PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICER

The Public Safety Officer is appointed by the Amity Township Board of Supervisors to ensure the overall safety of our community as well as the coordination of emergency services.

The duties of the Public Safety Officer are multi-faceted.  The primary role of the Public Safety Officer is to encourage compliance with life safety codes, standards and regulations through education and enforcement.  The Public Safety Officer also functions as the Municipal Emergency Management Coordinator, conducts fire and life safety inspections and serves as an emergency services coordinator for our local emergency responders.

The Public Safety Officer serves on the Amity Township Emergency Services Committee.

Fire Safety Inspections and Code Enforcement

The Public Safety Officer is part of the code enforcement office and will perform fire safety inspections on local businesses, schools, daycare facilities and other properties throughout the Township. Inspections will ensure compliance with the International Fire Codes (IFC), International Property Maintenance Code (IPMC) and the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA).  They will also be a resource to answer any questions relating to fire codes.

CERTIFICATE OF FITNESS Required for any company conducting inspection/monitoring/maintenance of the listed equipment.

Investigations

The office investigates complaints pertaining to violations or the various codes pertaining to life safety.

The Public Safety officer works closely with the Fire Marshal and assists in determining the causes and origin of fires. The methodology used includes: the recognition of evidence, photographs, interviews, identification and preservation of evidence, reports and assistance from the State Police Fire Marshal’s office and Amity Police Department as required.

Emergency Management

The Public Safety Officer is appointed by the Governor of Pennsylvania to be responsible for the development and administration of Amity Township emergency plans and procedures to coordinate emergency service response when disasters occur.  The office works closely with both the Berks County Department of Emergency Services, Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) and FEMA.

Fire Prevention & Education

The Public Safety Officer works closely with both the fire companies serving the township, Amity Fire Company and Monarch Fire Company, with providing fire prevention and education to the community.

Engineering & Plan Review

The Public Safety Officer assists the Code Enforcement office with plan reviews, site plan reviews, final inspections and testing of life safety systems.

Fire Prevention & Safety

Michael Foltz, Public Safety Officer / Emergency Management Coordinator (EM-26)

Mike holds a Master’s degree in Public Safety Administration. Mike has over thirty (30) years’ experience in law enforcement with a strong background in criminal investigations, critical incident management and administration.  He is a graduate of the FBI National Academy and held several leadership roles, including serving as Chief of Police.

Mike is a certified Municipal Emergency Management Coordinator through Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency.  He previously served as Emergency Management Coordinator for a municipality in Montgomery County. Mike also served as a Director of Public Safety Management for a large healthcare network in the Philadelphia metropolitan region before coming to Amity Township.

Edward Simser, Fire Marshal (FM26-1)
Mr. Simser holds a Criminal Justice Degree with a concentration in Investigation Management and Constitutional Law.  Mr. Simser has over forty (40) years experience encompassing a Law Enforcement and Insurance Fraud Investigation Background.  He also completed an Advanced Arson Course for Insurance Investigators in conjunction with A.T.F.  Mr. Simser is affiliated with numerous organizations and has received many awards and commendations.

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