
of Columbia. The Borough, in recognition of the services provided,
has for many years contributed financial support to the Columbia Borough
Fire Department and is, by adoption of this article, officially recognizing
it as the Columbia Borough Fire Department of the Borough. Such recognition
has the effect of extending to the Columbia Borough Fire Department
certain rights and immunities enjoyed by municipalities and also provides
assurance that members of the Columbia Borough Fire Department injured
while engaged in authorized activities are covered by workers'
compensation insurance.
[Amended 6-11-2001 by Ord. No. 704; 12-11-2017 by Ord.
No. 891]
Columbia Borough Fire Department is hereby recognized by the Borough as the Columbia Borough Fire Department which has been organized by residents of said Borough and is hereby designated by the Borough as the officially recognized fire company in and for the Borough of Columbia. No other organization is dedicated to the fighting of fires or authorized to operate within the Borough of Columbia except for those acting under a mutual aid or other agreement approved by Columbia Borough Council. Columbia Borough Council may, by resolution from time to time, recognize additional fire companies and designate them as part of the Columbia Borough Fire Company to operate in accordance with the terms of Chapter 24 of the Code of the Borough of Columbia. Upon adoption of any such resolution, all such fire companies shall be authorized to perform the services set forth in Chapter 24 and shall be entitled to the rights and subject to the obligations set forth in such chapter.
