[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Commissioners of the Township
of Upper Chichester as indicated in article histories. Amendments
noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Firemen's Relief Association — See Ch. 39.
Police Department — See Ch. 82.
Alarm devices — See Ch. 150.
Construction standards — See Ch. 240.
Fire hydrants — See Ch. 298.
Fire insurance proceeds — See Ch. 302.
Fire prevention and protection — See Ch. 307.
Property maintenance — See Ch. 429.
[Adopted 1943 by Ord. No. 12 (Ch. 7, Part 1, of the 1987 Code of Ordinances)]
There is hereby created the Office of Township Fire Chief. The
Board of Commissioners of the Township of Upper Chichester shall by
resolution appoint a suitable, adult person, who shall be a resident
of the Township of Upper Chichester, who shall hold office for a term
of one year, or at the pleasure of said Board. Said person may be
appointed to succeed himself. Said officer shall receive such salary
as shall be fixed by resolution of the Board of Commissioners at the
time of his appointment or reappointment.
The Township Commissioners shall from time to time, by resolution,
appoint a Deputy Township Fire Chief or Deputy Township Fire Chiefs,
in such number as from time to time shall be required. Said Deputy
Township Fire Chiefs shall hold office each for a term of one year,
or at the pleasure of the Board, and shall be eligible to succeed
themselves. The same qualifications shall be required for persons
appointed as Deputy Township Fire Chiefs as are hereby required for
the Office of Township Fire Chief. If more than one Deputy Township
Fire Chief shall be appointed, they shall have seniority of power
to enforce the regulations hereinafter created, or such other regulations
as may be hereafter adopted, according to the seniority of their appointment;
and if two or more persons shall be appointed at the same time, the
Commissioners shall designate which one shall rank as senior. The
Deputy Township Fire Chief or Deputy Township Fire Chiefs shall receive
such salary as shall be fixed by resolution of the Board of Commissioners
at the time of his or their appointment or reappointment.
A.
The Township Fire Chief shall have full and complete power to direct
the management of all efforts of any fire company or fire companies
to extinguish or control any fire occurring within the Township; and
all persons present attempting to extinguish and control any fire
shall obey his lawful orders and directions. In the absence of the
Township Fire Chief and Deputy Township Fire Chief present shall have
the same powers as might be exercised by the Township Fire Chief,
if present. If the Township Fire Chief and a Deputy Fire Chief be
present, the Deputy Township Fire Chief subordinate in rank shall
have such powers as shall be delegated to him by either the Township
Fire Chief or the ranking Deputy Township Fire Chief.
B.
The Township Fire Chief and/or any Deputy Township Fire Chief shall
likewise enforce such other fire regulations of the Township Board
of Commissioners as shall from time to time be adopted.
[Amended 11-17-1987 by Ord. No. 456; 12-8-1988 by Ord. No. 465]
Any person or persons present at any fire within the Township
of Upper Chichester who shall disobey the lawful orders of the Township
Fire Chief or any Deputy Township Fire Chief, or who shall not promptly
obey said lawful orders, shall be guilty of a violation of this article
and shall, upon conviction thereof, be sentenced to pay a fine of
not more than $1,000; and/or to imprisonment for a term not to exceed
90 days.
[Adopted 1-12-1989 by Ord. No. 470 (Ch. 7, Part 5, of the
1987 Code of Ordinances)]
A.
Scope. This standard contains minimum requirements for a fire-service-related
occupational safety and health program.
B.
Purpose. The purpose of this standard is to specify the minimum requirements
for an occupational safety and health program for the Fire Department,
and safety procedures for those individuals involved in fire suppression,
rescue, and related activities.
This article is the official written Fire Departmental occupational
safety and health policy that identifies specific goals and objectives
for the prevention of accidents, injuries, illnesses, and fatalities.
A.
FIRE DEPARTMENT
FIRE DEPARTMENT VEHICLES
MEMBER OF FIRE DEPARTMENT
TOWNSHIP
Definitions:
Collectively any and all of the volunteer fire companies
now or hereafter organized and functioning within Township boundary.
Any motor vehicle registered to one of the aforesaid fire
companies.
Any individual who is a recognized member of one of the aforesaid
volunteer companies.
The Township of Upper Chichester.
B.
Roles and responsibilities.
(1)
It shall be the responsibility of the Fire Department to provide
a safe, healthy work environment for its members. The Fire Department
shall research, develop, implement and enforce a safety and health
program that recognizes and reduces the inherent risks involved in
the operations of a fire department.
