[Amended 9-23-2004 by Ord. No. 04-045; 10-6-2020 by Ord. No. 20-011]
There shall be a Department of Public Safety, the head of which
shall be the Director. Within the Department of Public Safety there
shall be a Police Division, Special Police Officers, the Office of
Juvenile Advisor, the Fire Division and the Office of Municipal Emergency
Management.
[Amended 7-6-1994 by Ord. No. 94-032; 8-21-2002 by Ord. No.
02-027; 2-4-2004 by Ord. No. 04-007; 9-23-2004 by Ord. No.
04-045; 1-17-2006 by Ord. No. 06-004; 9-3-2008 by Ord. No.
08-042; 10-6-2020 by Ord. No. 20-011]
A. There is hereby created in and for the Township a Police Division
which shall consist of no more than one Chief of Police, four captains,
12 lieutenants, and such number of sergeants and police officers as
authorized by separate ordinance.
B. The Police Division shall preserve the public peace; protect life
and property; detect, arrest and prosecute offenders of the laws of
New Jersey and the ordinances of the Township; direct and control
traffic; provide attendance and protection during emergencies; provide
appearances in court; cooperate with all other law enforcement agencies;
and provide training for the efficiency of its members and officer.
C. The Director of Public Safety, or in the absence of the Director
of Public Safety, the Mayor, shall be designated as the appropriate
authority as provided in N.J.S.A. 40A:14-118. The appropriate authority
shall be responsible for the overall performance of the Police Division.
The appropriate authority shall adopt and promulgate rules and regulations
for the government of the Police Division and for the discipline of
its members.
D. The Chief of Police shall be the head of the Police Division and
shall be directly responsible to the appropriate authority for its
efficiency and day-to-day operations. Pursuant to policies established
by the appropriate authority, the Chief of Police shall:
(1) Administer and enforce the rules and regulations of the Police Division
and any special emergency directive for the disposition and discipline
of the Division and its members and officers;
(2) Serve as the hearing officer for all disciplinary matters within
the Police Division. In those disciplinary matters where the Chief
of Police cannot serve as hearing officer, the appropriate authority
or his/her designee shall act as the hearing officer;
(3) Have, exercise and discharge the functions, powers and duties of
the Police Division;
(4) Prescribe the duties and assignments of all members and officers;
(5) Delegate such authority as may be deemed necessary for the efficient
operation of the Police Division to be exercised under the Chief's
direction and control; and
(6) Report at least monthly to the appropriate authority in such form
as shall be prescribed on the operations of the Police Division during
the preceding month and make such other reports as may be requested
by the appropriate authority.
E. No person shall be appointed to the Police Division who is not qualified
as provided in the New Jersey Statutes. The appropriate authority
may also require that an applicant for appointment to the Police Division
shall successfully complete a physical, mental and psychological examination.
[Amended 8-21-2002 by Ord. No. 02-027; 10-6-2020 by Ord. No. 20-011]
The Mayor may appoint from time to time special law enforcement
officers in accordance with state law for terms not exceeding one
year. The special law enforcement officers shall possess and exercise
all the powers and duties provided by said statutes during their term
in office, but shall not be continued as regular members of the Police
Division and shall not be entitled to tenure. The Chief of Police
may authorize special law enforcement officers when on duty to exercise
the same powers and authority as regular members of the Police Division
including the carrying of firearms and the power of arrest.
[Amended 9-23-2004 by Ord. No. 04-045; 10-6-2020 by Ord. No. 20-011]
The civilian section of the Police Division shall consist of
the following:
A. Police Surgeon. The Police Surgeon conducts all medical examinations
of police officers, including new patrolmen, to determine their fitness.
He makes recommendations related to continued service of members,
examines the members of the force who are about to retire because
of age or physical disability, gives emergency medical treatment to
members of the force who are injured in line of service, assigns them
to hospitals, visits them and gives post-hospital treatment, gives
emergency medical treatment at the scenes of accidents, examines members
of the police force returning to active service from sick leave, and
keeps needed medical and other records in files. The Police Surgeon
is a physician licensed to practice in the state, with a minimum of
one year of experience as a physician.
