The use of any fire apparatus or equipment belonging to the
Borough shall be entrusted to the Saddle River Fire Association, Inc.,
subject to the oversight of the Public Safety Committee.
No person shall be a full member of the Saddle River Fire Department
until he/she has reached the age of 18 years.
The officers of the Fire Department shall consist of a Chief,
Assistant Chief, Captain, First Lieutenant, and Second Lieutenant.
It shall be the duty of the Chief to submit a report to the
Council at its regular meeting in each month. Such report will summarize
the condition of the Fire Department, including staffing, activities,
call response, condition of the firehouse, apparatus and any other
matters he may deem necessary.
In case of insubordination on the fire ground or at a firematic
event, accusation of criminal conduct or activity or inappropriate
actions identified in the Saddle River employee manual, the Chief
may order a temporary suspension of a Department member for a time
not to exceed 30 days. The Chief shall make a formal report to the
Public Safety Committee. If charges are sustained, the Public Safety
Committee shall inform the Borough Council to determine whether to
extend the suspension or expel such member from the Department.
The Chief, Assistant Chief, Captain, Lieutenant, and Second
Lieutenant may be removed from office at any time upon determination
by the Borough Council for neglect of duty or other just cause, after
charges thereof are made and sustained at a meeting held by the Council,
for that purpose.
Each member of the Department shall be entitled to receive a
badge of the Fire Department. Such badge shall remain the property
of the Borough and be surrendered to the Council on the death, removal,
resignation, suspension, or expulsion of any member. Department officers,
ex-Chiefs and life members may retain possession of their badge once
completing their term in that position.
Any member of the Saddle River Fire Department that has not
successfully completed the Fire Fighter I Course and received the
certificate of completion from the Bergen County Fire Academy shall
be designated as a "probationary firefighter." Said probationary firefighter
will be issued appropriate firefighter turnout gear; the probationary
member shall be designated by an orange helmet shield. Upon completion
of Fire Fighter I, the probationary firefighter shall provide a copy
of the certificate of completion to the Fire Chief. Once the certificate
of completion is filed, the designation as probationary firefighter
shall be removed and the member shall receive a black Saddle River
Fire Department helmet shield. A copy of each member's certificate
shall be given to the Borough Clerk for record.
The bylaws of the Saddle River Association, Inc., and any amendments
thereto must be approved by the Borough Council. Such approved bylaws
shall be on file with the Borough Clerk.