(2)
The Fire Department shall be responsible for compliance with all
applicable laws and legal requirements with respect to member safety
and health.
(3)
The Fire Department shall establish and enforce rules, regulations,
and standard operating procedures to reach the objectives of this
standard.
(4)
Each individual member of the Fire Department shall cooperate, participate,
and comply with the provisions of the safety and health program.
(5)
It shall be the right of each member to be protected by an effective
safety and health program and to participate or be represented in
the research, development, implementation, and enforcement of the
program.
C.
Fire Department Safety Officer.
(1)
The Fire Company Chief shall appoint on a yearly basis one Fire Safety
Officer and one Deputy Safety Officer. The requirements for this position
shall be established by Township resolution adopted from time to time.
(2)
The Fire Department Safety Officer shall be responsible for the management
of the safety and health program.
D.
Safety and Health Committee. A Safety and Health Committee shall
be established and serve in an advisory capacity to the Township Fire
Marshal. The Committee shall include one Commissioner, the Township
Fire Marshal, two Safety Officers from each company. The Township
Fire Marshal shall have the final authority on all matters in the
event of a tie.
E.
Records.
(1)
The Fire Department shall establish a data collection system and
maintain permanent records of all injuries or deaths that are or might
be Fire Company related. All reports of such injuries or deaths will
be submitted to the Township Fire Marshal's office.
(2)
The Fire Department shall maintain training records for each member
indicating dates, subjects covered, and certifications achieved.
(3)
The Fire Department shall maintain inspection, maintenance, repair,
and service records for all vehicles and equipment used for emergency
operations.
(4)
The Fire Department shall maintain confidential health records for
each member and a health database for members.
A.
General requirements.
(1)
The Fire Department shall establish and maintain a training and education
program with a goal of preventing accidents, injuries, deaths, and
illnesses.
(2)
The training and education provided to members shall address all
of the applicable provisions of this standard.
(3)
The Fire Department shall provide training and education for all
Fire Department members commensurate with the duties and functions
that they are expected to perform.
(4)
The Fire Department shall provide training and education for all
members to ensure that they are able to perform their assigned duties
in a safe manner that does not present a hazard to themselves or to
other members.
(5)
All training and education shall be provided by individuals who are
knowledgeable in the subjects covered.
B.
Training frequency.
(1)
Training shall be provided for all members as often as necessary
to meet the requirements. There will be two drills a year for the
Department. Also, there will be the required 24 hours' training for
the year.
(2)
Whenever changes in procedures or technology are introduced or new
hazards are identified in the work environment, appropriate training
and education shall be provided for all affected members.
C.
Basic training and requirements.
(1)
Members shall be provided with training and education appropriate
for their duties and responsibilities before being permitted to engage
in emergency operations.
(2)
All members who engage in structural firefighting shall meet the
minimum requirements of Basic Fire Fighting/Fire I, Fire II by 1991.
D.
Training for structural firefighting.
(1)
Members engaged in structural firefighting shall participate in training
for at least 14 hours per year.
(2)
Training exercises shall be conducted by knowledgeable personnel
in the subject matter.
(3)
Smoke-generating devices that produce a hazardous atmosphere shall
not be used in training exercises.
E.
Special hazards. Specialized training and education shall be provided
to members that describe the actions to be taken in situations involving
special hazards and shall include these in the training and education
program.
A.
General. The Fire Department shall consider health and safety as
primary concerns in the specification, design, construction, acquisition,
operation, maintenance, inspection, and repair of all vehicles and
equipment.
B.
Drivers/operators of Fire Department vehicles.
(1)
Drivers of Fire Department vehicles shall have valid driver's
licenses and authorization card signed by the Chief of the Company
listing each vehicle that the driver is qualified to drive/operate.
This card is to be carried at all times.
(2)
Vehicles shall be operated in compliance with all traffic laws, including
sections pertaining to emergency vehicles.
(3)
Drivers of Fire Department vehicles shall be directly responsible
for safe and prudent operation under all conditions. When the driver
is under the direct supervision of an officer, that officer shall
also assume responsibility for the actions of the driver.
(4)
Drivers shall not move Fire Department vehicles until all persons
on the vehicles are properly secured. Until such time that new equipment
is purchased, all personnel riding rear step will be in full protective
turn out clothing and safety belts secured.
(5)
Further qualifications of drivers shall be established by Township
resolution adopted from time to time.
C.
Persons riding on Fire Department vehicles.
