Township of Muhlenberg, PA Chapter 34 Fire Companies

[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Commissioners of the Township of Muhlenburg as indicated in article histories. Amendments noted where applicable.]

Article I Recognition of Companies

[Adopted 3-15-1999 by Ord. No. 334 (Ch. 11 of the 1982 Code)]

§ 34-1 Fire Companies recognized.

The Goodwill Fire Company of Hyde Park and Temple Fire Company of the Village of Temple, each organized and existing in the Township of Muhlenberg, Berks County, Pennsylvania, are hereby designated as the officially recognized fire companies for the Township of Muhlenberg.

§ 34-2 Authorized activities of companies.

A. The Fire Companies recognized by the Township of Muhlenberg are hereby authorized to provide such services to the Township as may be necessary for the protection of property and persons situated therein, which include by way of example and not of limitation the extinguishment and prevention of loss of life and property from fire, automobile accidents, medical emergencies, hazardous materials incidents and other dangerous situations.

B. Each company may also provide nonemergency and public service functions, such as, again by way of example and not limitation, removing water from property after storms, assisting EMS in medical nonemergencies and assisting in the removal, abatement and prevention of damage or injury to persons or property, whether through natural causes or man-made situations.

C. Each company may also conduct and participate in such training activities and drills, either within or outside the Township, as may be deemed necessary or appropriate to maintain proficiency in providing service.

D. Each company may also respond to calls and provide services to municipalities outside the boundaries of the Township as provided for in the Muhlenberg Township/Fire Service Cooperation Agreement[1] so long as the officer in charge of the municipality needing assistance has formally requested assistance.

[1] Editor's Note: Said agreement is on file in the Township offices.

§ 34-3 Authorized activities of members of companies.

In addition to actually participating in the activities of their fire company as authorized above, or in going to or returning from any activity, the members of each said fire company recognized by the Township are also authorized to do the following things:

A. Engage in any type of drill, training, ceremony, practice, test or parade when duly authorized by an officer or officers of the respective fire company.

B. Engage in fund-raising activities for the fire company, when authorized by an officer or officers of the respective fire company.

C. Engage in the performance of any other duty or activities authorized by any officer of the recognized respective fire company.

§ 34-4 Purpose.

The purpose of this article is to recognize the Goodwill Fire Company of Hyde Park and Temple Fire Company of the Village of Temple as official fire companies of the Township of Muhlenberg and to state additional authorized activities for firefighters and junior members for workers' compensation purposes.

Article II Workers' Compensation Insurance

[Adopted 3-19-2012 by Ord. No. 505 (Ch. 13 of the 1982 Code)]

§ 34-5 Background.

The officers and members, including volunteer members, of the Temple Fire Company and the Goodwill Fire Company of Hyde Park (herein referred to, collectively, as the "Fire Companies"), organized and existing in the Township and designated as officially recognized fire companies for the Township of Muhlenberg, Berks County, Pennsylvania (herein referred to as the "Township") for the purpose of providing firefighting services, are generally provided with workers' compensation insurance coverage for any injuries that may occur while providing services for the benefit of the Township as officers and members of the fire companies. The Township recognizes that the officers and members engage in activities other than firefighting services incident to their positions in the fire companies, such as removing water from properties following storms, training activities and fund-raising activities. It is the intent of the Township, through this article, to clarify when workers' compensation insurance coverage applies to such activities.

§ 34-6 Certain authorized activities covered.

A. The fire companies provide such services to the Township as may be necessary for the protection of property and persons situate therein, which include, by way of example and not of limitation, the extinguishment and prevention of loss of life and property from fire, automobile accidents, medical emergencies, hazardous materials incidents, and other dangerous situations. For these types of activities, all members and officers shall be provided workers' compensation insurance coverage.

B. The Fire Companies also provide nonemergency and public service functions, such as, again by way of example and not of limitation, removing water from property after storms and assisting in the removal, abatement and prevention of damage or injury to persons or property, whether through natural causes or man-made situations. For these types of activities, members and officers specifically authorized by the Chief or officer in charge of his/her fire company to participate in any such activities shall be provided workers' compensation insurance coverage.

C. The fire companies also conduct and participate in training activities and drills, as may be deemed necessary by the officers of the fire companies to maintain proficiency in providing service. For these types of activities, members and officers specifically authorized by the chief or officer in charge of his/her fire company to participate in any such activities shall be provided workers' compensation insurance coverage.

D. The fire companies also conduct and participate in drills, training, ceremonies, practices, tests, parades and similar activities. For these types of activities, members and officers specifically authorized by the chief or officer in charge of his/her fire company to participate in any such activities shall be provided workers' compensation insurance coverage.

E. The fire companies also conduct and participate in lawful fund-raising activities for the fire companies. For these types of activities, members and officers specifically authorized by the chief or officer in charge of his/her fire company to participate in any such activities shall be provided workers' compensation insurance coverage.