[HISTORY: Adopted by the Borough Council of the Borough of Carteret as indicated in article histories. Amendments noted where applicable.]
[Adopted 12-15-1970 as Ch. III of the 1970 Revised Ordinances, as amended through 3-5-1974. Subsequent amendments noted where applicable.]
There is hereby established the Fire Department of the Borough of Carteret.
[Amended 1-19-1984 by Ord. No. 84-2; 5-17-1990 by Ord. No. 90-20]
A. 
The Fire Department shall consist of the following civil service job titles: Fire Chief,[1] Fire Lieutenant and as many Firemen as may from time to time be deemed necessary or essential by the Council, all of whom shall be appointed by the Council.
[Amended 9-19-2019 by Ord. No. 19-23]
[1]
Editor's Note: Ord. No. 19-23 provided that in the absence of a Fire Chief, the Borough may utilize the title of Battalion Chief and that the Fire Chief shall exercise all of the authority, duties and responsibilities of the Battalion Chief under the Code.
B. 
Fire official. The position of Fire Official, as created by § 128-19, Fire Official, of the Fire Prevention Ordinance of the Borough of Carteret, is adopted by reference requiring the appointment of one of the captains as Fire Official is hereby established. Said captain who shall serve as the Fire Official for the Borough shall be appointed by the governing body in accordance with § 128-19A and B. (Ordinance 85-32, Section 6, is referred to by reference.)
[Added 5-7-2020 by Ord. No. 20-09]
There shall also be established the position of a civilian Department Head/Director for the Department who, at the direction of the appropriate/appointing authority, as the case may be, shall assist and work with the Fire Chief or Battalion Chief on such administrative matters as departmental budgeting, equipment purchasing and maintenance, personnel and training, and the like.
The Fire Department shall be under the direct supervision of the Fire Committee of the Borough Council, and all firemen shall be under orders of the Volunteer Fire Chief when fighting fires or drilling.
[Amended 5-7-2020 by Ord. No. 20-09]
The Fire Chief, or Battalion Chief, shall be responsible directly to the Borough Council. Once appointed, he shall serve during good behavior and shall not be removed except for cause only and after being notified, in writing, of the charges against him and shall be afforded a public hearing. He shall be in complete charge of the Fire Department and shall supervise and determine all schedules of work and vacations. He shall be responsible for the proper maintenance of all fire-fighting equipment and firehouses, including trucks, and shall keep the same in good, proper and satisfactory working order at all times. As part of his duties, he shall perform all the functions assigned to the Chief of the Bureau of Fire Prevention, including the issuance of all permits. As part of this duty, he shall cause to be inspected, as frequently as may be directed by the Fire Underwriters, all industrial, commercial and public buildings and shall enforce all state and local fire laws and maintain all records of inspections.
A. 
(Reserved)[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Former Subsection A, Terminal leave, was repealed 12-1-1988 by Ord. No. 88-35.
B. 
Temporary leave.
(1) 
Members of the Fire Department shall be allowed three days off from their duties when a death occurs in the immediate family. "Immediate family" shall mean wife, son, daughter, mother, father, sister, brother, grandfather, grandmother, mother-in-law, father-in-law, brother-in-law and sister-in-law. In case of death of another relative, the member will be entitled to one day's leave on the day of the funeral.
(2) 
All temporary leaves of absence shall be cleared through the Fire Chief, or Battalion Chief, subject to the approval of the Mayor.
[Amended 5-7-2020 by Ord. No. 20-09]
C. 
Vacations.
(1) 
Annual vacation leaves shall be granted to members of the Fire Department as follows:
Years of Service
Vacation Time
(weeks)
1 to 5
2
5 to 10
3
10 to 15
4
15 to 20
5
20 to 30
6
(2) 
All members are entitled to one week's leave each year besides their vacation time for holidays.
D. 
Sick leave. Members of the Fire Department are entitled to 15 days' sick leave a year, which time is accumulated from the date of appointment. When a member is injured during his tour of duty, the time off shall not be charged against his sick leave, nor shall sick leave time be charged against him on his regular day off or vacation time.
A. 
All members of the Fire Department are required to be permanent residents of the Borough. They shall be required to report their places of residence and telephone numbers to the Fire Chief, or Battalion Chief, and to report any change of address or telephone number within 24 hours after such change occurs. All members are required to have a thorough knowledge of state laws and all Borough ordinances relating to fire.
