[Adopted 8-24-1993 by Ord. No. 1557]
The City of Clairton hereby recognizes the Clairton Volunteer
Fire Department and Relief Association, which has been organized by
residents of the City and incorporated as a nonprofit corporation
under Articles of Incorporation which were filed with and approved
by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania on April 25, 1988.
The Clairton Volunteer Fire Department and Relief Association
(hereinafter "Fire Department") is authorized to provide such services
within and for the City as may be necessary for the protection of
persons and property situate therein, which shall include but not
be limited to the extinguishing of fires and the prevention of injury,
loss of life and property from fire, automobile accidents, medical
emergencies, hazardous materials incidents and other dangerous situations.
In addition, said Fire Department is hereby given all power, so far
as the City of Clairton has power to grant the same, to enact such
rules and regulations for the management and government of individual
members thereof as shall be necessary for the proper maintenance and
control of said Fire Department. Neither the grant of the aforesaid
power nor the recognition set forth above shall be construed as constituting
the Clairton Volunteer Fire Department and Relief Association as an
agent, department or employee of the City except insofar as such effect
is provided under the provisions of the Act of June 2, 1915, P.L.
736, No. 338, known as the "Pennsylvania Workmen's Compensation
Act,"[1] or the Act of November 26, 1978, P.L. 1399, No. 330, known
as the "Political Subdivision Tort Claims Act."[2] Copies of duly enacted rules, regulations or bylaws and
any amendments thereto shall be filed with the office of the City
Manager.
[Amended 11-23-1993 by Ord. No. 1562]
The Clairton Volunteer Fire Department and Relief Association
and its membership, including its junior members, are hereby authorized
to perform or engage in the following extended duties and activities
in addition to the normal firefighting, rescue and emergency medical
duties as set forth above:
A.
Any and all public safety activities undertaken by the Fire Department
to render care to the injured, to prevent loss of life, to provide
comfort and security to victims and to limit or prevent damage to
or loss of property as circumstances may dictate.
B.
Rendering assistance to police officers where such aid is specifically
requested or is done without request to protect our citizens from
imminent danger.
C.
Participation in drills, practices, training sessions and pre-fire
planning activities authorized by the Fire Chief and supervised by
a qualified instructor.
D.
Participation in community celebrations, ceremonial observances and
funerals for deceased firefighters or other public figures where such
attendance is deemed appropriate and authorized, in writing, by the
Fire Chief.
E.
Preparation for and responsible participation in parades, provided
that attendance has the prior written approval of the Fire Department.
F.
Mutual aid.
(1)
Providing mutual aid to other communities requesting assistance in
emergency situations that are beyond their ability to handle on their
own. This aid may include but not be limited to:
(2)
The Fire Chief will be responsible to answer these calls for mutual
aid within reasonable travel distances and times, while retaining
an acceptable level of protection for the City at all times.
G.
Any public service functions performed for the welfare of the community
as long as these activities are responsibly supervised and are sanctioned
by the Fire Department.
H.
Participation in fire prevention inspections, post-fire investigations,
bomb searches and evacuation drills.
I.
Participation in public programs to promote health and safety, to
enlist new members, to solicit community support or to conduct fund-raising
activities so long as the activity is specifically sanctioned by the
Fire Department.
J.
Safely and responsibly performing maintenance and remodeling work
on the Fire Department or City fire vehicles, buildings, grounds or
equipment.
K.
Performing such other duties necessary for the efficient operation
of the Fire Department as may, from time to time, be assigned by the
Council and/or Manager and officers of the Fire Department.
The members of the Clairton Volunteer Fire Department and Relief
Association may elect from their number such officers as may be provided
by the bylaws of the Fire Department.
All appropriations made by the City to or for the use of said
Fire Department, whether of money or property, and any property or
equipment purchased with money so appropriated and all property and
equipment purchased by the City for the Fire Department shall continue
to be the property of the City. None of the property or equipment
so belonging to the City shall be permanently removed from the City
without the consent of the City Council.
A.
The Clairton Volunteer Fire Department and Relief Association shall
adopt a drug-free workplace policy which prohibits the use, possession,
sale or distribution of non-medically prescribed controlled substances
on Fire Department premises, including but not limited to any Fire
Department vehicles or while attending any Fire Department calls,
functions or events.
B.
The Fire Department shall not permit any member to operate equipment,
respond to or otherwise participate in any calls in an impaired state,
either as the result of alcohol, controlled substances or over-the-counter
medications.
C.
The Fire Department shall adopt and implement a drug testing policy
which will enforce these provisions.
[Amended 11-23-1993 by Ord. No. 1562]
The Clairton Volunteer Fire Department and Relief Association
will voluntarily file monthly financial reports, consisting of, at
a minimum, cash-flow statements, with the office of the City Manager
prior to the end of the next succeeding month and, in addition thereto,
shall report monthly in form and manner prescribed by the City Manager
on the activities of the Fire Department, including information regarding
fire calls and other emergency responses, manpower and training.
[Added 11-23-1993 by Ord. No. 1562]
At least quarterly, or more frequently as shall be deemed necessary
or desirable, meetings shall be held by and among the officers of
the Fire Department, the Fire Chief, the City Manager and any Council
members and members of the Fire Department wishing to participate
to discuss any and all matters of mutual concern.
