Presenter
Presented by Mr. Bodack
Title
Ordinance amending the Pittsburgh Code of Ordinance, Title One, Administrative, Article III: Organization, Chapter 116: Department of Public Safety by adding in specific duties of the Director of Public Safety.
Body
Whereas, in 1985, pursuant to Ordinance 1 of 1995, City Council created a Department of Public Safety to fall under the director of a Director with specifically enumerated powers and duties; and
Whereas, in 1998, pursuant to Amending Ordinance 1 of 1998, City Council amended Chapter 116 of the Code to clarify that the Police Bureau, Fire Bureau, Emergency Medical Services Bureau, Communications Bureau, and Bureau of Building Inspection would instead each be under the charge of a Chief who was to serve as the head of each bureau and was to have the same powers as a department director as defined in Chapter 111 of the City Code and further clarified the respective powers and duties of the various chiefs; and
Whereas, it has been determined that there is still a specific need for a separate position to be known as the Director of Public Safety; and
Whereas, City Council now wishes to define the separate and specific duties of the Director of Public Safety.
The Pittsburgh Code of Ordinances, Title One, Administrative, Article III: Organization, Chapter 116: Department of Public Safety, is hereby amended as follows:
Be it resolved by the Council of the City of Pittsburgh as follows:
Section 1. Section 116.01, which currently reads as follows:
§ 116.01 BUREAU CHIEFS.
(a) The Department of Public Safety consists of the Police Bureau, the Fire Bureau, the Emergency Medical Services Bureau, the Communications Bureau and the Bureau of Building Inspection. Each of the bureaus which make up the Department of Public Safety shall be under the charge of a Chief who shall be the head thereof and shall have the same powers as a department director as defined in Chapter 111 of this Code.
(b) Wherever the terms "Superintendent or Chief of Police", "Fire Chief" or "Director or Chief of Emergency Medical Services", "Chief, Bureau of Building Inspection", "Chief, Emergency Operations Center" or "Chief, Communications Bureau" appear elsewhere in the Pittsburgh Code, these terms shall be deemed to be equivalent to the heads of major administrative units as defined in the Pittsburgh Home Rule Charter.
Is hereby amended to read:
§ 116.01 BUREAU CHIEFS AND DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC SAFETY.
I. BUREAU CHIEFS
(a) The Department of Public Safety consists of the Police Bureau, the Fire Bureau, the Emergency Medical Services Bureau, the Communications Bureau and the Bureau of Building Inspection. Each of the bureaus which make up the Department of Public Safety shall be under the charge of a Chief who shall be the head thereof and shall have the same powers as a department director as defined in Chapter 111 of this Code.
(b) Wherever the terms "Superintendent or Chief of Police", "Fire Chief" or "Director or Chief of Emergency Medical Services", "Chief, Bureau of Building Inspection", "Chief, Emergency Operations Center" or "Chief, Communications Bureau" appear elsewhere in the Pittsburgh Code, these terms shall be deemed to be equivalent to the heads of major administrative units as defined in the Pittsburgh Home Rule Charter.
II. DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC SAFETY
(a) In addition to the five (5) Bureau Chiefs set forth above, there shall be one (1) Director of Public Safety for the Department who shall be generally in charge of coordinating the various bureaus in addition to the specific duties and powers set forth below.
(b) Although the responsibilities of the Director of Public Safety differ from a traditional department director due to the focused scope of the powers and duties set forth herein, the position of Director of Public Safety shall also be appointed by the Mayor and shall be subject to confirmation of City Council as provided for in Section 209 of the Home Rule Charter. An acting Director of Public Safety may likewise be designated by the Mayor to serve for a period of up to ninety (90) days by written designation filed with the City Clerk and Controller.
(c) A Bureau Chief may simultaneously serve as the Director of Public Safety; however, the position is not required to be filled by a Bureau Chief.
Section 2: Section 116.02, which currently reads as follows:
§ 116.02 POWERS AND DUTIES OF BUREAU CHIEFS.
The Chiefs of the respective bureaus of the Department of Public Safety shall have the following powers and duties:
(a) The care, management, administration and supervision of police, fire, emergency medical forces and the City's emergency communication system;
(b) The enforcement of the building, fire prevention and business licensing laws;
(c) The providing of educational programs concerning police, fire and emergency medical matters to the general public; and
(d) The oversight of the Police Force accreditation process, the supervision of the accreditation manager and related staff or committee, and the assurance of attainment of police accreditation and continued reaccreditation.
Is hereby amended to read:
§ 116.02 POWERS AND DUTIES OF BUREAU CHIEFS AND DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC SAFETY.
I. BUREAU CHIEFS:
The Chiefs of the respective bureaus of the Department of Public Safety shall have the following powers and duties:
(a) The care, management, administration and supervision of police, fire, emergency medical forces and the City's emergency communication system;
(b) The enforcement of the building, fire prevention and business licensing laws;
(c) The providing of educational programs concerning police, fire and emergency medical matters to the general public; and
(d) The oversight of the Police Force accreditation process, the supervision of the accreditation manager and related staff or committee, and the assurance of attainment of police accreditation and continued reaccreditation.
II. DIRECTOR OF OF PUBLIC SAFETY:
The Director of Public Safety shall have the following powers and duties:
(a) Directing liaison activity with other City departments and public safety agencies;
(b) Holding internal disciplinary hearings and/or making employee disciplinary decisions as set forth in the various bureau union contracts and/or applicable law;
(c) Coordinating the public safety bureaus during emergencies, which shall include but not be limited to the authority to make decisions regarding evacuations and/or quarantines subject to applicable law;
(d) Enforcing the City's nuisance property laws;
(e) Signing contracts on behalf of the Department; and
(f) Performing such other related tasks and duties that are assigned by the Mayor as required.