Township of Hanover, PA Fire Marshal

The Offices of Fire Marshal and Deputy Fire Marshal are hereby created in Hanover Township, Northampton County ("Township"); such officers to be appointed by and report to the Board of Supervisors of the Township ("Board").

A.

The person(s) appointed to the office of Fire Marshal or Deputy Fire Marshal shall be qualified by having proper training and experience. Such experience may include prior experience as a police officer with completion of PA Act 120[1] municipal training; prior experience as a firefighter who has held an officer's rank of lieutenant or higher; completion of the training deemed appropriate for arson investigation and/or safety inspections; or other qualifications and/or experience deemed sufficient by the Board. The person(s) appointed to the office of Fire Marshal and/or Deputy Fire Marshal shall be appointed as soon as practicable after the adoption of this chapter and shall serve at the pleasure of the Board. If for any reason the office of Fire Marshal is not separately filled by appointment of, and with the approval and consent of the Board, any duly appointed Deputy Fire Marshal shall perform the duties of the Fire Marshal until the office of Fire Marshal is filled. If the offices of both Fire Marshal and Deputy Fire Marshal are not filled, the Fire Chief of the Hanover Township Volunteer Fire Company shall be deemed the ex officio Fire Marshal and shall have all the powers and duties hereinafter given to or imposed upon the Fire Marshal. The Fire Marshal shall perform all duties and shall have and exercise all powers prescribed by law. These duties and responsibilities shall include, but not necessarily be limited to, the following:

(1)

Maintain liaison with and keep the Board informed of the capabilities and needs of all fire companies serving the Township and serving as liaison between local, state and federal emergency services departments, personnel and/or officials and the Township;

(2)

Initiate, with the appropriate law enforcement officials, investigate and take appropriate action on any suspicious fires where criminal activity may reasonably by suspected, and submit written reports on same to the Colonial Regional Police Department and Board in a timely fashion;

(3)

Maintain records of fire alarms, EMS and fire calls, organized by type and location, and submit to the Board a quarterly report on all property fires, investigations, inspections and other activities;

(4)

Assist the Township Building Inspector, when requested by such officer, in inspections for violations of regulations where fire safety or fire prevention matters are involved;

(5)

Inspect for, investigate, and enforce violations of the ordinances of the Township and/or any Fire Code adopted by the Township;

(6)

Monitor and inspect Township traffic light preemption devices, fire hydrants, fire lanes, fire hazards and other fire-related devices or conditions;

(7)

Monitor drought conditions to determine if water and/or burning restrictions are warranted;

(8)

Ensure proper training for the Deputy Fire Marshal and/or such other assistants to the Fire Marshal as the Board may authorize;

(9)

Submit reports to the Board on Township conditions or occurrences related to fire safety;

(10)

Respond and assist the fire department and emergency services personnel on scene of fire alarms, EMS and fire calls; and

(11)

Perform such other public safety duties as may be assigned to the Fire Marshal by the Board.

[1]

Editor's Note: Said Act was repealed 12-19-1996 by P.L. 1158, No. 177; see now 53 Pa.C.S.A. § 2161 et seq.

B.

The Deputy Fire Marshal shall report to and assist the Fire Marshal with the above duties and shall perform the duties of the Fire Marshal in the Fire Marshal's absence.

Any person who shall violate any provision of this chapter or shall interfere with and/or prevent the Fire Marshal from performing his duties set forth herein, upon conviction thereof in an action brought before a Magisterial District Judge, shall be subject to a fine not more than $1,000 for each violation of this chapter.