[HISTORY: Adopted by the Borough Council of the Borough of Crafton
at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I). Amendments
noted where applicable.]
Fire protection for the Borough of Crafton shall be provided by the
Crafton Volunteer Fire Department (the “Fire Department” or “Department”),
a nonprofit corporation organized under the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania,
which is hereby designated as the official fire protection agency for the
Borough of Crafton. The Borough shall provide the Fire Department with the
necessary funding to ensure the safe and orderly operations of the Fire Department.
A.
Appointment. The Chief of the Fire Department (the “Fire
Chief’) shall be elected by the Fire Department and approved by the
Borough Council and shall continue in his/her office for a term of two years,
but may be suspended or removed by the Council for inattention or neglect
of duty or for other proper causes. The Fire Department shall have only one
Fire Chief.
B.
Qualifications. Any person elected to the office of Fire
Chief shall, at the time of such election, meet the following minimum qualifications:
(2)
He/she shall have had not less than 10 years fire-fighting
experience, excluding time spent as a junior fire fighter, at least five years
of which shall have been as an active member of the Department;
(3)
He/she shall have completed not less than 300 hours of
fire-fighting training approved by the Pennsylvania State Fire Academy, or
equivalent training as determined by the Fire Chief then in office; and
(4)
He/she shall submit to a criminal history background
review with results to be in accord with standards established by Act 33/34
of 1985, as amended.
A.
The Fire Chief shall have sole command and control over
all officers and members of the Fire Department at all times, and over all
persons who may be present at the scene of a fire and/or an alarm.
B.
The Fire Chief shall take proper measures for the prevention
and extinguishing of fires, for the protection of life and property, for the
preservation of order, and for the observance of Borough ordinances, the parliamentary
bylaws and the standard operating procedures of the Fire Department.
C.
The Fire Chief shall have full power to remove any officer
of the Fire Department from his/her office permanently, and suspend any member
of the Fire Department from membership in said Department. Any member so suspended
shall have the right to appeal in the manner established under the parliamentary
bylaws of the Department.
D.
The Fire Chief shall report to the Borough Council any
property, building, condition or practice which is not in accordance with
the ordinary provisions for fire prevention or protection.
E.
The Fire Chief shall submit a preliminary budget for
the Fire Department to Borough Council prior to October 1 of each calendar
year.
Upon an alarm of fire, the Fire Chief shall become the supreme police
officer of the Borough for the subject scene of a fire and/or alarm, and shall
continue in such capacity until the fire is extinguished and/or the alarm
is cancelled. It shall be the duty of the police officer(s) of the Borough
on duty to immediately report, by radio or in person, to the Fire Chief or
other officer or member of the Fire Department in charge at the scene of a
fire and/or alarm and to act under his/her direction. The said police officers
shall not absent themselves temporarily nor permanently from the scene of
a fire and/or alarm without permission from the Fire Chief or other office
or member of the Fire Department acting in the Fire Chief's absence.
A.
The Fire Chief of the Fire Department shall have charge
of all fire apparatus and fire equipment of the Borough, and shall examine
into its condition and report said condition to Council annually or when so
directed by Council.
B.
Within 30 days after assuming office, the Fire Chief
of the Fire Department shall file with the Borough Manager an itemized list
of all fire apparatus and equipment coming into his/her control and possession.
The Fire Chief shall see that such equipment is kept in good repair and at
the expiration of his/her term of office by lapse of time, removal or otherwise,
shall turn over to his/her successor said property and equipment and secure
a receipt for the same. A copy of this receipt shall be filed with the Borough
Manager within 10 days of issuance.
The Fire Chief shall adopt such rules and regulations as he/she may
deem necessary and proper for the government of the Fire Department. These
rules and regulations shall be known as the standard operating procedures
of the Fire Department (the “standard operating procedures”) and
shall not conflict with the regulations of this chapter or the parliamentary
bylaws of the Fire Department. Any such regulations adopted by the Fire Chief
pursuant to this section shall become effective within 30 days after submission
to the Borough Council, unless the regulations are disapproved by Council
within the said thirty-day period.