B. Police Matron. The Police Matron, under the general direction of
the Police Division, guards and searches apprehended females and performs
related work as assigned. She helps to maintain order and discipline
among female prisoners, searches female prisoners, assists police
officers in the questioning of prisoners and gives needed first aid
in case of accidents.
C. Public Safety Telecommunicators. The Public Safety Telecommunicator
receives complaints from the public concerning crimes and police emergencies;
broadcasts orders to police radio patrol vehicles or patrolmen to
investigate complaints; relays instructions or questions from remote
units; records calls, broadcasts any complaints that are received;
prepares and maintains a variety of records, such as police logs,
blotters and files; and does related work as required.
D. School traffic guard. The school traffic guard regulates and directs
the movement of schoolchildren at a street intersection, paying particular
attention to their safety, and performs other related work as required.
E. Other personnel. The section also consists of clerical workers and
other personnel assigned to the Police Division.
[Amended 10-6-2020 by Ord. No. 20-011]
A. Appointment. There may be an officer of the Township known as the
Juvenile Advisor, who shall be appointed by the Mayor with the advice
and consent of the Council for a term of one year beginning January
1 in the year in which his appointment shall be made.
B. Duties. The duties of the Advisor shall be part-time. He shall work
under and be directly responsible to the Director of Public Safety.
He shall have referred to him through the Director of Public Safety
all matters involving juvenile delinquency in the Township and shall
handle all matters involving juvenile delinquency which are not inconsistent
with the power and authority now exercised by the Municipal Judge
and other public officials. In addition, he shall:
(1) Initiate investigations, hold investigations and hearings, counsel
and advise on matters dealing with juvenile delinquency.
(2) Make records and reports of his investigations, hearings and conferences,
which shall be confidential in nature. He shall coordinate with the
various authorities and departments, particularly the Police Division,
in all matters affecting juveniles and juvenile delinquency.
(3) Issue notices and orders necessary for the purpose of enforcing compliance
with matters dealing with investigations.
(4) Perform any of the other duties required of him by any other ordinance
of the Township.
[Added 9-17-2003 by Ord. No. 03-039; amended 10-6-2020 by Ord. No. 20-011]
A. Any person who is arrested for operating a motor vehicle in violation
of N.J.S.A. 39:4-50 shall be held in protective custody at an appropriate
police or other facility where the person's condition may be monitored.
The person shall be released from protective custody when that person
is considered to no longer be a danger to himself or others. A person
may be considered to no longer be a danger to himself or others when
the person's blood alcohol concentration is less than 0.05%, the person
is no longer under the influence of any intoxicating liquor or narcotic,
hallucinogenic or habit-forming drug to the extent that the person's
facilities are impaired, together with any other relevant criteria.
B. In no event shall the Township's Police Department hold a person
arrested for operating a motor vehicle in violation of N.J.S.A. 39:4-50
in the protective custody set forth in this section for a period of
longer than eight hours without providing an appropriate hearing before
a Municipal Court Judge.
C. Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, provided that it
is not a detriment to the public safety, the Township's Police Department
may, because of the age, health or safety of the arrested person,
release the person pursuant to the provisions of N.J.S.A. 39:4-50.22
et seq., or provide an appropriate alternative to protective custody.
The Township, its Police Department, and the individual police officers
and representatives shall be immune from liability of any kind if
a person is released from custody pursuant to the provisions of this
subsection.
D. Nothing in this section shall be construed as requiring the use of
state police facilities by the Township for purposes of implementing
the protective custody provided for in this section.
[Added 12-6-2005 by Ord. No. 05-047; amended 10-6-2020 by Ord. No. 20-011]
A. Mutual aid agreements established. Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40A:14-156
and N.J.S.A. 40A:14-156.1 et seq., there are hereby established mutual
aid agreements among and between the Township of Hamilton and each
of the aforementioned municipalities in the County of Mercer, New
Jersey, which shall become effective upon the adoption by one or more
of the aforementioned municipalities (hereinafter referred to as "participating
municipalities") of reciprocal ordinances to provide mutual aid in
police services in case of emergency. This agreement shall apply whenever
this municipality may have an emergency within its boundaries requiring
additional police assistance to protect life and property, and whenever
any of the aforementioned municipalities may experience a similar
emergency.