(1)
All persons riding on Fire Department vehicles shall be seated and secured to the vehicle by seat belts or safety harnesses at any time the vehicle is in motion. Riding on the tailsteps or in any other exposed position shall be prohibited. [See Subsection B(4) of this section.]
(2)
Helmets and eye protection shall be provided for and used by persons
riding in cabs or tiller seats that are exposed.
(3)
All new Fire Department vehicles shall be specified and ordered with
sufficient number of seats in an enclosed area as specified by NFPA
190221, Standard for Automotive Fire Apparatus, for the maximum number
of persons who may ride on the vehicle at any time. This will be effective
in the year 1991 and not affect existing Fire Department vehicles.
D.
Inspection, maintenance and repair of vehicles.
(1)
All Fire Department vehicles shall be inspected at least weekly and within 24 hours after any use or repair to identify and correct unsafe conditions. A preventive maintenance program shall be established and records shall be maintained as specified in § 34-6E(3) of this standard. Maintenance, inspections, and repairs shall be performed in accordance with manufacturers' instructions.
(2)
Any Fire Department vehicle found to be unsafe shall be placed out
of service until repaired. After being repaired, the vehicle shall
be inspected prior to being placed back in service.
(3)
Fire pumps on all vehicles shall be service tested at least on a
monthly basis and recorded in the maintenance records.
(4)
All aerial devices shall be inspected and service in accordance with
the frequency and procedures specified in NFPA 1904, Standard for
Testing Fire Department Aerial Ladders and Elevating Platforms.
E.
Portable equipment.
(1)
All equipment carried on Fire Department vehicles designated for
training shall be visually inspected at least weekly and within 24
hours after any use. Inventory records shall be maintained for the
equipment carried on each vehicle. Records shall be maintained for
equipment designated for training.
(2)
All equipment carried on Fire Department vehicles or designated for
training shall be tested at least annually in accordance with manufacturers'
instructions and applicable standards.
(3)
Firefighting equipment found to be defective or in unserviceable
condition shall be removed from service and repaired or replaced.
(4)
All ground ladders shall be inspected and service tested as specified
in NFPA 1932, Standard on Use, Maintenance, and Service Testing of
Fire Department Ground Ladders.
(5)
All fire hoses shall be inspected and service tested as specified
in NFPA 1962, Standard on Care, Maintenance, and Use of Fire Hose
Including Connections and Nozzles.
(6)
All fire extinguishers shall be inspected and tested as specified
in NFPA 10, Standard for Portable Fire Extinguishers.
A.
General.
(1)
The Fire Department shall provide each member with the appropriate
protective clothing and protective equipment to provide protection
from the hazards of the work environment to which the member is or
may be exposed. Such protective clothing and protective equipment
shall be suitable for the tasks that the members are expected to perform
in that environment.
(2)
Protective clothing and equipment shall be used whenever the member
is exposed or potentially exposed to the hazards for which it is provided.
(3)
Members shall be fully trained in the care, use, inspection, maintenance
and limitations of the protective clothing and protective equipment
assigned to them or available for their use.
(4)
Protective clothing and protective equipment shall be used and maintained
in accordance with the manufacturers' instructions. A maintenance
and inspection program shall be established for protective clothing
and protective equipment. Specific responsibilities shall be assigned
to the safety officer, for the inspection, and maintenance.
B.
Protective clothing for structural firefighting.
(1)
All members who may be engaged in or exposed to the hazards of structural
firefighting shall be provided with both protective coats and protective
trousers that meet the requirements of NFPA 1971, Standard on Protective
Clothing for Structural Fire Fighting. An overlap of not less than
eight inches (203 mm) of protective coat and protective trousers shall
be required.
(2)
All members who may be engaged in or exposed to the hazards of structural
firefighting shall be provided with helmets that meet the requirements
of NFPA 1972, Standard on Helmets for Structural Fire Fighting.
(3)
All members who may be engaged in or exposed to the hazards of structural
firefighting shall be provided with gloves that meet the requirements
of NFPA 1978, Standard on Gloves for Structural Fire Fighting.
(4)
Fire Departments that provided protective coats with protective resilient
wristlets secured through a thumb opening may provide gloves of the
gauntlet type for use with these protective coats. Fire Departments
that do not provide such wristlets attached to all protective coats
shall provide gloves of the wristlet type for use with these protective
coats.
(5)
All members who may be engaged in or exposed to the hazards of structural
firefighting shall be provided with footwear that meet the requirements
of NFPA 1974, Standard on Protective Footwear for Structural Fire
Fighting.