Supplies for the use of the Fire Department may be obtained only upon
order of the Fire Chief. Bills to be paid by the Borough shall be certified
by the Fire Chief to the Borough Council for payment, but any such bills of
a greater amount than $100 in any one month shall not be contracted by the
Fire Chief without the consent of the Public Safety Committee of Council.
This section shall not apply to expenditures of funds of the parliamentary
organization of the Fire Department.
A.
The Fire Chief shall have the power to appoint the following
Department officers to such terms of office as established under the parliamentary
bylaws of the Department: Assistant Chief(s), Captain(s) and Lieutenant(s).
The number of officers for each position shall be at the discretion of the
Fire Chief.
B.
The Assistant Chief(s) of the Fire Department shall,
under the supervision of the Fire Chief and in accordance with the parliamentary
bylaws of the Department and the standard operating procedures, exercise general
command over all officers, members, fire apparatus and equipment of the Fire
Department. In the absence or incapacitation of the Fire Chief, the Assistant
Chief(s) shall assume all powers and duties of the Fire Chief.
C.
The Captain(s) shall, under the supervision of the Fire
Chief and Assistant Chief(s), and in accordance with the parliamentary bylaws
of the Department and the standard operating procedures, have command of all
officers and members as organized and directed by the Fire Chief in order
of their rank as established by the Fire Chief. He/she shall see that the
fire apparatus and equipment under his/her command are kept in good order,
preserve order and discipline therein, and perform such other duties as the
Fire Chief and/or Assistant Chief(s) may direct.
D.
The Lieutenant(s), in order of his/her rank as established
by the Fire Chief, shall assist the Captain(s) in his/her/their duties and
take command in his/her/their absence in accordance with the parliamentary
bylaws of the Department and the standard operating procedures. The Lieutenant(s)
shall perform such other duties as the Fire Chief, Assistant Chief(s) and/or
Captain(s) may direct.
Except as provided for in § 17-12 of this chapter, any person appointed to the office of Assistant Chief shall, at the time of such appointment, meet the following minimum qualifications:
B.
He/she shall have had not less than 10 years fire-fighting
experience, excluding time spent as a junior fire fighter, at least five years
of which shall have been as an active member of the Department;
C.
He/she shall have completed not less than 300 hours of
fire-fighting training approved by the Pennsylvania State Fire Academy, or
equivalent training as determined by the Fire Chief then in office; and
D.
He/she shall submit to a criminal history background
review with results to be in accord with standards established by Act 33/34
of 1985, as amended.
Except as provided for in § 17-12 of this chapter, any person appointed to the office of Captain shall, at the time of such appointment, meet the following minimum qualifications:
B.
He/she shall have had not less than six years fire-fighting
experience, including time spent as a junior fire fighter, at least three
years of which shall have been as a member of the Fire Department;
C.
He/she shall have completed not less than 200 hours of
fire-fighting training approved by the Pennsylvania State Fire Academy, or
equivalent training as determined by the Fire Chief then in office; and
D.
He/she shall submit to a criminal history background
review with results to be in accord with standards established by Act 33/34
of 1985, as amended.
Except as provided for in § 17-12 of this chapter, any person appointed to the office of Lieutenant shall, at the time of such appointment, meet the following minimum qualifications:
B.
He/she shall have had not less than three years fire-fighting
experience, excluding time spent as a junior fire fighter, at least two years
of which shall have been as a member of the Fire Department;
C.
He/she shall have completed not less than 150 hours of
fire-fighting training approved by the Pennsylvania State Fire Academy, or
equivalent training as determined by the Fire Chief then in office; and
D.
He/she shall submit to a criminal history background
review with results to be in accord with standards established by Act 33/34
of 1985, as amended.
Any active member of the Fire Department who, as of September 1, 2003,
held, or previously held, the office of Fire Chief, Assistant Chief, Captain,
or Lieutenant shall be deemed eligible to hold such of these offices as he/she
held, or previously held, and any office of lower rank than the currently
or formerly held by him/her, provided that he/she shall be an active member
of the Department and submit to a criminal history background review with
results to be in accord with standards established by Act 33/34 of 1985, as
amended.
