[Added 12-20-2015 by Ord. No. 2085-16[2]]
[1]
Editor's Note: See also Ch. 19, Fire Department.
[2]
Editor's Note: Former Art. XI, Constables, was repealed 5-6-1993 by Ord. No. 1216-93.
There shall be a Fire Department, the head of which may be the Fire Director. Within the Fire Department, there may be a Fire Chief, who shall be responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Fire Department. The Fire Chief may be appointed to serve as Fire Director, with or without additional compensation.
The Fire Department, as heretofore authorized, organized and administered pursuant to ordinance not inconsistent with the Charter and Code, is continued.
The Fire Department, under the administrative direction and supervision of the Fire Director, shall:
A. 
Have exclusive jurisdiction over the control, fighting and extinguishment of any conflagration which occurs within the City limits.
B. 
Provide firefighting services and facilities for the protection of life and property within the City and in accordance with such mutual aid agreements as may be enforced.
C. 
Operate, repair and maintain a fire alarm signal system.
D. 
Investigate the cause, circumstances and origin of fires and report to the County Prosecutor every case of suspicion of arson.
E. 
Maintain and administer a fire prevention and fire safety inspection service for the City.
A. 
Except as otherwise provided by law, no person shall be appointed as a member of the Fire Department unless such person shall be:
(1) 
A citizen of the United States and a resident of the State of New Jersey.
(2) 
Sound in body and of good health sufficient to satisfy the Board of Trustees of the Police and Firemen's Retirement System of New Jersey that such person is eligible to membership in the retirement system.
(3) 
Able to read, write and speak the English language well and intelligently.
(4) 
Of good moral character and not have been convicted of any crime involving moral turpitude.
B. 
All applicants for the position of fireman shall make written application therefor to the Director of Public Safety and at the same time submit such proof as shall be requested with respect to the above qualifications.
C. 
Appointment of temporary members of the Fire Department shall be in accordance with the provisions of N.J.S.A. 40A:14-13.
Under the administrative supervision of the Fire Director, the Fire Chief shall make and enforce rules and regulations for the control, disposition and discipline of the Department and its officers and employees, for their training and efficiency and for the use and care of equipment and apparatus.
Except as otherwise provided by law, no permanent member or officer of the Fire Department or force shall be removed from his office, employment or position for political reasons or for any cause other than incapacity, misconduct or disobedience of rules and regulations established for the government of the Fire Department and force; nor shall the member or officer be suspended, removed, fined or reduced in rank from or in office, employment or position therein, except for just cause as hereinbefore provided and then only upon a written complaint setting forth the charge or charges against such member or officer.
A. 
Complaint; notice of hearing. The complaint shall be filed with the Chief of the Department, and a copy shall be served upon the member or officer so charged, with notice of a designated hearing thereon by the Employee Hearing Board which shall be not less than 15 nor more than 30 days from date of service of the complaint.
B. 
Failure to comply. A failure to comply with the provisions as to the service of the complaint shall require a dismissal of the complaint. In addition to the hearing, the officer so charged shall supply a written answer to the complaint to the Chief of the Department.
C. 
Hearing outside jurisdiction of Employee Hearing Board. Notwithstanding any of the provisions hereinbefore enumerated, whenever it is the determination of the Fire Director Safety that charges should be brought against an employee within the Fire Department which, in his opinion, are of a nature that would subject the employee to a maximum penalty of suspension or loss of pay for five working days or less, then and in that event the Fire Director may file such charges against the employee and hold a hearing with respect to such charges without the necessity of filing such charges with the Employee Hearing Board. In such case, the Employee Hearing Board shall have no jurisdiction with respect to these charges.