[HISTORY: Adopted by the Township Committee of the Township of Independence 8-8-1956
(Ch. 25 of the 1984 Code). Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Police Department — See Ch. 63.
There is hereby authorized and established the Independence Township
Fire Department to be composed of one company, to be known as "Independence
Township Volunteer Fire Department," and such additional companies as the
Township Committee may authorize and approve.
No person shall hereafter become an active member of the Fire Department
of the Township of Independence or any unit thereof unless between the ages
of 18 and 55 years of age. He shall be physically fit to perform the duties
of a fireman, evidenced by a certificate to that effect, by a practicing physician
of the State of New Jersey, after physical examination for that purpose.
Every member of the Fire Department shall, in each and every year, perform
at least 60% of duty, to be composed of actual attendance and duty at fires
and drills, and a record shall be kept of such attendance and duty by the
Chief of the Fire Department and reported to the municipal officers annually.
Every person seeking to join the Fire Department shall make application
to the company or unit which he desires to join, and upon his election to
membership by vote of a majority of the unit present and voting, he shall
become a member in good standing of the Fire Department after approval of
his membership by the Chief and confirmation by the municipal officers, and
his name shall be entered on a roll of firemen kept by the Municipal Clerk.
A.
Purpose.
(1)
To recruit members not yet old enough to join the regular Fire
Company and train them in the fundamentals of fire fighting.
(2)
Junior members will learn by attending training drills and meetings
and by assisting in a limited capacity at the scenes of fire
and other emergencies. (Junior members are not allowed in burning structures.)
(3)
The junior member will have the advantage of a fraternal organization
and a social outlet.
(4)
These experiences will help the junior member:
B.
Membership rules.
(1)
An applicant for membership must be a citizen of the United States
between the ages of 16 and 18 years, be of good moral character and in good
mental and physical condition. Applicant for a junior membership must have
no criminal record and reside in the fire response area.
(2)
An applicant for junior membership must appear in front of the
Board of Review and then be brought before the membership of the Department
for approval for membership.
(3)
Junior member applicants must have a parent or guardian's approval
in writing. Parent or guardian must appear with the applicant at the Board
of Review meeting.
Exemption certificates may be issued to members of the Fire Department
who shall have served seven years in active duty, under municipal control,
as required by law of April 29, 1935, as amended May 26, 1936.
