[Amended 5-20-2021 by Ord. No. 2021-05]
[Amended 12-18-2014 by Ord. No. 2014-11]
The Department of the Fire Marshal, Fire Rescue and Emergency
Management shall consist of the Office of the Fire Marshal, the Department
of Fire Rescue, and the Office of Emergency Management.
A.
Office of
the Fire Marshal. The Fire Marshal/Chief/Emergency Management Director
shall oversee the Office of the Fire Marshal. The Office of the Fire
Marshal shall serve to protect life and property through fire safety
inspections and fire safety education, and to determine the origin
and cause of significant and/or suspicious fires.
B.
Department
of Fire Rescue. The Fire Marshal/Chief/Emergency Management Director
shall oversee the Department of Fire Rescue. The Department of Fire
Rescue shall serve to protect life and property by providing fire
and rescue services during hours set forth by the Township administration
to supplement the Township volunteer companies. The Department of
Fire Rescue shall operate as mutual aid support to the fire company
with primary responsibility for the incident location.
C.
Office of
Emergency Management. The Fire Marshal/Chief/Emergency Management
Director shall oversee the Office of Emergency Management. The Office
of Emergency Management shall be responsible for the Township overall
disaster preparedness, response, and recovery. The Office of Emergency
Management shall maintain an emergency operations plan to include
a vulnerability assessment as well as a list of various resources
and contacts that may be needed during a disaster. To support the
emergency operations plan, the Office of Emergency Management shall
maintain an adequate Emergency Operations Center within the municipal
complex. The Office of Emergency Management shall also carry out all
duties and responsibilities as per Pennsylvania Emergency Management
Services Code.
[Amended 12-18-2014 by Ord. No. 2014-11]
A.
The Fire
Marshal/Chief/Emergency Management Director shall be responsible for
day-to-day operations of the Office of the Fire Marshal, the Department
of Fire Rescue, and the Office of Emergency Management as outlined
herein. The Fire Marshal/Chief/Emergency Management Director shall
be responsible to the Township Manager for the performance of the
functions of the Office.
B.
Qualifications.
The minimum acceptable training and experience for the Fire Marshal/Chief/Emergency
Management Director shall be as follows:
(1)
Minimum
10 years of experience as a Fire Officer in a paid or volunteer fire
company/department.
(2)
Minimum
five years of experience in the inspection of buildings for compliance
with fire code regulations.
(3)
Minimum
five years of experience in the investigation of the origin and cause
of fires.
(4)
Knowledge
of fire suppression, rescue, and hazardous materials operations.
(5)
Knowledge
of the International Fire Code and general construction standards.
(6)
Knowledge
of the equipment and construction techniques used to protect buildings
and occupants from fire.
(7)
Ability
to learn, interpret and apply laws, ordinances, and regulations regarding
fire protection standards.
(8)
Ability
to read and interpret construction plans and specifications, and to
recognize deviations from such plans during the construction process.
(9)
Ability
to enforce statutes, ordinances, and regulations firmly, tactfully,
and impartially.
(10)
Ability
to express ideas effectively, orally and in writing.
(11)
Ability
to supervise and direct the work of others during emergency and non-emergency
situations.
(12)
Ability
to maintain records and prepare reports.
(13)
Ability
to recognize violations of code requirements and other hazardous conditions
and to recommend corrective action.
(14)
Knowledge
of generally accepted techniques for handling hazardous materials.
(15)
Ability
to understand and carry out oral and written directions promptly and
efficiently.
(16)
Ability
to maintain cooperative working relationship with those contacted
in the performance of duties, including elected officials, representatives
of the business community, other employees, and residents.
(17)
Ability
to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and
information systems used by the Township.
C.
Duties. The
duties of the Fire Marshal/Chief/Emergency Management Director shall
be:
(1)
Initiates
and administers a fire prevention program for the Township.
(2)
Reviews
applications for fire permits using the appropriate State and local
codes.
(3)
Examines
fire suppression and fire detection installation plans.
(4)
Advises
builders, engineers and architects regarding fire code regulations
and requirements.
(5)
Coordinates
the inspection of building construction and renovation projects to
ensure approved plans are followed regarding fire suppression, fire
alarm and related systems.
(6)
Oversees
the voluntary installation of truss construction markers.
(7)
Administers
the Knox Box Program to Township businesses.
(8)
Develops
and conducts community fire safety education programs as needed.
(9)
Responds
to fires, rescues, hazardous materials incidents, and other emergency
calls as necessary.
(10)
Shall
serve as the Chief of the Township Department of Fire Rescue, supervising
and directing all operations of the Department.
(11)
Creates,
updates, and implements standard operating guidelines based on nationally
recognized best practices for the operation of the Township Department
of Fire Rescue.
(12)
Serves
as the Township Emergency Management Coordinator and assumes all duties
and responsibilities as per Pennsylvania Emergency Management Services
Code.
(13)
Maintains
an Emergency Operations Plan and a functioning Emergency Operations
Center, as per Pennsylvania Emergency Management Services Code.
(14)
Coordinates
and organizes hazardous materials (HazMat) related emergency management
efforts.
(15)
Conducts
emergency management operations and training.
(16)
Investigates
or delegates the investigation into the origin and cause of significant
or suspicious fires and fire related incidents.
(17)
Works
in cooperation with appropriate police authorities into suspected
crimes relating to fire.
(18)
Testifies
in court regarding the origin and cause of fires and fire related
incidents.
(19)
Assigns
and reviews the work of personnel within the Office of the Fire Marshal,
the Department of Fire Rescue, and the Office of Emergency Management.
(20)
Manages
the work operations and/or functional programs and has responsibility
for employee evaluations and for recommending the hiring, firing,
promoting, demoting and/or disciplining of employees within the Office
of the Fire Marshal, the Department of Fire Rescue, and the Office
of Emergency Management.
(21)
Prepares,
maintains, and files written reports and records.
(22)
Meets
with local officials and citizen groups to discuss fire safety, fire
protection and emergency management matters.
(23)
Schedules
and facilitates meetings with Township emergency services as needed.
(24)
Supervises
and maintains records and files related to the Office of the Fire
Marshal, the Department of Fire Rescue, and the Office of Emergency
Management.
(25)
Utilizes
various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information
systems used by the Township.
(26)
Develops
and directs short- and long-range plans, goals, and objectives for
the Office of the Fire Marshal, the Department of Fire Rescue, and
the Office of Emergency Management.
(27)
Plans
for availability and efficient utilization of human resources within
the Office of the Fire Marshal, the Department of Fire Rescue, and
the Office of Emergency Management.
(28)
Creates
specifications for equipment, supplies, and vehicle purchases.
(29)
Maintains
personnel files on all members regarding certifications, awards, discipline,
etc.
(30)
Prepares
the annual operating budget, capital budget and controls expenditures
of budgeted funds for the Office of the Fire Marshal, the Department
of Fire Rescue, and the Office of Emergency Management.
(31)
Prepares
annual report of departmental activities for the Office of the Fire
Marshal, the Department of Fire Rescue, and the Office of Emergency
Management.
(32)
Prepares
and submits grants on behalf of the Office of the Fire Marshal, the
Department of Fire Rescue, and the Office of Emergency Management.
(33)
Coordinates
the Premise Fire Warning Program with the Bucks County 9-1-1 Communications
Center regarding known handicapped residents.
(34)
Cooperates
with volunteer fire companies, rescue and ambulance services, the
Police Department and others, where appropriate, concerning matters
of fire safety.
(35)
Coordinates
the volunteer fire company operations and activities and the volunteer
ambulance services.
(36)
Cooperates
with the public and media for improved relations in the Township.