In the event that no member meeting the qualifications for the office of Fire Chief, Assistant Chief, Captain or Lieutenant as listed in §§ 17-2B, 17-9, 17-10 and/or 17-11 of this chapter is willing to accept appointment or election to such an office, then an active member residing outside the Borough may be appointed or elected to such office, provided that he/she meets all of the other qualifications of the respective office.
The Fire Chief, Assistant Chief(s), Captain(s), Lieutenant(s) and all
new active members, before entering upon their duties, shall subscribe an
oath or affirmation before the Mayor, or other official authorized by law
to administer oaths, that they and each of them will observe the laws of the
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the ordinances of the Borough of Crafton relating
to their offices, the parliamentary bylaws adopted by the Department, and
the standard operating procedures, and do and perform all the duties of their
offices faithfully and to the best of their ability. Said oath shall be administered
to the aforementioned officers and members prior to the commencement of their
terms or membership, respectively.
The membership of the Fire Department of the Borough shall consist of:
A.
Active members: shall be at least 18 years of age, and
must be a citizen of the United States. Active members shall also satisfy
all other qualifications and requirements of the parliamentary bylaws of the
Department.
B.
Probationary members: shall be at least 18 years of age,
and shall serve as such at least one year before being eligible to become
active members. Probationary members shall also satisfy all other qualifications
and requirements of the parliamentary bylaws of the Department.
C.
Life members: shall satisfy all qualifications and requirements
of the parliamentary bylaws of the Department.
D.
Honorary members: shall satisfy all qualifications and
requirements of the parliamentary bylaws of the Department.
E.
Limited Borough employee membership: shall be limited
to individuals employed by the Borough but residing outside of the Borough
in accordance with the membership limitations, qualifications and requirements
of the parliamentary bylaws of the Department.
F.
Professional members: shall satisfy all qualifications
and requirements of the parliamentary bylaws of the Department.
G.
Junior members: shall be at least 16 years of age, must
be a citizen of the United States, and shall not be eligible for active membership
until he or she reaches 18 years of age. In order for junior members to become
active members they shall satisfy all qualifications and requirements of the
parliamentary bylaws of the Department. Junior members shall be subject to
all laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania governing junior fire fighters.
Junior members shall not be eligible to hold any office in the Department.
The combined total of probationary and junior members of the Department
shall not exceed 1/2 the number of active members of the Department.
A.
It shall be the duty of all officers and all members
of the Fire Department, whenever an alarm is sounded, to report to the fire
station promptly and thence with the fire apparatus and equipment to the scene
of the alarm in accordance with the standard operating procedures.
B.
A member of the Fire Department shall not under any circumstances
whatsoever discontinue his/her duties nor leave the scene of an alarm without
permission of the Fire Chief or other officer or member acting for the Fire
Chief. Junior members shall respond as above but in accordance with the provisions
of the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania governing the activities of
junior fire fighters.
A.
Any person, firm or corporation who shall deface or destroy any
property of the Fire Department, or who shall hinder, obstruct or prevent
in any manner the Department or member thereof from freely passing along the
streets or property of the Borough to or from an alarm or practice, or any
member of the same from operating at an alarm or practice, or who shall refuse
to obey or willfully violate the instructions of the Fire Chief or other officer
or member of the Fire Department in command at an alarm, or who otherwise
violates a provision of this section, or who fails to comply therewith, or
with any of the requirements thereof, shall be, upon conviction thereof, sentenced
to pay a fine of not less than $100 nor more than $600 for each violation,
plus costs, and, in default of payment of said fine and costs, to imprisonment
to the extent permitted by law for the punishment of summary offenses.
B.
A separate offense shall arise for each day or portion thereof
in which a violation is found to exist or for each provision of this section
found to have been violated. All fines and penalties for the violation of
this section shall be paid to the Borough Treasurer.
C.