B. Emergency defined, S.O.P. For purposes of this section, the term
"emergency" shall be defined to include situations in which the number
of available police officers in a participating municipality is insufficient
to meet the public need in a particular situation and situations where
police aid involving special expertise, training, or equipment is
required in order to protect life and property or to assist in suppressing
a riot or disorder. No formal declaration of emergency is required
to implement the provisions of the mutual aid agreement.
C. Requests for assistance. The Police Chief, Police Director, or acting
head of the Police Department, or Mayor, or chief executive officer
of a participating municipality is hereby authorized to request assistance
from the Chief or other head of the Police Department of any other
participating municipality to provide aid in accordance with N.J.S.A.
40A:14-156 et seq.
D. Provision of assistance. A participating municipality shall provide
police assistance when a valid request in accordance with this agreement
to supply personnel is made, to the extent possible without endangering
persons or property within the confines of the providing municipality.
E. Powers, rights, immunities. The members of the providing municipality's
Police Department supplying aid shall have the same powers, authorities,
rights, and immunities as the members of the police force of the requesting
municipality when aid is rendered therein. Said members shall also
have, while so acting, such rights and immunities as they may otherwise
enjoy in the performance of their normal duties in the municipality
rendering such assistance.
F. County Critical Incident Management Plan. These mutual aid agreements
established herein by and between the aforementioned municipalities
in the County of Mercer shall further authorize mutual police aid
and assistance under the County Critical Incident Management Plan
as established by the Mercer County Prosecutor as the chief law enforcement
official in the county. The plan provides for a response by specially
trained regional emergency response/special weapons and tactics team
in the event of certain hostage, barricade, sniper, high-risk armed
apprehensions, terrorist, or similar situations occurring within a
municipality within the County of Mercer.
G. Benefits, injury, death. Members of the police force of the providing
municipality suffering injury, or their legal representatives, if
death results while rendering assistance in the requested municipality,
shall be entitled to all such salary, pension rights, workers' compensation,
or other benefits, as they would have accrued if such injury or death
had occurred in the performance of duties in their own municipality,
with such benefits to be the responsibility of the providing municipality.
H. Reimbursement.
(1) A municipality receiving police assistance hereunder pursuant to
the terms of the County Critical Incident Management Plan shall not
be required to directly reimburse the regional team for services so
provided. The member municipalities shall, however, otherwise support
the function of the respective regional response teams by providing
the necessary manpower, equipment, and supplies on an ongoing annual
basis pursuant to the terms of the County Critical Incident Management
Plan.
(2) Where emergency police aid is otherwise provided under circumstances
outside of the County Critical Incident Management Plan, reimbursement
shall be pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40A:14-156, or such other terms and
conditions for reimbursement specifically agreed to between specific
municipalities.
I. Internal affairs. Any complaints of an internal-affairs nature made
against an officer for conduct while serving in a municipality other
than his/her home municipality pursuant to this mutual aid agreement
shall be investigated by appropriately designated police officials
from the home municipality. This investigation may be assisted by
police officers from the municipality where the alleged incident occurred.
Any allegations of potential criminal conduct by an officer shall
be immediately referred to the Mercer County Prosecutor's Office for
review.
J. Effective date. This section shall take effect upon final passage
and publication according to law. It shall become effective with respect
to this municipality's activities with another participating municipality,
when such other participating municipality has adopted an ordinance
reciprocal to this one, and such ordinance has become effective in
that municipality.
[Added 7-22-2004 by Ord. No. 04-033; amended 12-9-2004 by Ord. No.
04-051; 3-16-2005 by Ord. No. 05-006; 4-22-2010 by Ord. No.
10-012; 10-6-2020 by Ord. No. 20-011]
A. Purpose. The purpose of this section is to establish a policy regarding
the hiring and use of off-duty Hamilton Township police officers.
(1) Members of the Police Division shall be permitted to accept police-related
employment only during off-duty hours and only at such time as will
not interfere with the efficient performance of regularly scheduled
or emergency duty for the Township.
(2) Any person or entity wishing to employ off-duty police officers shall
first obtain the approval of the Chief of Police or his designee,
which approval shall be granted if, in the opinion of the Chief of
Police or his designee, such employment would not be inconsistent
with the efficient functioning and good reputation of the Police Division,
and would not reasonably endanger or threaten the safety of the officer
or officers who are to perform the work.
