[HISTORY: Adopted by the Borough Council of the Borough of Seaside Heights 2-19-1997 by Ord. No. 97-1. Amendments noted where applicable.]
[Amended 10-4-2006 by Ord. No. 06-14]
The members of the Volunteer Fire Department of the Borough of Seaside Heights shall be under the supervision and control of the Borough of Seaside Heights at all times. No person shall be permitted to serve in the Volunteer Fire Department of the Borough of Seaside Heights unless and until he has been approved by the Borough Council of the Borough of Seaside Heights.
Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40A:14-68, the members of Volunteer Fire Department of the Borough of Seaside Heights shall be under the supervision and control of said municipality, acting through its Administrator, and in performing fire duty shall be deemed to be exercising a governmental function.
A. 
The names of all prospective firefighters shall be submitted to the Borough Council by the Chief of the existing fire department for approval by the Borough Council prior to any performance of fire service by any prospective member. The Borough Council may order an investigation into the background of a prospective firefighter. Prospective firefighters may be required to have a pre-appointment physical by a physician selected by the Borough Council.
B. 
As of the effective date of this chapter, no new members of the Volunteer Fire Department of the Borough of Seaside Heights shall be proposed by the Fire Department or approved by the Borough Council unless the total number of existing active members is less than 40.
C. 
Suspensions, resignations and terminations of members from the fire department shall be subject to the approval of the Borough Council.
D. 
The Borough Council may, on its own motion, seek the suspension, resignation or termination of a firefighter if it deems that same is reasonably necessary for the health, safety and welfare of the Borough of Seaside Heights and its citizens.
E. 
All members and prospective members of the Volunteer Fire Department of the Borough of Seaside Heights must be willing to submit to a background investigation by the Seaside Heights Police Department. No one with a criminal record will be permitted to serve in the Volunteer Fire Department of the Borough of Seaside Heights.
Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40A:14-68, appointment or election of the Chief of the volunteer fire company shall remain the prerogative of the membership of the fire company as set forth in the company's certificate of incorporation or bylaws.
The Volunteer Fire Department of the Borough of Seaside Heights and its members shall comply with any and all requirements as required by the Ocean County Joint Insurance Fund or the borough's insurance carrier for insurance coverage by the Ocean County Joint Insurance Fund or the borough's insurance carrier.
[Added 12-20-2023 by Ord. No. 2023-37]
A. 
Borough employees that become active firefighters on and after January 1, 2024, and attend not less than 45% of calls for service, meetings, drills, and mandatory special assignments during first 12 months of membership shall receive a $5,000 one-time incentive. Employees shall be required to maintain active membership for three additional years. In the event the employee does not maintain active membership for a period of three additional years, the incentive shall be returned to the Borough.
B. 
Commencing January 1, 2024, all active firefighters shall receive a $1,000 annual incentive after attending not less than 45% of calls for service, meetings, drills, and mandatory special assignments during the previous calendar year.
C. 
Commencing January 1, 2024, all active firefighters that reside in and are owners of property located within the Borough of Seaside Heights and who attend not less than 45% of calls for service, meetings, drills, and mandatory special assignments during the previous calendar year shall receive a $1,000 property tax credit annually. These active firefighters shall also be eligible to receive a waiver of the local portions of fees for certified copies of birth, marriage, civil union, and domestic partnership certificates; certified copies of death certificates; marriage, remarriage, civil union, domestic partnership licenses; certified property owners list; dog/cat license registration; zoning permit and building permits for decks, fences, sheds, finished basements, interior renovations, oil tanks, A/C units, and other accessory structures.
D. 
The aforementioned incentives shall not apply to fire police officers.