[Amended 5-7-2020 by Ord. No. 20-09]
B. 
All fire fighters (No. ls) shall be certified emergency medical technicians (EMTs) at the time of their hire and shall further maintain said certification in good standing during the course of their employment with the Borough.
[Added 4-20-2006 by Ord. No. 06-20]
All promotions shall be made in conformity with civil service rules and regulations.
[Amended 5-7-2020 by Ord. No. 20-09]
The Council shall establish by resolution and may from time to time amend and repeal by resolution such rules and regulations as it may deem necessary for the government and efficient working of the entire Department. The rules and regulations, when adopted, shall be posted by the Fire Chief, or Battalion Chief, in the firehouse within five days after their adoption and a copy thereof delivered to each member of the Department within five days after their adoption or any amendment or repeal thereof.
A. 
Every member of the Fire Department shall be subject to reprimand, deduction of pay, loss of vacation days, suspension from duty, reduction in rank or dismissal, according to the nature of the offense, for any of the following causes or for any violation of the rules and regulations governing the Fire Department:
(1) 
Drinking intoxicating liquors, being visibly under the influence of liquor, drugs or other compounds while on duty or in uniform and visiting while on duty, except in the performance of fire duty, any saloon, tavern, liquor store, club or premises where alcoholic beverages are sold or dispensed. Intoxication while on duty shall be deemed to be one of the most serious offenses.
(2) 
Absence without leave and absence from post of duty without a just cause.
(3) 
Willful disobedience of lawful orders.
(4) 
Using indecent, profane or harsh language.
(5) 
Insubordination or disrespect to a superior officer.
(6) 
Using unnecessary force or violence or committing assault and battery upon a citizen or a fellow member of the Fire Department while on duty.
(7) 
Neglect in paying just debts contracted while on the force.
(8) 
Immorality, indecency or lewdness or contracting venereal disease.
(9) 
Incapacity, either mental or physical, lack of energy or gross ignorance of the laws or rules and regulations of the Fire Department.
(10) 
Violation of any criminal law.
(11) 
Conduct unbecoming an officer or gentleman.
B. 
Drugs.
[Added 1-17-1991 by Ord. No. 90-53]
(1) 
All firemen of the Carteret Fire Department must disclose the use of any drug (prescription and over-the-counter) which may impair job performance.
(2) 
All firemen must report evidence of suspected drug use by other officers to Department superiors.
(3) 
All firemen will be required to submit to mandatory drug testing whenever there is individualized reasonable suspicion to believe that they have been unlawfully using or abusing drugs.
(4) 
All firemen who refuse to submit to lawful orders to undergo drug testing or who produce positive test results for unlawful drug use will be dismissed from employment.
(5) 
A trainee who produces a positive test result indicating unlawful drug use or who refuses to submit a urine sample will be dismissed from the training academy and from his Fire Department position, subject to a hearing.
(6) 
Permanently appointed firemen will be required to undergo further mandatory drug screening whenever there is individualized reasonable suspicion to believe that the fireman is unlawfully using drugs. Firemen will be tested under these circumstances only with the approval of the County Prosecutor or chief executive officer of the Department or his designees.
(7) 
Permanently appointed firemen who produce positive confirmed results indicating unlawful drug use that are upheld after a fair and impartial hearing will be dismissed from employment.
(8) 
A permanently appointed fireman who willfully refuse to submit to urinalysis when there is reasonable suspicion to believe that the fireman is using drugs will be dismissed from employment, if, after a fair and impartial hearing it is determined that the fireman was properly ordered to undergo testing.
(9) 
All supervisors in the Fire Department will be required to undergo in-service training in substance abuse detection.
(10) 
Any changes in policy and procedure guidelines will be incorporated into rules and regulations as changes occur.
[Added 9-2-1998 by Ord. No. 98-42]
A. 
Established.
(1) 
The Mayor and Council hereby establish a Length of Service Award Program for the Volunteer Fire Department.
(2) 
The payments shall be made to the approved Deferred Income Plan so designed by the Borough.
B. 
Amount of contribution.
(1) 
The Borough will contribute to the plan for all active members who meet the requirements outlined in Subsection C in the amount of $500 yearly per qualifying member.
(2) 
All active members of the Carteret Volunteer Fire Department at the time of passage of this section, prior to the public question, shall receive credit for past service not to exceed 10 years at a rate of $200 per year for each year of service, payable 50% in the year 1999 and 50% in the year 2000.