B. Insurance requirement.
(1) No party or employer shall employ any off-duty Township police officer
in order to perform the services of security guard, traffic control
officer or plain clothes surveillance officer without having first
filed with the Township's Municipal Clerk a certificate of comprehensive
general liability insurance in the amount of not less than $1,000,000
combined single limits for any one occurrence with respect to injuries
and damages suffered or caused by Township police officers while in
the employ of the party or employer. Said certificate shall list the
Township, the Township's Police Division and municipal officials,
representatives and employees as additional insureds.
(2) No certificate of insurance required by this section shall be deemed
filed with the Municipal Clerk unless it has first been approved by
the Township's Municipal Attorney.
(3) Any and all policies of insurance evidenced by any certificate filed
hereunder shall be maintained by the party or employer in full force
and effect at all times while any Township police officer is employed
by such party or employer. Upon the change or renewal of any such
policy of insurance, the party or employer shall forthwith file with
the Municipal Clerk a new and current certificate of insurance in
compliance with the foregoing provisions.
(4) In the event of an emergency, which results in the person or entity
being precluded from complying with the requirements of this subsection,
the Chief of Police or his designee shall have the authority to waive
said insurance prerequisite prior to approving the use of off-duty
officers for certain police-related employment.
C. Hold harmless. In addition to the aforesaid requirements, the party
or employer shall indemnify and hold harmless the Township, the Township's
Police Division and the municipality's officials, representatives
and employees, from and against any claim, liability, damage or expense
that may arise out of or relate to the actions of:
(1) Any Township police officers employed by the party or employer, including
any claims concerning the alleged negligence of the Township's police
officers; and
(2) The party or employer, its employees, officers and representatives.
D. Escrow accounts.
(1) Except as provided herein below, any party or employer requesting the services of an off-duty Township police officer shall estimate the number of hours such law enforcement services are required, which estimate shall be approved in writing by the Chief of Police or his designee, and shall establish an escrow account with the Chief Financial Officer of the Township by depositing an amount sufficient to cover the rates of compensation and administrative fees set forth in Subsection
F herein below for the total estimated hours of service.
(2) If the amount required to be deposited with the Township pursuant to Subsection
D(1) herein above exceeds $20,000, an escrow deposit of $20,000 shall be required. Said $20,000 deposit shall be maintained until such time as the amount required to be deposited for all remaining services on any given project shall be less than $20,000, and then such lesser amount shall be required to be maintained.
(3) Prior to posting any request for services of off-duty Township police
officers, the Chief of Police or his designee shall verify that the
balance in the escrow account of the party or employer requesting
services is sufficient to cover the compensation and fees for the
number of hours specified in the request for services. The Chief of
Police or his designee shall not post a request for services from
any party or employer unless all fees and compensation required in
the manner described above have been deposited with the Township's
Chief Financial Officer. No officer shall provide any such services
for more hours than are specified in the request for services.
(4) In the event the funds in such an escrow account should become depleted,
services of off-duty police officers shall cease and requests for
further or future services shall not be performed or posted until
additional funds have been deposited in the escrow account in the
manner prescribed above.
(5) The party or person requesting such services shall be responsible
for ensuring that the sufficient funds remain in the escrow account
in order to avoid any interruption of services.
(6) Houses of worship, private schools, charities and local public schools shall be exempt from the requirements for the posting of an escrow deposit and from the Township administrative fee described in Subsection
F, Rates of compensation; administrative fees; payment for service, below.
[Amended 6-20-2017 by Ord. No. 17-024; 7-18-2017 by Ord. No. 17-029]
(7) In the event of an emergency, which results in the person or entity
being precluded from timely complying with the requirements of this
subsection, the Chief of Police or his designee shall have the authority
to waive the escrow account prerequisite and approve the use of off-duty
officers for certain police-related employment. This waiver shall
be limited to the escrow account/prepayment aspect of this subsection.
The person or entity requesting the law enforcement services shall
remain fully responsible for paying for same. In the event the person
or entity requesting the off-duty police services fails to submit
payment within 30 days of the approval of the use of the off-duty
police officers, the Township shall not be responsible for paying
the subject officers for their off-duty services. The police officers
will be limited in their remedies to pursuing payment from the person
or entity who requested, and received, the services.
