[HISTORY: Adopted by the Township Committee of the Township
of Morris as indicated in article histories. Amendments noted where
applicable.]
[Adopted 12-18-1996 by Ord. No. 27-96 (Ch. 11, Part 1, of
the 1969 Code)]
There is hereby established in the Township of Morris a department
to be hereafter known as the "Township of Morris Fire Department,"
the object of which shall be the prevention of fire and the protection
of life and property within the limits of the Township of Morris.
The Fire Department shall consist of a Fire Chief, a Deputy
Fire Chief, two Battalion Fire Chiefs and as many Captains, Lieutenants
and other firemen deemed necessary under a table of organization required
for the proper operation of the Fire Department and such other officers
and employees as the Township Committee may hereafter deem proper
and by resolution designate. For the purpose of this article, there
shall be three Divisions within the organizational structure of the
Fire Department: Paid Division, Volunteer Division and Fire/Police
Warden Division.
A.
The Fire Chief shall be appointed by the members of the Township
Committee for an indefinite period of time, and his tenure of office
shall depend upon his good conduct and efficiency. The Chief shall
be technically qualified by training and experience and shall have
the ability to command men and hold their respect and confidence.
B.
The Deputy Fire Chief shall meet all of the requisites of Subsection A with reference to his appointment and qualifications. The duties of the Deputy Fire Chief shall be assigned by the Fire Chief. In the absence of the Fire Chief, the Deputy Fire Chief shall assume command of the entire operations of the Fire Department (line/administrative duties).
C.
There shall be two Battalion Chiefs, who shall be appointed pursuant
to the rules and regulations governing the Fire Department, with approval
contingent upon official action of the Chief and members of the Township
Committee. They shall report to the Chief at fires and assist him
in the discharge of his duties. In the absence of the Fire Chief and
Deputy Fire Chief, the Senior Battalion Chief shall command the Fire
Department at all fire incidents (line duties). In the absence of
the Fire Chief, Deputy Fire Chief and Senior Battalion Chief, the
Junior Battalion Chief shall command the Fire Department at all fire
incidents (line duties). In the absence of the Fire Chief and the
Deputy Fire Chief, the senior ranking paid Division officer will assume
all administrative duties of the Fire Department.
D.
In the absence of the Fire Chief, Deputy Fire Chief and both Battalion
Chiefs, the first officer to arrive at the scene shall command the
Fire Department until the arrival of the area Captain or a superior
officer.
E.
The fire force shall be divided into companies which shall be recommended
by the Fire Chief and approved by the Township Committee, based upon
the needs of the community to provide proper fire protection.
F.
Each company of the Fire Department shall be in the direct charge
of a Captain selected by the company pursuant to the rules and regulations
governing the Township of Morris Fire Department with final approval
contingent upon official action by the Chief of the Department and
members of the Township Committee.
G.
Each company of the Fire Department shall select a First Lieutenant
and a Second Lieutenant pursuant to the rules and regulations governing
the Township of Morris Fire Department, with final approval contingent
upon official action by the Chief of the Department and members of
the Township Committee. The First Lieutenant and Second Lieutenant,
in the absence of the Company Captain, shall exercise the same duties
and have the same powers as devolve upon the Captain. At all other
times, the Lieutenants shall perform such duties as the Captain may
direct.
H.
Paid Division members shall be appointed upon suitable application
for employment. Appointment as a member of the Department will be
pursuant to the rules and regulations governing the Township of Morris
Fire Department. Approval for appointment will be contingent upon
official action of the Chief of the Fire Department and members of
the Township Committee. General qualifications for membership in the
Paid Division are as follows:
(1)
Is a citizen of the United States.
(2)
Has attained the age of 18 years through 35 years.
(3)
Is sound in body and of good health sufficient to satisfy the Township
Physician and the Board of Trustees of the Police and Firemen's
Retirement System of New Jersey as to his eligibility for membership
in the retirement system.
(4)
Is able to read, write and speak the English language well and intelligently.
(5)
Is of good moral character.
(6)
Has not been convicted of any criminal offense involving moral turpitude.
(7)
Has complied with all laws of the State of New Jersey.
I.
Volunteer Division members shall be appointed upon suitable application.
The application for membership to the New Jersey State Firemen's
Association will be recognized as suitable application for membership
in the Township of Morris Fire Department. Appointment as a member
of the Department will be pursuant to the rules and regulations governing
the Township of Morris Fire Department. Approval for appointment will
be contingent upon acceptance of the applicant by the fire company
and official action of the Chief of the Department and members of
the Township Committee.
(1)
General qualifications for application for membership in the Volunteer
Division are as follows:
(a)
The
applicant is a citizen of the United States.
(c)
The
applicant has attained the age of 18 years through 45 years.
[Amended 2-18-2015 by Ord. No. 05-15]
(d)
The
applicant is sound in body and of good health sufficient to satisfy
the Township Physician and the Executive Board of the New Jersey State
Firemen's Association as to eligibility for membership in the
State Firemen's Association.
(e)
The
applicant is able to read, write and speak the English language well
and intelligently.
(f)
The
applicant is of good moral character.
(g)
The
applicant has not been convicted of any criminal offense involving
moral turpitude.
(h)
The
applicant has complied with all laws of the State of New Jersey.
(2)
Membership procedures.
(a)
Membership in volunteer fire companies shall be open to all
persons who are able to perform the duties of volunteer firemen, without
discrimination on the basis of an applicant's race, creed, color,
sex, age, national origin, ancestry, marital status or physical handicap.
In order to effectuate this requirement of nondiscrimination, volunteer
fire companies, hereinafter called "companies," shall adhere to the
following admissions procedures:
[1]
Each company shall establish objective qualifications for membership
which shall relate directly and solely to the physical and technical
ability and character fitness of an applicant to perform the vocational
duties of a volunteer fireman or first aid squad member, respectively.
[2]
Each company shall submit a notice to the Township Clerk which
shall include the company's name, address, the names of its officers
and members and the dates of its regular organization meetings. Said
notice shall be posted by the Clerk forthwith.
[3]
Each company shall supply the Clerk of the Township with application
forms, and the Clerk shall distribute them on written request or on
personal request made during normal business hours. Said forms shall
state that applications may be filed either by personal delivery or
by sending them by mail to the Secretary or other designated officer
of the company, whose mailing address shall either appear on the application
form or be available from the Township Clerk.
[4]
The Secretary or other officer designated to receive applications
shall date each application with the time of receipt and shall number
the application according to its order of receipt relative to other
applications.
[5]
Each company shall establish a Membership Committee, consisting
of not more than 15 members, which shall be solely responsible for
evaluating and ruling upon applications for membership. It shall,
within 60 days of receipt of an application by the company, make a
report to the company as to whether or not the applicant qualifies
for membership. Its decision shall be binding on the company, and
no vote of the membership shall be conducted on the issue of whether
an applicant shall be admitted to membership.
[6]
Applicants reported by the Membership Committee to be qualified for membership shall be admitted in the order in which their applications were received as set forth in Subsection I(2)(a)[4]. If at any time the number of applicants found to be qualified exceeds the number of current vacancies on the fire company state firemen's active list, a waiting list shall be established according to the order in which the applications were received, and appointments shall be made therefrom in that same order.
[7]
If the Membership Committee determines that an applicant does
not meet the minimum requirements for membership, the company's
Secretary shall promptly advise the applicant in writing of the rejection
and the qualifications, described with particularity, which he has
not substantially met.
[8]
Any company may require newly accepted applicants to serve a
probationary period of reasonable duration, not to exceed one year.
During such period and at the conclusion thereof, each probationary
member shall be evaluated solely by the officers of the company who
supervise him in the performance of his duties. They may cause the
dismissal of any member during his probationary period only for failure
to perform the established duties of a probationary member in a reasonably
satisfactory manner or other good cause and may do so by notifying
the probationary member in writing of his rejection and the particular
reasons therefor. At the end of the probationary period, said supervising
officers shall determine whether or not the applicant has satisfactorily
performed the duties of a probationary member. If he has, they shall
promptly recommend to the membership that he be admitted to full membership,
and their recommendation shall be binding on the company, and he shall
be so admitted forthwith. If he has not, they shall promptly notify
the probationary member in writing of his rejection and the particular
reasons therefor. No vote of the membership shall be conducted on
the issue of whether any probationary member shall continue as a probationary
member or shall be admitted to full membership.
(b)
Nothing contained in this subsection shall be construed to prevent
any company, in its discretion, from providing intracompany means
for appealing rejections from applications for membership or dismissals
from membership.
(c)
Any person who is rejected or dismissed from membership by any
company shall have the right to challenge such action in accordance
with the procedures set forth in the Law Against Discrimination, N.J.S.A.
10:5-1 et seq.
(d)
All volunteer fire companies of the Township of Morris shall
amend their constitution, bylaws and rules and regulations to effect
the above-stated requirements of the State of New Jersey.
J.
Fire/Police Warden Division.
(1)
Members of the Fire/Police Warden Division must have satisfied all requirements for membership in the Township of Morris Fire Department under Subsection I. Selection to this Division will be pursuant to the rules and regulations governing the Township of Morris Fire Department and will be contingent upon official action and approval of the fire company, with final approval by the Chief of the Department and members of the Township Committee.
(2)
Police powers of Fire/Police Warden Division members are prescribed
under the New Jersey State Statutes, N.J.S.A. 40A:14-54, Firemen in
the performance of their duties to have powers of police officers.
(3)
Duties of Fire/Police Warden Division members shall be prescribed
specifically under the rules and regulations of the Township of Morris
Fire Department.
K.
Junior Firemen's Auxiliary Division. There is hereby established
within the Morris Township Fire Department a division known as the
"Junior Firemen's Auxiliary Division."
[Added 5-1-2004 by Ord. No. 6-04]
(1)
No person shall be eligible for membership in the Junior Firemen's
Auxiliary who is less than 14 or more than 21 years of age. The persons
in this age group desiring to join the Auxiliary shall produce to
the Chief of the Department written permission signed and acknowledged
by a notary public from their parent or guardian.
(2)
In accordance with N.J.S.A. 40A:14-98, there shall be kept on file
in the office of the Chief of the Morris Township Fire Department
a copy of the rules and regulations governing the activities of the
Junior Firemen's Auxiliary.
Fingerprinting and background investigations of all applicants
for acceptance in the Fire Department of the Township of Morris shall
be conducted as follows:
A.
Each applicant to the Township Fire Department shall furnish a classifiable
set of fingerprints to the Township Police Department.
B.
The Police Department is authorized to conduct a field investigation
and directed to conduct a criminal records check on each applicant
for acceptance in the Fire Department.
C.
The Police Department shall prepare a factual summary of the background
investigation and criminal records check of each applicant and transmit
such summary to the Fire Chief for the purpose of determining the
fitness of the applicant. The summary may contain recommendations
to the Fire Chief concerning the suitability for acceptance of an
applicant.
D.
Any applicant for the Township Fire Department who is denied acceptance
on the basis of the investigation summary referred to in this section
may inspect that summary for the purpose of clarifying, explaining
or denying the accuracy of its contents.
Except as otherwise provided by law, no Department 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 such member or officer be suspended, removed or reduced in rank
from or in office, employment or position therein except for just
cause, and then only on written charges and hearing in accordance
with state statutes and the rules and regulations of the Township
of Morris Fire Department; provided, however, that any Department
member of the Paid Division who is absent from duty without just cause
or leave of absence for a continuous period of five days shall cease
to be a member of the Township of Morris Fire Department.
A.
The Fire Chief shall, from time to time, recommend to the Township
Committee rules and regulations, not inconsistent with the laws of
the state or the ordinances of the Township, for the government and
control of the members of the Fire Department, as may be deemed expedient
and proper with a view to making the Fire Department and all the officers
and members thereof efficient, vigilant, prompt and useful to the
Township of Morris. Such rules and regulations shall prescribe the
duties of the members of the Fire Department more specifically and
may provide such penalties, not inconsistent with law, as may be deemed
necessary and expedient for the proper regulation of the Department.
All rules and regulations made pursuant hereto shall be in writing
with three copies filed in the office of the Township Clerk, and adopted
by resolution of the Township Committee, and shall be binding on all
persons subject to the jurisdiction of the Department.
B.
A printed copy of such rules and regulations shall be distributed
to each fire company and be available at fire headquarters upon request.
On adoption, the rules placed in force shall be known as the "Rules
and Regulations for the Administration and Operation of the Fire Department
of the Township of Morris."
C.
All existing agreements and rules and regulations shall remain in
full force and effect until changed or amended pursuant to this article.
All nouns and pronouns in the masculine gender utilized in this
article shall be construed to include the female gender.
All ordinances or parts of ordinances inconsistent with this
article are hereby repealed to the extent of such inconsistencies,
specifically Ordinance No. 28-78, Ordinance No. 36-78, Ordinance No.
5-82 and Ordinance No. 15-87.
[Adopted 10-18-2006 by Ord. No. 23-06; amended in its entirety 3-18-2009 by Ord. No.
4-09 (Ch. 11, Part 2, of the 1969 Code)]
The purpose of the Volunteer Incentive Program (VIP) is to reward
active volunteer members of the Township of Morris Fire Department
for their loyal, diligent and devoted services to the residents of
the Township of Morris.
A.
The VIP shall provide for annual contributions to each eligible member
who earns the amount of points indicated each calendar year (January
1 through December 31).
B.
Annual Township contributions will be set as follows:
|
Number of Points Earned
|
Amount of Annual Contribution
| |
|---|---|---|
|
91 and over
|
$1,220
| |
|
81 to 90
|
$1,000
| |
|
71 to 80
|
$880
| |
|
61 to 70
|
$750
| |
|
50 to 60
|
$650
|
Each fire company shall assign one company officer to be the
Fire Company Coordinator. The Fire Company Coordinator shall be the
link to the Department Program Coordinator. Attendance for activities
shall be tracked on forms provided by the Department at a company
level and forwarded to the Fire Department Coordinator on a monthly
basis for review and computation. The Company Coordinator shall post
the monthly reports on the company bulletin board.
Each active volunteer member shall be credited annually, on
December 31, with points for volunteer services provided to the Township
of Morris Fire Department in accordance with the following schedule:
A.
Training courses: 25 points maximum.
(1)
Courses less than 20 hours in duration: one point per hour, with
a maximum of five points.
(2)
Courses of 20 to 45 hours in duration: five points, plus one point
per hour for each over the initial 20 hours, with a maximum of 10
points.
(3)
Courses over 45 hours in duration: 15 points per course.
C.
Elected or appointed positions: 25 points maximum.
(1)
Completion of one-year term as a fire company line officer (Captain,
First Lieutenant and Second Lieutenant) equals 25 points.
(2)
Completion of one-year term as a fire company administrative representative
(President, Vice President, Treasurer or Secretary) equals 10 points.
Fire companies shall only submit three positions.
(3)
An active volunteer firefighter elected to serve as a delegate to
a firefighters' convention shall also be eligible to receive one point
per meeting; five points maximum.
D.
Qualified apparatus operators: 25 points maximum.
(1)
Those Department members in driver training who have completed at
least half of the required training hours within the calendar year
shall receive 10 points.
(2)
Qualified apparatus operators who qualify or requalify annually and
who also either drive to a minimum of five fire calls or continue
training of five hours per year shall receive 25 points.
E.
Attendance at meetings: 12 points maximum.
(1)
Attendance at fire company monthly meeting, one meeting per month.
F.
Absence and military duty.
(1)
In the Chief's discretion, credit may be given for drills or
meeting attendance to volunteers who missed specific drills and meetings
due to their sickness or unanticipated work requirements.
(2)
Time shall be prorated for new members, starting with their entry
date.
(3)
With respect to any volunteer who has been a volunteer for at least
one year and who is a member of the National Guard or Military Reserve,
in the event that such member is involuntarily called to active duty
or otherwise deployed by the Guard or Reserve (other than regular
monthly meetings and summer duties), said volunteer's points
earned shall be prorated upward to reflect the total which he would
have earned in a full year, had he been available. For example, if
a volunteer misses 47 days for guard duty and is therefore available
for only 318 days, his point total earned during his 318 days will
be multiplied by 365/318 to produce his adjusted score for the year.
G.
Incident response: 100 points maximum. Incident response shall be
based on per company calls.
|
Responses
|
Award of Points
| |
|---|---|---|
|
91% to 100%
|
100
| |
|
81% to 90%
|
90
| |
|
71% to 80%
|
80
| |
|
61% to 70%
|
70
| |
|
51% to 60%
|
60
| |
|
41% to 50%
|
50
| |
|
31% to 40%
|
40
| |
|
21% to 30%
|
30
| |
|
10% to 20%
|
25
|
H.
Miscellaneous activities: 10 points maximum.
(1)
Community-based programs, three-children events: Easter egg hunt,
Halloween and Santa operations.
(2)
Also included in miscellaneous activities shall be company fund-raising
events: fund drive, pancake breakfast, Christmas tree sales.
(3)
Any other events shall have an application submitted to the Fire
Chief for approval prior to the event; a maximum of one point per
event.
I.
Length of service with the Morris Township Fire Department: 15 points
maximum.
|
Years of Service
|
Award of Points
| |
|---|---|---|
|
0 to 5 years of service
|
0
| |
|
6 to 15 years of service
|
1 point for each completed year of service
|
This VIP shall take effect January 1, 2009.