The Borough may also commence appropriate actions in equity,
at law or other to prevent, restrain, correct, enjoin, or abate violations
of this section.
A.
No person or persons shall have the authority to send in a second
or greater alarm in the Borough, nor to send nor call for assistance from
outside the Borough limits, except the Fire Chief or other officer or member
of the Fire Department in charge at an alarm. Any person, firm or corporation
who violates a provision of this section, or who fails to comply therewith,
or with any of the requirements thereof, shall be, upon conviction thereof,
sentenced to pay a fine of not less than $100 nor more than $600 for each
violation, plus costs, and, in default of payment of said fine and costs,
to imprisonment to the extent permitted by law for the punishment of summary
offenses.
B.
A separate offense shall arise for each day or portion thereof
in which a violation is found to exist or for each provision of this section
found to have been violated. All fines and penalties for the violation of
this section shall be paid to the Borough Treasurer.
C.
The Borough may also commence appropriate actions in equity,
at law or other to prevent, restrain, correct, enjoin, or abate violations
of this section.
A.
Any person or persons not authorized by the parliamentary bylaws
of the Fire Department and the standard operating procedures who shall have
in his/her possession, or make or cause to be made, any key or keys for the
fire station of the Department, or use or cause the same to be used, without
the consent of the Fire Chief or other proper officer of the Fire Department, or
who otherwise violates a provision of this section, or who fails to comply
therewith, or with any of the requirements thereof, shall be, upon conviction
thereof, sentenced to pay a fine of not less than $100 nor more than $600
for each violation, plus costs, and, in default of payment of said fine and
costs, to imprisonment to the extent permitted by law for the punishment of
summary offenses.
B.
A separate offense shall arise for each day or portion thereof
in which a violation is found to exist or for each provision of this section found to have been violated. All
fines and penalties for the violation of this section shall be paid to the
Borough Treasurer.
C.
The Borough may also commence appropriate actions in equity,
at law or other to prevent, restrain, correct, enjoin, or abate violations
of this section.
A.
No person or persons not connected with the Fire Department shall
have authority nor power to enter in any manner any fire station of the Fire
Department and use or cause to be used, or remove or cause to be removed,
any fire apparatus or equipment, or portion thereof, without the consent of
the Fire Chief. Any person, firm or corporation who violates a provision of
this section, or who fails to comply therewith, or with any of the requirements
thereof, shall be, upon conviction thereof, sentenced to pay a fine of not
less than $100 nor more than $600 for each violation, plus costs, and, in
default of payment of said fine and costs, to imprisonment to the extent permitted
by law for the punishment of summary offenses.
B.
A separate offense shall arise for each day or portion thereof
in which a violation is found to exist or for each provision of this section
found to have been violated. All fines and penalties for the violation of
this section shall be paid to the Borough Treasurer.
C.
The Borough may also commence appropriate actions in equity,
at law or other to prevent, restrain, correct, enjoin, or abate violations
of this section.
The fire station of the Department shall be, in addition to its use
as a fire house, for the exclusive use of the Fire Department, and the Department
may make such house rules as it may deem necessary for the proper government
of its members. No fire station or part thereof may be occupied or used temporarily
nor permanently for any other purpose, except by permission of the regularly
elected officers of the Department and the Fire Chief of the Fire Department.
If the Fire Department shall fail to take proper care of the property
of the Fire Department and Borough, or neglect to preserve discipline and
good order, or shall fail to perform the services at alarms or practices as
required by the Fire Chief, the Borough Council shall, if it deems expedient,
discharge any or all members of the Department from the service of the Borough.
A.
The Fire Chief, Assistant Chief(s), Captain(s), Lieutenant(s)
and all other officers and members of the Fire Department shall, at the expiration
of their office or membership, turn over to the said Fire Department or Borough,
or to their successor(s) in office, all property of the Fire Department or
Borough which they may have in their possession or control. Any person, firm
or corporation who violates a provision of this section, or who fails to comply
therewith, or with any of the requirements thereof, shall be, upon conviction
thereof, sentenced to pay a fine of not less than $100 nor more than $600
for each violation, plus costs, and, in default of payment of said fine and
costs, to imprisonment to the extent permitted by law for the punishment of
summary offenses.