E. Requests for services. All requests to the Township for services
of off-duty police officers for a period of one week or longer shall
be forwarded to the Chief of Police for posting at least 10 days before
such services are required. The Chief of Police or his designee may
relax this time restriction in the event of an emergency. Any police
officers, when so employed, shall be treated as an employee of the
Township; provided, however, that wages earned for outside employment
shall not be applied toward the pension benefits of police officers
so employed, nor shall hours worked for outside employment be considered
in any way as compensable overtime.
F. Rates of compensation; administrative fees; payment for services. Rates of compensation for contracting the services of off-duty Township police officers, including an administrative fee, for the following assignments shall be as set forth in Chapter
215, Fees, of the Township Code:
[Amended 9-17-2013 by Ord. No. 13-036; 7-18-2017 by Ord. No. 17-029]
(1) For all nontraffic assignments.
(2) For all traffic assignments.
(3) For all construction project traffic assignments.
G. Use of marked police vehicles. In the event that a party or employer employs any off-duty Township police officer pursuant to this section, in addition to any compensation to be paid to the Township pursuant to the requirements herein, there shall also be a fee as set forth in Chapter
215, Fees, per hour per vehicle for the use of marked police vehicles.
[Amended 7-18-2017 by Ord. No. 17-029]
H. Penalty. Any person or entity who employs off-duty Township police officers in order to perform the above services without first having complied with the requirements of this section shall be subject to the fines set forth in §
1-2 of the Code of the Township of Hamilton for each day that the party or entity employs any Township police officer, unless a waiver of said requirements has been granted by the Chief of Police or his designee.
[Added 10-6-2020 by Ord. No. 20-011; amended 12-15-2020 by Ord. No.
20-057]
A. Establishment. There is hereby created in and for the Township of
Hamilton the Hamilton Township Fire Division which shall consist of
such officers and firefighters pursuant to authority vested in the
municipality pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40A:14-7 and as hereinafter prescribed.
B. Qualifications. Qualifications for paid members of the Fire Division
shall be as set forth in N.J.S.A. 40A:14-9, 40A:14-9.8, and 40A:14-10.1.
C. Officers. The Fire Division officers shall consist of the Fire Chief,
and other officers and civilian staff deemed necessary by the governing
body and shall be appointed to positions to meet the needs of the
Fire Division and subject to the New Jersey Civil Service Commission
rules and regulations. The command structure shall be as follows:
one Fire Chief; a minimum of two Deputy Chiefs with a maximum of four
Deputy Chiefs; and a minimum of four Battalion Chiefs with a maximum
of eight Battalion Chiefs. The terms of office shall be set forth
in N.J.S.A. 40A:14-9. The Fire Chief shall be the head of the Fire
Division.
[Amended 7-19-2022 by Ord. No. 22-026]
D. The Fire Chief shall be the head of the Fire Division, have full
operational command control and shall be directly responsible to the
Director of Public Safety, or in the absence of the Director of Public
Safety, the Mayor, for its efficiency and day-to-day operations. Pursuant
to policies established by the Director of Public Safety or the Mayor,
the Fire Chief shall:
(1) Administer and enforce the rules and regulations of the Fire Division
and any special emergency directive for the disposition and discipline
of the Division, its officers, members and volunteers;
(2) Serve as the hearing officer for all disciplinary matters within
the Fire Division. In those disciplinary matters where the Fire Chief
cannot serve as hearing officer, the appropriate authority or the
Fire Chief's designee shall act as the hearing officer;
(3) Have, exercise and discharge the functions, powers and duties of
the Fire Division;
(4) Prescribe the duties and assignments of all officers, members and
volunteers;
(5) Delegate such authority as may be deemed necessary for the efficient
operation of the Fire Division to be exercised under the Fire Chief's
discretion and control; and
(6) Report at least monthly to the Director of Public Safety or the Mayor
in such form as shall be prescribed on the operations of the Fire
Division during the preceding month and makes such other reports as
may be requested.
