A look at the new department:

OFFICIAL COMPANY: The Palmerton Municipal Fire Company is established, and designated, as an officially recognized fire company for the borough.The West End Fire Company No. 2 shall continue to be officially recognized by the borough.Together, the Palmerton Municipal Fire Company and the West End Fire Company No. 2 shall mutually comprise the Palmerton Fire Department.AUTHORIZED ACTIVITIES: The fire department will provide services to the borough as necessary for the protection of property and persons located in the borough, which include, but are not limited to, the extinguishments and prevention of loss of life and property from fire, automobile accidents, hazardous materials incidents, and other dangerous situations.MEMBERS: The Palmerton Fire Department will currently consist of Palmerton Municipal Fire Company and West End Fire Company No. 2.OFFICERS: One fire chief and one assistant fire chief. The departmental fire chief and assistant fire chief shall operate out of the centrally located Palmerton Municipal Fire Company building. The fire chief and assistant fire chief shall have control and authority over the fire department, and shall be ultimately responsible for managing and coordinating efforts among the borough fire companies.appointment: The fire chief and assistant fire chief of the Palmerton Fire Department shall be appointed by borough council annually.The fire chief, assistant fire chief, and chairperson of the borough council safety committee shall appoint remaining officers.DUTIES OF FIRE CHIEF:The fire chief shall have full charge and control over the fire apparatus, equipment of the Palmerton Municipal Fire Company, and personnel at all times, and shall be given general directions as to how, when, and where, to use such apparatus and equipment.The fire chief shall have the power to direct the Palmerton Municipal Fire Company to eject, dismiss, or suspend from service, any member of any fire company comprising the Palmerton Fire Department for disobedience of his orders; to enter any premises for the purpose of investigating the cause of or subduing a fire; to call to his assistance the police force of the borough or any citizen to maintain peace or protect property at a fire; and to prosecute on behalf of the borough any person for interfering with the fire department at a fire, or for interfering with the fire hydrants, or with any of the fire apparatus or equipment.MEMBERSHIP: Membership by application to the borough, subject to the recommendation of the fire chief, and formal approval by borough council. Those accepted have six months probationary period.EQUIPMENT: All fire equipment, supplies and apparatus bought for the use of the fire department, are to be the property of the borough. An inventory shall be conducted annually, and forwarded to the borough secretary by Nov. 30 of each year.ALCOHOL PROHIBITED: No alcoholic beverages shall be allowed on any borough property, including on any fire trucks maintained or operated by the Palmerton Municipal Fire Company.VIOLATIONS AND PENALTIES: Violators subject to a fine or not more than $600, and costs of prosecution and, in default of payment of such fine and costs, to imprisonment in the county jail for not more than 30 days.