[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Supervisors
of the Township of Montgomery 12-16-2002 by Ord. No. 02-163[1]. Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Civil defense — See Ch. 8.
Pensions — See Ch. 32.
Building construction and fire prevention — See Ch. 69.
Taxation — See Ch. 209.
[1]
Editor's Note: This ordinance also repealed
former Ch. 17, Fire Department, which consisted of Art. I, Colmar
Volunteer Fire Company, adopted 12-27-1982 by Ord. No. 81; and Art.
II, Firemen's Cooperative Insurance Agreement, adopted 1-16-1984 by
Ord. No. 85.
The Fire Department of Montgomery Township,
chartered as a nonprofit fire company and duly existing under the
laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, is hereby designated and
specified as the official fire company of and for Montgomery Township,
Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, with the responsibilities for fire
protection, fire fighting, fire prevention, and related activities
for and within the boundary lines and limits of the Township of Montgomery.
[Added 1-6-2003 by Ord. No. 02-165]
The Montgomery Township Department of Fire (the
"Department") shall consist of such fire companies as the Board of
Supervisors may, from time to time, by ordinance or resolution, receive
into the Department; the Fire Marshal; Deputy Fire Marshals; volunteer
fire fighters; full-time and part-time fire fighters employed by Montgomery
Township; the Director of Fire Services; the Director of Emergency
Services; and such other full-time or part-time Township employees
who may be assigned to fire-fighting duties as a secondary responsibility.
[Added 1-6-2003 by Ord. No. 02-165; amended 1-24-2022 by Ord. No. 22-327]
A.
There shall be a Township Fire Chief (the "Fire Chief')
who will be employed by the Township and appointed by the Board of
Supervisors.
B.
The Fire Chief shall answer to the Township Manager
for the efficient and effective operation of the Department, which
includes the Fire Marshal, Deputy Fire Marshals, fire fighters employed
by the Township, volunteer fire fighters, and the Emergency Management
Coordinator.
C.
The Fire Chief shall be responsible for the following:
(1)
Directing
and coordinating the provision of Firefighting, Fire Protection, Fire
Marshal services, and emergency management activities to the Township;
(2)
Developing
and enforcing standard operating guidelines based on recognized procedures
and practices in the fire services field;
(3)
Coordinating
the resources necessary to control large-scale and complex emergencies,
when such action is necessary to protect life and/or property;
(4)
Such
other duties which may be assigned from time to time by the Township
Manager.
D.
The Fire Chief, in consultation with the Incident
Commander or Deputy Fire Chief, shall have the authority to initiate
evacuations and exclude the public from the immediate vicinity of
an emergency or place of danger.
E.
The Fire Chief shall have the authority to suspend
from the Department without pay for a period of up to three work days,
any firefighter employed by the Township who violates the recognized
procedures and practices or other rules of the Department. Prior to
imposing any such suspension, the Fire Chief shall report the cause
and circumstances of the action to the Township Manager. The Fire
Chief may temporarily suspend with pay and without prior notice to
the Township Manager, any firefighter employed by the Township if
the Fire Chief believes it is necessary for the good of the Township.
The Fire Chief shall notify the Township Manager of any temporary
suspension within 24 hours of the suspension. Firefighters employed
by the Township may appeal disciplinary actions in accordance with
the terms of any applicable collective bargaining agreement.
F.
When provided for in the bylaws of a volunteer fire
company servicing the Township, the Fire Chief shall also be available
for nonbinding consultation with fire company leadership on matters
involving the discipline of volunteer firefighters, including but
not limited to suspension and expulsion from membership of the fire
company.
[Added 1-6-2003 by Ord. No. 02-165]
A.
Real estate tax millage, particularly identified for
fire services purposes, shall be utilized by the Township for the
costs associated with the functioning of the Department and for acquisition
and maintenance of equipment and real property necessary for the provision
of fire services in the Township.
B.
A budget shall be prepared annually by the Director
of Fire Services in cooperation with the members of the Department
(which includes volunteer fire-fighting companies) and such budget
shall be submitted to the Board of Supervisors for its review and
approval.
C.
At least annually, or more frequently as required
by the Director, the Township Manager or the Board of Supervisors,
the fire company or companies participating in the Department shall
submit a report of operating and financial activities for the preceding
calendar year, the current year and future years.
D.
All monies received by the Township under the Foreign Fire Insurance Tax Distribution Law shall be distributed as required by state statute and shall be expended in accordance with the approved budget referred to in Subsection B.
E.
Training requirements and schedules of training shall
be formulated in cooperation between the members of the Department
and the Director.
F.
Financial and operational, books, records, and reports
of any volunteer fire company or companies participating in the Department
shall be available at the firehouse for inspection by the Township
at any time.