(6)
All members who may be engaged in or exposed to the hazards of structural
firefighting shall be provided with approved protective hoods or combination
of ear flaps and collar that provide protection for the ears and neck
and interface with the SCBA facepiece, protective coat and helmet.
C.
Self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA).
(1)
(2)
Sources of a compressed gaseous breathing air, such as compressors,
cascade systems, storage receivers, etc., used for filling SCBA cylinders
shall be tested at least every three months to assure their compliance.
(3)
SCBA cylinders shall be emptied per the instructions of the manufacturer
if not utilized within a three-month period.
(4)
SCBA cylinders shall be hydrostatically tested within the periods
specified by the manufacturers and applicable governmental agencies.
(5)
Member using SCBA shall operate in teams of two or more who are in
communication with each other through visual, audible, physical, safety
guide rope, electronic or other means to coordinate their activities,
and are in close proximity to each other to provide assistance in
case of an emergency.
(6)
When members are involved in operations that require the use of SCBA
or other respiratory protection protective equipment, at least one
member shall be assigned to remain outside the area where respiratory
protection is required. This member shall be responsible for maintaining
a constant awareness of the number and identity of personnel using
SCBA, their location and function, and time of entry. Members with
SCBA shall be available for rescue.
(7)
The facepiece seal capability of each member qualified to use SCBA
shall be verified by qualitative fit testing on an annual basis and
any time that new types of SCBA are issued. Each new member shall
be tested before being permitted to use SCBA in a hazardous atmosphere.
Only members with a properly fitting facepiece shall be permitted
by the Fire Department to function in a hazardous atmosphere with
self-contained breathing apparatus.
(8)
Beards or facial hair that interfere with the facepiece seal shall
be prohibited for members required to use SCBA. If eyeglasses are
worn, the member shall use frames that do not pass through the seal
area of the facepiece.
D.
Personnel Alert Safety System (PASS).
(1)
Each member involved in rescue, firefighting, or other hazardous
duties shall be provided with and shall use a PASS device. Each PASS
device shall be tested at least weekly and prior to each use, and
shall be maintained in accordance with the manufacturers' instructions.
(2)
All PASS devices used by the Fire Department shall meet the requirements
of NFPA 1982, Standard on Personal Alert Safety Systems (PASS) for
firefighters.
E.
Life safety ropes, harnesses, and hardware.
(1)
All safety ropes, harnesses, and hardware used by Fire Departments
shall meet the requirements of NFPA 1983, Standard of Fire Safety
Rope, Harnesses, and Hardware.
(2)
Rope used to support the weight of members or other persons during
rescue, firefighting, other emergency operations, or during training
evolutions shall be life safety rope. Life safety rope used for any
other purpose shall be removed from service and destroyed.
(3)
Life safety rope used for rescue at fire or other emergency incidents
shall be previously unused and shall be destroyed after each use.
(4)
Life safety rope used for training evolutions shall be designated
as training rope and may be reused if inspected before and after each
use in accordance with the manufacturers' instructions. Training ropes
shall be destroyed if subject to impact loading, or if signs of weakness
or wear are detected. Records shall be maintained to record the use
of each life safety rope used for training.
F.
New and existing protective clothing and protective equipment.
(1)
All new protective clothing and protective equipment shall meet the
current edition, as specified in UCFD 051.
(2)
Existing protective clothing and protective equipment shall have
met the edition of respective NFPA standard that was current when
the protective clothing or protective equipment was purchased.
G.
Eye and face protection. Face and eye protection shall be provided
for and used by members engaged in fire suppression and other operations
involving hazards to the eyes and face at all times when the face
is not protected by the full facepiece of self-contained breathing
apparatus.
H.
Hearing protection.
(1)
Hearing protection shall be provided for and used by all members
operating or riding on fire apparatus when subject to noise in excess
of 90 DBA.
(2)
Hearing protection shall be provided for and used by all members
when exposed to noise in excess of 90 DBA from power tools or equipment,
exception situation where the use of such protective equipment would
create an additional hazard to the user.
(3)
The Fire Department shall engage in a hearing conservation program
to identify and reduce or eliminate potentially harmful sources of
noise in the work environment. Where audiometric testing indicates
a significant hearing loss for a member, the Fire Department shall
address these conditions on an individual basis, as well as take steps
to control potentially harmful noise exposure to any or all other
members.
A.
Organization.
(1)
Emergency operations and other situations that present similar hazards,
including training exercise, shall be conducted in a manner to recognize
hazards and to prevent accident and injuries.