[Added 12-15-2020 by Ord. No. 20-057]
A. For the purpose of efficient firefighting response, there shall be
accepted within the Division of Fire, volunteer personnel overseen
by the Fire Chief and/or Deputy Fire Chiefs. All volunteer personnel
shall be 18 years of age or older and a resident of Hamilton.
B. Volunteer firefighters shall serve under the supervision of the Fire
Chief and/or Deputy Chiefs and shall be responsible for compliance
with all laws, ordinances, rules, guidelines and regulations related
to the Division of Fire.
C. The Division of Fire shall accept volunteer personnel to assist with
firefighting operations within the Division. Such volunteers shall
be subject to an application process including an interview conducted
by the Fire Chief/Deputy Chief, a background investigation, a medical
and physical investigation, and a physical performance evaluation.
The background investigation and medical and physical examination
shall be the same as conducted for career personnel.
D. Prospective volunteer personnel are not required to possess any specific
fire related training upon application. Training will be provided
by the Division of Fire and/or applicable training academy upon successful
completion of the application process.
E. Volunteer personnel accepted within the Division of Fire shall consist
of:
(1) Active probationary members: Personnel who have less than one year
of service within the Division, and/or do not possess a New Jersey
State Fire Fighter 1 certification.
(2) Active firefighter: Personnel who have served minimally one year
of service within the Division, and possess a valid New Jersey Fire
Fighter 1 certification.
(3) Life member: A legacy member of the former Township of Hamilton volunteer
fire companies, who at the time of consolidation, achieved such membership
and had served at least 20 years as an active firefighter. Life members
will continue to be recognized personnel within the Division of Fire.
Life members are not regarded as active firefighters but may continue
to participate within the Division of Fire. No additional life members
will be accepted within the Division of Fire under the current organizational
structure.
(4) Inactive member: A legacy member of the former Township of Hamilton
volunteer fire companies, who at the time of consolidation, participated
in non-active firefighting activities of the organization. Inactive
members of the organization who were in existence at the time of consolidation
may continue their service within the Division of Fire. No additional
inactive members will be accepted within the Division of Fire under
the current organization.
(5) Fire police members: A former Township of Hamilton volunteer fire
company non-suppression/fire police member, who at the time of consolidation,
participated in fire police activities of the organization. Fire Police
members who were in existence at the time of consolidation may continue
their service within the Division of Fire under the supervision of
the Fire Chief and/or Deputy Fire Chiefs.
(6) Retired volunteer personnel: Suppression personnel that retire from
active suppression services to the Fire Division after 10 years of
service and in good standing with the Fire Division shall retain all
the rights and privileges of said membership.
[Added 12-15-2020 by Ord. No. 20-057]
A. Mutual aid agreements established. Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40A:14-156.1
and N.J.S.A. 40A:14-156.2, there are hereby established mutual aid
agreements among and between the Township of Hamilton and the municipalities
located in the Counties of Mercer, Burlington, Monmouth and Ocean,
New Jersey, which shall become effective upon the adoption by one
or more of the aforementioned municipalities (hereinafter referred
to as "participating municipalities") of reciprocal ordinances to
provide mutual aid in fire services in case of emergency. This agreement
shall apply whenever this municipality may have an emergency within
its boundaries requiring additional fire assistance to protect life
and property, and whenever any of the aforementioned municipalities
may experience a similar emergency.
B. Emergency defined, S.O.P. For purposes of this section, the term
"emergency" shall be defined to include situations in which the number
of available firefighters in a participating municipality is insufficient
to meet the public need in a particular situation and situations where
firefighting aid involving special expertise, training, or equipment
is required in order to protect life and property. No formal declaration
of emergency is required to implement the provisions of the mutual
aid agreement.
C. Requests for assistance. The Fire Chief, Mayor, or chief executive
officer of a participating municipality is hereby authorized to request
assistance from the Fire Chief or other head of the Fire Division
or Department of any other participating municipality to provide aid
in accordance with N.J.S.A. 40A:14-156.1 et seq.
D. Provision of assistance. A participating municipality shall provide
firefighting assistance when a valid request in accordance with this
agreement to supply personnel is made, to the extent possible without
endangering persons or property within the confines of the providing
municipality.
