(A) (1) Citizen’s Fire Company of Upper Milford Township and Upper Milford Western District Fire Company are volunteer fire companies which have been established, organized and currently exist in the township.
(2) The Board of Supervisors of the township are desirous of officially recognizing these fire companies as organizing and/or operating within the township and establishing various duties to be performed by them.
(3) Section 66803(d) of the Second Class Township Code, 53 P.S. § 66803(d) requires that a volunteer fighter company that is organized or operating within the confines of a township be approved by resolution of the Board of Supervisors.
(B) The Board of Supervisors of the township hereby designate the Citizen’s Fire Company of Upper Milford Township and the Upper Milford Western District Fire Company as the officially recognized fire companies within the township.
(C) The fire companies and their members are authorized to perform the following in addition to the normal firefighting, rescuing and emergency medical duties for worker’s compensation purposes:
(1) Participation in drills, practices, training sessions and pre-fire planning activities authorized by the fire company and supervised by a qualified instructor, or a fire department officer;
(2) Participation in community celebrations, ceremonial observances and funerals for deceased firefighters or other public figures where such attendance is deemed appropriated by the fire company;
(3) While performing duties necessary to prepare the fire station for use as a distribution center or polling place for the primary and general elections, including like or similar services performed at other municipal or school district buildings;
(4) Preparation for and responsible participation in parades, provided that attendance has prior approval of the fire company;
(5) Any public service function performed for the welfare of the community, including recovery of animals, as long as those activities are responsibly supervised and are sanctioned by the fire company;
(6) Any and all public safety activities undertaken by the fire company members to render care to the injured, prevent loss of life, provide comfort and security to victims, and to limit or prevent damage to loss of property as circumstances may dictate;
(7) While rendering assistance to police officers where such aid is specifically requested or is done without request to protect the public welfare from imminent danger, including fire/police duties;
(8) Participation in fire prevention activities, post-fire investigations, bomb searches and evacuation drills;
(9) While participating in public programs to promote health and safety, to enlist new members, or solicit community support, or conduct fundraising activities as long as no compensation is being paid to the members while engaged in the fundraising activity, with 100% of the proceeds to go to the fire company, and as long as each activity is sanctioned by the fire company;
(10) While safely and responsibly performing maintenance and remodeling work on the fire company vehicles, buildings, ground or equipment, including work done on township vehicles, buildings, grounds or equipment;
(11) The fire company may also respond to calls and provide services to municipalities outside of the township pursuant to mutual aid agreements; and
(12) Such other duties that are necessary for the efficient operation of the volunteer fire companies as may, from time to time, be assigned by the township and officers of the fire company, and as may be defined within the constitution and by laws of the respective fire companies.
(Res. 2005-024, passed 10-6-2005)