(2)
An incident command system shall be established with written procedures
applying to all members involved in emergency operations. All members
involved in emergency operations shall be familiar with the system.
(3)
The incident command system shall identify roles and responsibilities
relating to the safety of operations. Safety responsibilities shall
be assigned to supervisory personnel at each level of the organization.
(4)
The officer in command of an emergency incident shall be responsible
for the overall safety of all members and all activities occurring
at the scene.
(5)
The officer in command of an emergency incident shall establish an
organization with sufficient supervisory personnel to control the
position and function of all members operating at the scene and to
ensure that safety requirements are satisfied.
(6)
A standard system shall be used to identify and account for the assignment
of each member at the scene of the incident.
(7)
At incidents or situations where special hazards exist, the office
in command shall assign qualified personnel with specific responsibility
to identify and evaluate hazards and to provide direction with respect
to the safety of operations.
B.
Incident safety requirements.
(1)
Fire Department operations shall be limited to those that can be
safely performed by the personnel available at the scene.
C.
Incident involving special hazards.
(1)
When members are operating in hazardous areas, they shall work in
teams of two or more. There shall be at one member specifically assigned
to remain outside the hazardous area and maintain an awareness of
the operations inside the hazardous area.
(2)
Whenever members are operating in positions or performing functions
that include special hazards or that would subject them to immediate
danger of injury in the event of equipment failure or other sudden
event, backup personnel shall be standing by with equipment to provide
assistance or rescue.
(3)
Whenever members are operating in positions or performing functions
that involve an immediate risk of injury, qualified basic life support
personnel shall be standing by with medical equipment and transportation
capability.
A.
Safety standards.
(1)
All Fire Department facilities shall comply with all legally applicable
health, safety, building and fire code requirements.
(2)
All sleeping areas in fire stations shall be separated from vehicle
storage areas by at least one-hour fire-resistive assemblies and shall
be protected by smoke detectors.
(3)
Fire stations shall be designed and provided with provisions to ventilate
exhaust emissions from fire apparatus to prevent exposure to firefighters
contamination of living and sleeping areas.
B.
Inspections.
(1)
All Fire Department facilities shall be inspected at least annually to provide for compliance with Subsection A of this section. Inspections shall be documented and recorded.
(2)
All Fire Department facilities shall be inspected at least monthly
to identify the cause correction of any health or safety hazards.
C.
Maintenance and repairs. The Fire Department shall have an established
system to maintain all facilities, and to cause prompt correction
of any health or safety hazards or code violations.
A.
General.
(1)
Prior to becoming members, effective January 1989, individuals shall
be examined and certified by a physician as being medically and physically
fit. Members who will be certified for fire/ambulance activities shall
meet the requirements set by each company.
(2)
All members engaged in emergency operations shall be reexamined by
the physician on at least an annual basis and before being reassigned
to emergency duties after a debilitating illness or injuries. Members
who have not satisfied these requirements of the examination shall
not be permitted to engage in emergency operations.
B.
Health data base.
(1)
The Fire Department shall establish and maintain a permanent health
file on each individual member that records the results of regular
and medical and fitness tests; any illnesses or injuries; and any
events that expose the individual to known or suspected hazardous
materials, toxic products, or contagious diseases.
(2)
Health information shall be maintained as a confidential record for
each individual member as well as a composite data base for the analysis
of factors pertaining to the overall health and fitness of the member
group.
(3)
If a member dies as a result of injury or illness, autopsy result,
if available, shall be recorded in the health data base.
C.
Contagious diseases. The Fire Department shall actively attempt to
identify and limit the exposure of members to contagious diseases
in the performance of their assigned duties. When appropriate, inoculations,
vaccinations and other treatment shall be made available.
D.
Fire Department physician.
(1)
The Fire Department shall have an officially designated physician
who shall be responsible for guiding, directing and advising the members
with regard to their health, fitness, and suitability for various
duties.
(2)
The Fire Department physician shall provide medical guidance in the
management of the safety and health program.
(3)
The Fire Department physician shall be a licensed medical doctor
qualified to provide professional expertise in the areas of safety
and health as they relate to emergency services.
(4)
The Fire Department physician shall be readily available for consultation
and to provide professional services on an urgent basis. This may
be accomplished by providing access to a number of qualified physicians.
The qualification of all line officers (Chief, Deputy Chief,
Assistant Chiefs, Captains, and Lieutenants) and any other such officer
shall be established by Township resolution adopted from time to time.