E. Powers, rights, immunities. The members of the providing municipality's
Fire Division or Department supplying aid shall have the same powers,
authorities, rights, and immunities as the members of the Fire Division
or Department of the requesting municipality when aid is rendered
therein. Said members shall also have, while so acting, such rights
and immunities as they may otherwise enjoy in the performance of their
normal duties in the municipality rendering such assistance.
F. Benefits, injury, death. Should firefighters of the providing municipality
suffer injury, or their legal representatives, if death results while
rendering assistance in the requested municipality, the firefighters
shall be entitled to all such salary, pension rights, workers' compensation,
or other benefits, as they would have accrued if such injury or death
had occurred in the performance of duties in their own municipality,
with such benefits to be the responsibility of the providing municipality.
G. Reimbursement. Where emergency firefighting aid is provided to a
requesting municipality, reimbursement shall be made pursuant to such
terms and conditions for reimbursement specifically agreed to between
specific municipalities.
H. Effective date. This section shall take effect upon final passage
and publication according to law. It shall become effective with respect
to this municipality's activities with another participating municipality,
when such other participating municipality has adopted an ordinance
reciprocal to this one, and such ordinance has become effective in
that municipality.
[Added 12-15-2020 by Ord. No. 20-057]
A. Officers, Members, civilians and volunteers of the Fire Division
shall be permitted to accept fire-related employment only during off-duty
hours and only at such time as will not interfere with the efficient
performance of regularly scheduled or emergency duty for the Township.
B. Any person or entity wishing to employ off-duty employees of the
Fire Division shall first obtain the approval of the Fire Chief or
designee, which approval shall be granted if in the opinion of the
Fire Chief or the designee, such employment would not be inconsistent
with the efficient functioning and good reputation of the Fire Division,
and would not unreasonably endanger or threaten the safety of the
employees who are to perform the work.
C. All employees of the Fire Division shall comply with requirements of §
45-15 of the Hamilton Township Code concerning outside employment.
D. Hold Harmless. The outside employer shall indemnify and hold harmless
the Township, the Township's Fire Division, and the Township's officials,
representatives and employees, from and against any claim, liability,
damage or expense that may arise out of or relate to the actions of:
(1) Any Township Fire Division employee during the course of outside
employment, including claims concerning the alleged negligence of
the Township's employee; and
(2) The outside employer or its employees, officers and representatives.
[Added 10-3-2023 by Ord. No. 23-040]
A. The position of the Volunteer Fire Chaplain(s) for the Hamilton Township
Fire Division is hereby created. The position of Volunteer Fire Chaplain(s)
shall be a member of the Hamilton Fire Division and under the direction
of the Chief of the Hamilton Township Fire Division or his/her delegate.
There is no rank, salary or benefits accorded to the Volunteer Fire
Chaplain(s).
B. The Chief of Hamilton Fire Division may appoint one or more persons
as Fire Chaplain. He/she shall be a clergyperson in good standing
in the religious body from which he/she is selected. The religious
body must have a physical presence within Hamilton Township or a neighboring
municipality within Mercer County.
C. The duties of the Volunteer Fire Chaplain(s) shall include, but not
be limited to, assisting the Hamilton Township Fire Division personnel
and their families in times of need, when requested to respond to
the scene of Fire Division operations, to assist the Officer in Command
as directed, and any other duties that may be assigned by the Fire
Chief.
D. All communications, conversation and interactions with others, in
the context of spiritual guidance or pastoral care, must be kept in
strict confidence by the Fire Chaplain.
E. A person appointed as a Fire Chaplain shall serve at the will and
pleasure of the Fire Chief and serve in the capacity of a Fire Chaplain
until he/she is terminated.
F. The Township of Hamilton, by virtue of creating this position, does
not establish a religion for the Township.
[Added 10-6-2020 by Ord. No. 20-011; amended 12-15-2020 by Ord. No.
20-057]
A. There shall be an Office of Emergency Management, pursuant to N.J.S.A.
App. A:9-40.1 et seq. and Executive Order No. 101, in the Department
of Public Safety, and there shall be a Coordinator of Emergency Management.
B. The Coordinator of Emergency Management shall be responsible for
the planning, coordinating, directing and control of emergency management
operations.
C. All departments of the Township shall cooperate with and assist the
Office.