SOUTH RIVER–The Borough Council introduced and approved an ordinance, which if adopted, will amend the municipal code to establish the purpose and duties of the Fire Committee.
“The [South River] Fire Department was looking to establish a way to assist the fire chief in activities outside of fire suppression. The term Fire Committee existed in the existing ordinance, but had no definition as to how the committee can assist the fire chief in those non-fire suppression activities. Now it will,” Business Administrator Art Londensky said.
The council introduced the ordinance during the July 19 council meeting.
The chief of the fire department and the Fire Committee will be responsible to make sure duties are carried out by the officers and members of the fire department, according to the council.
The second and final reading for this ordinance is scheduled for Aug. 2.
The committee for each fire station will be established and will include:
- Jackson St. Fire Station, specifically both Engine Co. No. 1 and Reliable Company Chiefs, and the two company presidents.
- Summit Fire Station, specifically the chief of Summit Engine Company and the company president.
In terms of general duties, it will be the responsibility of the Fire Committee(s) to assist the chief of the department in assuring that the duties are carried out by the members and officers of the fire department, according to the council.
It will be the responsibility of the fire committee to monitor and regulate the operation and use of their respective fire stations. Any outside or non-fire department use of the fire stations must be approved by the fire committee, according to the council.
The committee will also annually appoint a building manager(s) who will act as liaison to the business administrator for maintenance and repairs, according to the council.