(3) 
All additional $100 per year shall be contributed to the account of each line officer and company officer.
(4) 
The amount so designated in Subsection B(1)  shall increase each year by multiplying the consumer price index as defined by N.J.S.A. 40A:14-185f.
C. 
Qualification.
(1) 
A member qualifying for a year of active service, defined as serving a total of 12 months from January 1 to December 31 of the qualifying year, must earn a minimum of 19 points.
(2) 
For attendance at training courses and/or drills sponsored in house by the Departments members shall earn two points for each course/drill.
(3) 
For response to emergency alarms, points earned are as follows:
Response
Points
0% to 25%
  0
25% to 49%
10
50% to 100%
15
(4) 
Company officers qualifying for additional payments as defined in Subsection B(3) shall serve for a total of 12 months from January 1 to December 31 and attend 80% of all company meetings.
(5) 
Line officers qualifying for additional payments as defined in Subsection B(3) shall serve a total of 12 months from January 1 to December 31 and respond to a minimum of 30% of all alarms.
D. 
Budget. The proposed estimated total amount to be budgeted for the program is as follows:
Year
Budgeted Amount
1999
$50,000
2000
$50,000
2001
$25,000
E. 
Public question. This program shall be submitted to the voters of the Borough of Carteret as a public question for approval in the 1998 General Elections of November 2, 1998.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: This ordinance was approved by the voters of the Borough of Carteret at the general elections held 11-2-1998.
F. 
Certifying officers. The Captain of each company shall be the certifying officer. Certifying reports shall be received by the Borough no later than March of the year. Contributions will be made by June of each year for the preceding year.
G. 
Effective. This section, contingent on passage of the public question, shall become effective on January 1, 1999.
[Added 8-12-1999 by Ord. No. 99-26]
A. 
Established.
(1) 
The Mayor and Council hereby establish a Length of Service Award Program for the Carteret First Aid Squad.
(2) 
The payments shall be made to the approved Deferred Income Plan so designated by the Borough.
B. 
Amount of contribution.
(1) 
The Borough will contribute to the plan for all active members who meet the requirements outlined in Section C in the amount of $500 yearly per qualifying member.
(2) 
All active members of the Carteret First Aid Squad at the time of passage of this section, prior to the public question, shall receive credit for past service not to exceed 10 years at a rate of $200 per year for each year of service, payable 33% in year 2000, 33% in year 2001 and 34% in year 2002.
(3) 
An additional $100 per year shall be contributed to the account of each line officer and executive board member.
(4) 
The amount so designated in Subsection B(1) shall increase each year by multiplying the consumer price index as defined by N.J.S.A. 40A:14-185f.
C. 
Qualifications.
(1) 
A member qualifying for a year of active service is hereby defined as serving a total of 12 months from January 1 to December 31 of the qualifying year and must earn a minimum of 20 points. In the event of an excused leave of absence, a member can still qualify for an award provided that the 20 point minimum is achieved within the calendar year.
(2) 
For attendance at monthly meetings, members shall earn one point for each meeting attended for a maximum of 12 points.
(3) 
For response to first aid calls, points earned are as follows:
Response
Points per Annum
5% to 9%
5
10%
10
Over 10%
15
(4) 
In addition to monthly meetings and first aid calls, points can be earned in the amount of 1 point per activity with a maximum of 15 points. Activities are defined as follows: fire standby, football games, Borough school activities, other Borough events or any other request made to the Squad to stand by Borough and/or private organizations.
(5) 
Squad executive officers qualifying for additional payments as defined in Subsection B(3) shall serve for a total of 12 months from January 1 to December 31 and attend 80% of all meetings.
(6) 
Line officers qualifying for additional payments as defined in Subsection B(3) shall serve for a total of 12 months from January 1 to December 31 and meet the minimum requirements of 20 points.
D. 
Budget. The proposed estimated total amount to be budgeted for the program is as follows:
Year
Budgeted Amount
2000
$20,000
2001
$20,000
2002
$25,000
Each year after
$15,000 per annum
E. 
Public question. This program shall be submitted to the voters of the Borough of Carteret as a public question for approval in the 1999 General Elections of November 2, 1999.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: This ordinance was approved by the voters of the Borough of Carteret at the general election held 11-2-1999.
F. 
Certifying officers. The Captain shall be the certifying officer. Certifying reports shall be received by the Borough no later than March of the year. Contributions will be made by June 1 of each year for the preceding year.
