[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Commissioners of the Township
of North Versailles 8-21-2014 by Ord. No. 1090. Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Firemen's Relief Association — See Ch. 20.
North Versailles Township Board of Commissioners will recognize
three fire companies, Sta. 211 (West Wilmerding); Sta. 212 (Crestas);
Sta. 213 (Fire Department of North Versailles).
The President and Fire Chief shall reside in the Township of
North Versailles.
A.
All North Versailles Township fire departments are to maintain a
complete list of active firemen personnel records. All records are
expected to be copied and placed on file at the North Versailles Municipal
Building.
B.
All North Versailles Township fire departments shall be subject to
background checks completed by the Chief of Police for all active
firemen and personnel. Background checks are required for all current
and new fire personnel who are considered active members who respond
to emergency calls including Department Chief, Assistant Chief, and/or
any other management positions. Background checks on all personnel
are to be turned into the Township upon completion. An active firefighter
is defined as a member of the fire department in good standing and
is qualified to respond to and extinguish fires or perform other fire
department emergency services and has actively participated in such
activities during the past year.
(1)
Act 151 PA criminal history check. Any persons found to have a criminal record which includes a felony going back five years shall not be recognized and shall not be permitted to be a member of any North Versailles Township fire department. See § 21-6A below.
(2)
Act 34 child abuse records. Any persons found to have a child abuse record will not be recognized and shall not be permitted to be a member of any North Versailles Township fire department. See § 21-6B below.
(3)
Driving record status. Any persons having a suspended license shall
not be permitted to drive any fire equipment or municipally owned
equipment.
(4)
Personnel identification cards shall be issued to all designated
drivers of emergency vehicles. Section 75 Pa. C.S. 1606(a) states
that "No person, except those specifically exempted in subsection
(b), shall drive a commercial motor vehicle unless the person has
been issued and is in immediate possession of a valid commercial driver's
license and applicable endorsements valid for the vehicle he is driving."
Subsection b(3), (4) exempt persons who are volunteer firefighters
and members of rescue or emergency squads with Class C licenses and
who have a certificate of authorization from their fire chief while
operating a fire or emergency vehicle registered to the fire departments
or municipality.
(a)
No North Versailles Township firefighting personnel shall be
permitted to operate a commercial motor vehicle unless they have completed
an Emergency Vehicle Operations Course or have a Pennsylvania commercial
driver's license or a certificate of authorization from their
Fire Chief.
(b)
Certification of completion of an emergency vehicle operations
course shall be submitted to the Township Manager to be kept in the
personnel file.
(5)
Maintaining records. Two copies of all records are to be made. One
copy must be filed at the North Versailles Municipal Building, and
one copy must be filed at the corresponding department to which fire
personnel are listed and recognized. Any changes to these records
are to be given to the Township Manager within 30 days of the change.
C.
North Versailles Township fire departments will supply to the Township
Manager all training and certification records for each of their firemen
who are recognized as active firefighters and/or any person who responds
to emergency calls. This list will specify all certifications, training
courses and hours completed. All records will include the following:
(1)
Name of firefighter and/or emergency personnel.
(2)
Certifications and training received and/or completed.
(3)
Classification and/or title of personnel within their corresponding
department.
(4)
Dates on which certification and/or training was acquired.
(5)
All firefighting personnel are to complete and abide by North Versailles
Township Minimum Training Standards for Firefighters as recognized
by their given classifications and duties within their corresponding
fire department.
(6)
All firefighting personnel must provide a signed statement that they
have reviewed and understand the North Versailles Safety and Fire
Protection Policies. Said statement shall be submitted to the Township
to be kept in the individual's personnel file. The home department
of the personnel is required to keep a copy of the signed statement
on file.
A.
Firefighting safety equipment status checks.
(1)
All firefighting equipment is to be checked regularly by the department
Chief or qualified personnel; said qualified person may be an outside
entity or in-house personnel. All manufacturers' suggested inspections
and maintenance should be followed along with state inspection, air
packs flow test, all air breathing systems, ladders, hoses, and pump
test. State and/or federally mandated documentation shall be provided
to the Township Manager upon demand.
The following will serve as the minimum training standards for
all fire departments in North Versailles Township. All training courses,
classes, certifications and attendance documentation must be provided
by a state, county or nationally accredited, certified and recognized
instructor. If a question exists as to the propriety of an instructional
course, the Township shall determine if such course is acceptable.
A.
Active firefighter.
(1)
Essentials of Firefighting (all four modules) or Fundamentals of
Firefighting.
(2)
Structural Burn Session (final module of essentials).
(3)
Hazardous Materials Operations Level.
(4)
Yearly: A refresher course is required.
Note: New and current firefighters and emergency personnel shall
have one year to enroll and two years to complete the listed training
standards. The time period shall be automatically tolled if a firefighter
is serving in active military duty. A firefighter shall make their
best effort to complete the required training in the time required.