B.
A separate offense shall arise for each day or portion thereof
in which a violation is found to exist or for each provision of this section
found to have been violated. All fines and penalties for the violation of
this section shall be paid to the Borough Treasurer.
C.
The Borough may also commence appropriate actions in equity,
at law or other to prevent, restrain, correct, enjoin, or abate violations
of this section.
A.
The Fire Department may adopt a dress uniform, and for the protection
of said uniform may adopt such rules regulating the use and time of wearing
same as may be deemed advisable. Any member of the Department using or wearing,
or causing to be used or worn, at any time contrary to the regulations adopted,
unless by permission or direction of the Fire Chief or other proper officer
of the Department, or who shall when wearing said uniform, be guilty of conduct
reflecting adversely upon the honor of the Fire Department, shall be subject
to such disciplinary action by the Fire Chief as may be deemed advisable.
Said uniform shall be the property of the Fire Department. Any person, firm
or corporation who violates a provision of this section, or who fails to comply
therewith, or with any of the requirements thereof, shall be, upon conviction
thereof, sentenced to pay a fine of not less than $100 nor more than $600
for each violation, plus costs, and, in default of payment of said fine and
costs, to imprisonment to the extent permitted by law for the punishment of
summary offenses.
B.
A separate offense shall arise for each day or portion thereof
in which a violation is found to exist or for each provision of this section
found to have been violated. All fines and penalties for the violation of
this section shall be paid to the Borough Treasurer.
C.
The Borough may also commence appropriate actions in equity,
at law or other to prevent, restrain, correct, enjoin, or abate violations
of this section.
The Borough shall procure and maintain workmen’s compensation
insurance and fellow member liability insurance for the Fire Chief, officers
and all members of the Fire Department, comparable to that provided to Borough
employees. The Borough shall also procure and maintain officers errors and
omissions insurance for the Fire Chief and other officers of the Fire Department,
comparable to that provided to Borough officials. The Fire Department shall
be responsible for procuring and maintaining third-party liability insurance
for the Fire Chief, officers and all members of the Fire Department.
Authorized duties and activities of the Fire Department are as follows:
A.
All calls to duty in the field of public safety, including
going to and returning from such calls.
B.
Participation in fire drills and training sessions including,
but not limited to, emergency medical services, hazardous substance and fire
control.
C.
All activities performed while maintaining, repairing
or working on or about the fire and emergency medical apparatus.
D.
All activities performed while maintaining, repairing
or working on or about the fire station and grounds.
E.
Riding on or upon the fire or ambulance apparatus owned,
used or contracted by the Borough or Fire Department.
F.
Attending local association meetings, regional, statewide
and national conventions and parades, including travel to and from such events.
G.
Participation in all fund-raising activities including,
but not limited to, door-to-door solicitations, raffles, bingos, public dinners,
fairs and any other activities to which the express purpose is to raise funds
for the support of the fire and emergency medical services.
A.
The Crafton Volunteer Firemen’s Relief Fund Association
is recognized as actively engaging in providing fire protection and/or emergency
services in the Borough of Crafton. This Association has been formed and organized
pursuant to the Volunteer Firemen’s Relief Association Act, 53 P.S.
§ 8501 et seq., as amended, for the benefit of its members and their
families in case of death, sickness, temporary or permanent disability or
accident suffered in the line of duty. The Crafton Volunteer Firemen’s
Relief Fund Association is designated as the proper association to receive
such funds as are due and payable to the Borough Treasurer by the Treasurer
of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania from the tax on premiums from foreign
fire insurance companies and such other related commonwealth taxes or fees.
B.
This recognition of the Crafton Volunteer Firemen’s
Relief Fund Association shall continue as long as the Association is operated
consistent with the requirements of the Volunteer Firemen’s Relief Association
Act, 53 P.S. § 8501 et seq., as amended.