G. 
Effective. This section, contingent on passage of the public question, shall become effective on January 1, 2000.
[Adopted 3-1-2001 by Ord. No. 01-11]
There is hereby created the position of Battalion Fire Chief of the Borough of Carteret. Under direction, the Battalion Fire Chief assists in the management and discipline of the municipal uniformed Fire Department by supervising a group of fire companies engaged in providing fire protection for persons and property; does other related duties.
A. 
The examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A particular position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this job specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed.
B. 
The Battalion Fire Chief:
(1) 
At fires, takes charge of responding companies, deploys fire-fighting forces, orders needed reinforcements, and supervises fire-fighting activities and the use of needed apparatus, equipment, and materials.
(2) 
Makes periodic inspections of fire-fighting personnel and equipment to ensure efficient performance.
(3) 
Inspects Fire Department company headquarters for cleanliness, orderliness, and maintenance of the building, equipment, and apparatus from the standpoint of serviceability.
(4) 
Supervises and takes a leading part in fire prevention activities within an assigned municipal area.
(5) 
Conducts training classes for subordinate fire officers and fire fighters.
(6) 
Speaks before groups of citizens and others on modern fire department methods, procedures, and practices.
(7) 
Makes and supervises the making of investigations of violations of fire laws, ordinances, codes, and fire hazards, and institutes needed action.
(8) 
Makes investigations of fires to determine needed action.
(9) 
Prepares reports.
(10) 
Supervises the establishment of records and files.
(11) 
Plans, organizes, and assigns work of the organizational unit and evaluates employee performance and conduct, enabling the effective recommendation of the hiring, firing, promoting, and disciplining of subordinates.
(12) 
Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
The requirements of Battalion Fire Chief are graduation from high school, vocational high school, or possession of an approved high school equivalency certificate; two years of supervisory experience involving the extinguishing of fires. In accordance with N.J.A.C. 5:73-1.6(b), c and (d), effective February 17, 2000, applicants for this position must possess a valid Incident Management Level 1 certification issued by the New Jersey Division of Fire Safety, Department of Community Affairs.
Applicants must be not less than 18 nor more than 35 years of age at the announced closing date for filing applications for the position. In determining maximum age eligibility of veterans, the time spent in active military service during the periods specified in the Civil Service Law and Rules will be deducted from the attained age. The age requirement does not apply in those jurisdictions whose members are not enrolled in the Police and Fire Pension System. When an applicant has reached his/her 35th birthday, (s)he is considered to be over 35 years old. Age limits are based on the announced closing date for filing Department of Personnel applications.
Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform essential duties of the position. As a prerequisite for appointment, appointees may be required to pass a thorough medical and psychiatric examination to be administered by the appointing authority; any psychological, medical, or physical condition or defect which would prevent efficient performance of the duties of the position, cause the appointee to be a hazard to himself/herself or others, or become aggravated as a result of performance of these duties will be cause for rejection.
The following are qualifications of a Battalion Fire Chief:
A. 
Knowledge of laws and ordinances which are significant from the fire prevention point of view.
B. 
Knowledge of the proper methods of fighting various types of fires.
C. 
Knowledge of the location of schools, large buildings, streets and fire alarm boxes in the municipality.
D. 
Knowledge of the types of communication available for fire use.
E. 
Knowledge of procedures likely to be effective in enlisting the support of citizens and others in taking fire preventative measures.
F. 
Ability to analyze and interpret laws, ordinances, rules, regulations, standards, and procedures and apply them to specific situations and cases.
G. 
Ability to supervise the maintenance and repair of Fire Department buildings and equipment.
H. 
Ability to note and initiate action.
I. 
Ability to obtain new and improved equipment, materials, and supplies.
J. 
Ability to remain cool, decisive, and alert in emergency situations.
K. 
Ability to supervise the performance of fire fighters at fires and the use of equipment and apparatus.
L. 
Ability to speak effectively before large and small groups on subjects relating to fire prevention and the procedures used in fighting fires.
M. 
Ability to make investigations of fire hazards and violations of fire laws and to prepare clear, sound, accurate, and informative reports.
N. 
Ability to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
O. 
Ability to read, write, speak, understand, and communicate in English sufficiently to perform duties of this position. American Sign Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication.
P. 
Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible as long as they can perform essential functions of the job after reasonable accommodation is made to their known limitations. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.