[HISTORY: Adopted by the Borough Council of the Borough of
Wilmerding 3-6-1959 by Ord. No. 675 (Ch. 7, Part 1, of the 1989 Code).
Amendments noted where applicable.]
[Amended 4-2-1985 by Ord. No. 847; 11-14-1989 by Ord. No. 899]
There shall be and is hereby recognized a department known as
the "Wilmerding Fire and Ambulance Department," which department shall
consist of one Chief, one Assistant Chief, one Captain, 1st, 2nd and
3rd Lieutenants, one Secretary and such firemen and personnel as Council
may deem necessary, not to exceed 45 members.
[Amended 11-14-1989 by Ord. No. 899]
A.
On each even-numbered and/or reorganization year of Borough Council,
the active members of the Wilmerding Fire and Ambulance Department
shall submit one name to Borough Council that they recommend for Fire
Chief and one that they recommend for Assistant Fire Chief, and Borough
Council shall approve said recommendations or it shall disapprove
the recommendations and return same to the Fire and Ambulance Department
for reconsideration.
B.
In like manner, the active members of the Fire and Ambulance Department
shall submit for Council's approval their choice for the positions
of Captain, 1st, 2nd and 3rd Lieutenant and Secretary.
C.
All such terms of office shall terminate at the next succeeding reorganization
year of Council.
[Added 11-14-1989 by Ord. No. 899]
Any amendments to or revisions to the Department's Constitution
and Bylaws must be approved by a majority of Borough Council prior
to taking effect. Any future constitutions or bylaws, likewise, are
subject to approval of Council.
The duties of the Chief of the Fire and Ambulance Department
shall include the following:
A.
The Chief of the Fire and Ambulance Department shall have full control
of all firemen when on duty and of all hoses, ladders, trucks, vehicles
and apparatus belonging to the Department, subject to the direction
and approval of Council. All equipment used by the Wilmerding Fire
and Ambulance Department and stored in the Wilmerding Fire and Ambulance
Department Quarters must be registered in the name of the Borough
of Wilmerding. Any exception to this section must be approved by vote
of Council.
B.
The Fire Chief shall see that all orders and regulations of Council
are strictly enforced and that discipline is maintained and observed
by officers and men, and he shall have power in great emergencies
to recruit such additional men as may be needed to extinguish any
unusual fires.
C.
The Chief of the Fire and Ambulance Department shall keep accurate
record of the operation of the Department, the number of alarms of
fire and the number of fires, names of firemen physically present
at any fire, the total loss and insurance, so far as ascertained,
and any special matter that he may deem advisable, and make a monthly
report of same at each and every regular meeting of Council. The reports
shall be open to inspection for members of Council at all times, and
all such records shall remain the property of the Borough of Wilmerding.
D.
He shall promptly report in writing to Council any incapacity, inefficiency,
neglect of duty, disobedience or any other acts unbecoming a fireman,
in which report he shall state the offense, the name of the offender,
time and place of the offense, and its nature, briefly, and the names
of persons by whom the facts in the case may be proven. The Chief
shall have the power to suspend members of the Department until Council
takes action on the charges preferred.
E.
The Fire Chief shall make a monthly report to Council of the schedule
of the work performed in connection with the Fire and Ambulance Department
and fire apparatus, except fighting fires, and assign the personnel
to perform such work. Compensation, if any, shall be set by Council.
F.
The Fire Chief shall report all needed repairs and supplies to the
proper committee. He shall have the power to make any necessary purchases,
not exceeding in cost $5, and, with the approval of the proper committee,
not exceeding $25.
G.
It shall be the duty of the Fire Chief to see that the apparatus
entrusted to his care and the buildings in which the same are stationed
and all articles in or belonging to the same are kept neat and clean
and in order for immediate use.
H.
On the first day of February of each year, he shall make a complete
inventory of all Borough property in his care and report the same,
in writing, to Council at its next regular meeting.
I.
The Fire Chief shall see that the premises in which a fire may have
occurred are left in such a condition that it will not cause further
damage to life and property and requesting help, if necessary, from
the Chief of Police and the Police Department.
In the absence of the Fire Chief from duty from any cause, his
duties shall devolve upon and be performed by the Assistant Fire Chief,
and if he be absent, by the next available senior officer in the line.
[Amended 4-2-1985 by Ord. No. 847; 11-14-1989 by Ord. No. 899; 1-16-1996 by Ord. No. 945]
Every applicant to become a member of the Fire Department must
not be less than 18 years of age, a citizen of the United States and
a resident of the Borough of Wilmerding or an adjacent municipality,
i.e., Wall, East McKeesport, North Versailles, Monroeville or Turtle
Creek, and must have resided therein for a period of at least one
year last preceding the filing of his or her application; provided,
however, that the provision of this section shall not apply to applicants
who are members or past members of the Department in good standing
as of the date of their resignation from the Department and who shall
thereafter apply and be reelected in such manner as to retain continuous
membership in the Department. Public notice of vacancies existing
on the Fire Department roster must be made to Council as vacancies
occur. All applications are to be submitted to the Fire Department
with a copy to the Fire Committee.
[Added 9-5-2000 by Ord. No. 973[1]]
Persons 16 and 17 years of age may be added to the roster of
Wilmerding firefighters pursuant to the requirements of 43 P.S. § 40.7.
Such statute is incorporated herein and all future amendments to such
statute are automatically made part of this section. Such persons
may participate only to the extent as allowed by law and under the
specific limitations as therein set forth. Working papers shall be
required of all participants.
[Added 11-14-1989 by Ord. No. 899]
Each applicant for membership in the Fire and Ambulance Department
must submit to, and pass, a physical examination prior to becoming
a member of the Department. Such physical examination shall be paid
for by the Borough and performed by a practicing physician as appointed
by resolution of Council.
Any person who may hereafter be appointed a member of the Fire
and Ambulance Department shall subscribe to and take the oath of office
as such, viz., that he shall support the Constitution of the United
States of America and the State of Pennsylvania, and to the best of
his knowledge and ability perform his duties, and said oath, duly
signed and attested, shall be filed in the office of the Borough Secretary.
All such accepted firemen shall attend all fires unless prevented
by sickness or absence from the Borough. Any fireman who shall fail
to respond to three consecutive fire alarms, unless prevented by some
unavoidable cause, shall thereupon become automatically suspended
from the Department. In case of any such suspension of a fireman,
it shall be the duty of the Fire Chief to investigate and make a report,
in writing, of the same to Council at its next regular meeting, at
which time Council may reinstate or dismiss such firemen from membership
in the Department.
No alcoholic or malt liquors shall be allowed in any building
belonging to the Borough and occupied by the Department or at any
fire. Gambling and profane language are prohibited. No member of the
Department shall enter a tavern or other place where intoxicating
liquors are sold while on duty, except in response to an alarm of
fire.
[Added 11-14-1989 by Ord. No. 899]
Borough Council shall approve the Bylaws of the Fire Department.
[Amended 11-14-1989 by Ord. No. 899]
Any person, firm or corporation who shall violate any provision
of this chapter shall, upon conviction thereof, be sentenced to pay
a fine of not more than $600 and costs or, in default of payment thereof,
shall be subject to imprisonment for a term not to exceed 30 days.
