Slatington officials are considering creating a fire commissioner position that would focus on code enforcement, inspections and administrative duties while allowing the volunteer fire chief to concentrate on emergency operations.

Borough council approved advertising Ordinance No. 731, which would establish the fire commissioner role as a paid borough position while keeping the fire chief as a volunteer operational post.

Borough Vice President David Schnaars said the position would help address responsibilities that have largely fallen on the fire chief.

“I feel the fire commissioner job is a great idea,” Schnaars said. “We need someone that is available to just do this job. The fire chief cannot be expected to do that, which has been the case in the borough.”

Borough President Ryan Mayberry said the proposal would expand the borough’s current partnership-time code enforcement position into a full-time role aimed at improving public safety. “The fire commissioner role under consideration is an expansion of our partnership time code enforcement officer into a full-time role to improve public safety,” Mayberry said.

“The majority of the role will be to work on code enforcement and building inspections. The role will also handle some administrative duties and paperwork the fire chief currently has so he can be more focused on operations.”

Under the proposed ordinance, the fire chief would remain a volunteer position responsible for operational duties such as responding to fires and emergencies and attending drills and demonstrations. The fire commissioner would be a paid borough employee serving at the discretion of borough council. A salary has not been determined.

The fire commissioner would maintain administrative oversight of the department, while the fire chief would retain operational control.

Responsibilities for the commissioner would include developing and administering the annual fire department budget; conducting or overseeing fire and safety inspections of borough businesses, buildings and public facilities; and working with the fire chief to develop and enforce standard operating guidelines, rules and procedures.

The commissioner would also support recruitment, training and retention of volunteer firefighters, provide a written monthly report to borough council, and create and maintain an inventory of fire apparatus and equipment. The position would report items needing repair, renovation or replacement to the borough manager and council, as well as notify officials about unusual fire risks or hydrants and water mains needing special attention. The ordinance also requires the fire commissioner to live within five driving miles of the borough at the time of appointment.

During discussion of the proposal, resident Frank Hoffman questioned the need for the position.

“We don’t need a fire commissioner,” Hoffman said. “We had three fire stations and now just one. We don’t need one of them.”