[Adopted 1-24-2023 by Ord. No. 2023-1]
The following words, terms and phrases shall have ascribed to
them the meanings herein set forth, unless the use of such word or
phrase in context clearly indicates a different meaning:
The Board of Supervisors of Millcreek Township, Erie County,
Pennsylvania.
The Millcreek Township Fire Department.
Include, but are not limited to, the control, suppression
and extinguishment of fires; search and rescue for persons necessitated
by man-made or natural disasters or accidents; the isolation and containment
of hazardous materials and substances; rendering assistance to other
emergency service providers; and generally, to provide for the protection
and safety of persons and property within the Township.
The following Fire Departments are designated as the Millcreek
Volunteer Fire Departments for purposes of this Article: West Lake
Volunteer Fire Department, West Ridge Volunteer Fire Department, Kearsarge
Volunteer Fire Department and Belle Valley Volunteer Fire Department.
The supervision, administration and control of all emergency
response services.
The Township of Millcreek, Erie County, Pennsylvania.
The person duly appointed to that position by the Board of
Supervisors.
A.
The Board of Supervisors are hereby creating a new department of
the Township to be known as the Millcreek Township Fire Department
effective January 30, 2023.
B.
The Millcreek Township Fire Department shall be responsible for providing
emergency response services within Millcreek Township to the extent
determined by the Township and within such other municipalities in
accordance with mutual aid agreements.
A.
The Township of Millcreek hereby recognizes West Lake Volunteer Fire
Department, West Ridge Volunteer Fire Department, Kearsarge Volunteer
Fire Department and Belle Valley Volunteer Fire Department as the
volunteer fire departments of Millcreek Township ("Volunteer Departments").
Lake Shore Volunteer Fire Department, which is physically located
within Millcreek Township, is recognized as a Fairview Township Fire
Department with whom Millcreek Township has a mutual aid agreement
under which Lake Shore provides emergency response services within
Millcreek Township.
B.
The volunteer departments shall be responsible for providing emergency
response services within Millcreek Township in accordance with their
agreements with Millcreek Township.
C.
The governance of the individual volunteer departments by the Township
Fire Chief will not usurp or otherwise affect the conduct of the volunteer
departments as presently exercised by their duly elected officers,
except as otherwise provided in this article.
D.
The volunteer departments shall provide to the Millcreek Fire Department
access to use their facilities, apparatus and equipment as necessary
to enable the Millcreek Fire Department to meet its responsibilities
under this article. The parameters of such access shall be defined
within an agreement between Millcreek Township and the volunteer departments.
E.
The volunteer departments shall enter into an agreement with the
Township that is consistent with the provisions of this chapter and
any policies adopted by the Township under the Second Class Township
Code.
A.
Appointment and qualifications. The Fire Chief shall be appointed
by the Township Board of Supervisors.
B.
Compensation. The salary range for the office of Fire Chief shall
be fixed by the Board of Supervisors.
C.
Authority and duties. The authority and duties of the Fire Chief
include, but are not limited to the following:
(1)
There will be one Fire Chief in Millcreek Township, who shall manage
and oversee the Department.
(a)
The Fire Chief may designate or assign a temporary Deputy Chief
in his or her absence. This person may be selected from career or
volunteer ranks at the discretion of the Fire Chief. This position
may be permanent upon approval of the Board of Supervisors.
(2)
The Fire Chief shall have operational control of all emergency response
services provided by the Fire Department and the Volunteer Departments
within Millcreek Township.
(4)
The Fire Chief shall oversee the Volunteer Departments as follows:
(a)
The Fire Chief shall work with the financial committee of the
Fire and Emergency Services Commission ("Commission"), which shall
be comprised of one member from each Volunteer Department, the Township
Treasurer or designee and such other persons appointed by the Commission
to this committee, to make recommendations to the Board of Supervisors
regarding Township funding and disbursements of budgetary annual allotment
for each Volunteer Department.
(b)
The Fire Chief shall recommend rules, regulations, and standard
operating guidelines governing the Volunteer Departments in accordance
with the Second Class Code to the Board of Supervisors and enforce
such rules, regulations, and standard operating guidelines adopted
by the Board of Supervisors in accordance with the Second Class Township
Code.
(c)
The Fire Chief shall provide input into the creation or amendment
of any fire protection agreements between the Board of Supervisors
and the Volunteer Departments.
(d)
The Fire Chief, the Commission and the Volunteer Departments
shall work together to create and maintain a uniform recruitment and
retention of volunteer firefighters.
(e)
The Fire Chief, the Commission and the Volunteer Departments
shall work together to create and maintain unified training for all
firefighters at the Department and the Volunteer Departments.
(f)
The Fire Chief will recognize and accept the Volunteer Departments'
elected officers ("Line Officers") and will work with these officers
to establish and develop consistent minimum requirements for officers.
(g)
The Fire Chief shall regularly meet with the Line Officers of
the Volunteer Departments, as necessary. The Fire Chief will strive
to work with the Line Officers of the Volunteer Departments to encourage
input and progress of safety, operations and projects.
(5)
The Fire Chief shall investigate or delegate responsibility to investigate
the cause and origin of all fires involving loss of property, injuries,
or death and file reports with any and all appropriate agencies.
(6)
The Fire Chief shall make recommendations to the Board of Supervisors
regarding the alarm assignments/responses for all types of incidents
for the Departments and the Volunteer Departments.
(7)
The Fire Chief will be responsible for the oversight of fire prevention
activities throughout the Township, including public education and
general fire prevention activities.
(a)
The Fire Chief shall develop, recommend and provide the Township
Board of Supervisors written plans for an efficient and effective
fire prevention, fire suppression and lifesaving services in the Township.
(8)
The Fire Chief shall be responsible for making recommendations to
the Board of Supervisors regarding the purchase/sale of all apparatus,
equipment, personal protective equipment and any other related firefighting
items through an annual budget process. The Fire Chief will work with
the Line Officers to assure that the needs of the Volunteer Departments
and residents are met.
(9)
The Fire Chief shall designate the locations of all fire stations
and new fire hydrants. The Fire Chief will work closely with the Line
Officers on stations and hydrants.
(10)
The Fire Chief shall implement reasonable programs and procedures
to ensure the proper maintenance of all Department and Volunteer Department
apparatus, equipment and buildings. The Fire Chief will work closely
with the Line Officers to achieve this task.
(11)
The Fire Chief will attend training programs, when possible,
to maintain and enhance knowledge of modern firefighting techniques,
methodologies and skills. These trainings and related costs included
in the budget shall be approved by the Township, at its discretion.
(12)
The Fire Chief will represent the Township at functions or meetings
at the state or local level, as necessary or as directed by the Board
of Supervisors.
(13)
The Fire Chief shall prepare and document annual operational
and capital budget requests; and administer the adopted budget as
it relates to the Department and ensure compliance with all Township
financial policies and procedures.
(14)
The Fire Chief shall perform other departmental duties and responsibilities
as assigned by the Board of Supervisors from time to time.