If a firefighter is unable to comply with the stated timeframe for
completion of training because of illness or work or school studies,
said firefighter may make a request to the Township for an extension
of the required time period.
A.
No individual with a criminal record which includes a felony offense
or higher shall be eligible to apply for any position within the North
Versailles Township Volunteer Fire system until a period of at least
five years has passed from the last date associated with the last
crime committed, e.g., the day of the dismissal, the day of disposition
or the last day of probation.
B.
No individual convicted of a sex crime or child-related crime shall
be eligible to apply for any position within the North Versailles
Township Volunteer Fire system regardless of the time-period lapsed.
Said crimes include but are not limited to the following: rape (including
spousal, date and statutory), sexual assault or abuse, sexual battery,
involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, child abuse, possession or
manufacture of child pornography or sex with a minor.
B.
All Township equipment shall be utilized before calling for mutual
aide unless equipment is needed that is not available through Township
fire companies.
C.
Township fire departments shall respond to all emergency calls when
dispatched regardless of the nature (public service) unless they cannot
crew.
D.
In the event that a Township fire department does not respond to
a 911 call out within the Township, the next available Township fire
department shall be dispatched.
E.
No Township fire department officers shall respond to an emergency
call outside their fire district with their own vehicles in emergency
status (lights on).
A.
There shall be zero tolerance for alcohol use, drug use, or theft
within North Versailles Township's volunteer firefighters or
emergency personnel. Any persons found stealing or using alcohol or
drugs during emergency calls; when the tones are activated; when acting
as or performing the duties of a firefighter; and when covered by
the Township's Workers Compensation Insurance Policy shall be
suspended immediately pending further investigation. Any fire department
personnel who fail to report such action may also be subject to suspension.
B.
A police report is required to be filed immediately when there is
an accident involving an emergency vehicle.
A.
Fire tax monies can be used for the following subject to final approval
by the Board of Commissioners:
(1)
New equipment.
(a)
New equipment shall only be for the use and aid of fire and
rescue operations.
(2)
Fire department utility bills. The Township may approve the use of
tax monies to pay the utility and fuel bills, provided that original
documentation, i.e., bills, invoices, receipts, are supplied to the
Township Manager. The use of tax monies for utility bills shall be
subject to the following:
(a)
Approved utilities include the following: gas, water, ground
phone line, sewage and electric.
(b)
Nonapproved utilities include but are not limited to the following:
cellular phones and cable services.
(c)
Fire halls that contain a social club cannot submit 100% of
their utility bills. These fire halls will be evaluated by the Board
of Commissioners who will determine what portion of the utility bills
are for firefighting purposes.
(3)
Emergency vehicles.
(a)
Approved expenditures for emergency vehicles include the following:
purchase, maintenance and fuel.
(4)
Training and certification.
(a)
Approved training and certification costs include the following:
reasonable meal and lodging costs, cost of the class, and vehicle
mileage. Mileage shall be reimbursed at the current rate set by the
Internal Revenue Service (IRS). These costs will only be paid upon
successful completion of the training and/or certification.
(b)
Nonapproved costs relating to training and certification include
but are not limited to the following: entertainment, per diem monies,
extracurricular activities, and all other expenditures deemed inappropriate
by the Township.
(5)
National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS) and Pennsylvania
Fire Incident Reporting System (PennFIRS).
(6)
Background checks.
B.
It is mandatory that all monies spent are to be used to better the
firefighting services supplied to the citizens of North Versailles.
Firefighting purposes include:
(1)
Training.
(2)
Personal protective equipment and fire safety protection.
(3)
Fire department utilities.
(4)
Emergency vehicles, purchase and maintenance.
(5)
Building costs (i.e., mortgage or loans for fire halls). One hundred
percent of the mortgage or loan payment will not be approved if the
building contains a social hall. The Board of Commissioners will determine
what portion of this mortgage or loan payment is for firefighting
purposes.
(6)
Fire hall maintenance. Bills for buildings that are used for social
clubs or storage buildings will not be approved.
(7)
Radio and communication devices.
(8)
Required hand tools.
(9)
Background checks.
(10)
Audits.
C.
It is prohibited to use tax funds for social or recreational halls.
D.
It is prohibited to use tax funds for any type of personal use.
E.
It is prohibited to use tax funds to secure additional loans. Money
acquired from the fire tax is not a guaranteed income. The decision
to impose a fire tax is a decision made by the Board of Commissioners
on a year-to-year basis.
F.
At the end of each fiscal year an audit may be required of the fire
tax money disbursed to and received by the North Versailles Township's
fire departments. Any mishandling of funds may result in the forfeit
of funds for future years. Additionally, the Township of North Versailles
may pursue legal action if the Board of Commissioners deems it necessary.
At the discretion of the Board of Commissioners, any noncompliance
and/or violation of this document, North Versailles Safety and Fire
Protection Policies, shall be viewed as grounds for any of the following
actions:
