[Adopted as Ch. 11 of the 1973 Code]
No person shall hereafter become an active member of the Somerdale
Fire Department unless such person is above the age of 18 years, is
a citizen of the United States or at least a resident alien lawfully
residing in the United States, speaks and understands the English
language, is a resident, taxpayer, lessor or employee of the Borough
or at least works or resides in such close proximity to the Borough
as to be able to reasonably respond as a volunteer fireman on a timely
basis, and is in a good condition of physical fitness to perform the
duties of a fireman in accordance with a certificate to that effect
made and signed by a properly licensed, practicing physician of the
State of New Jersey after due physical examination has been given.
In addition, no person shall hereafter become an active member who
shall not otherwise qualify in accordance with the By-Laws of the
Somerdale Volunteer Fire Company.
[Amended 11-7-1990 by Ord. No. 90:12]
Every active member of the Somerdale Fire Department shall,
in each and every year, perform at least 35% of duty, said 35% being
composed of answering fire alarms, actual attendance and duty at fires
but not exceeding 20 drills in each and every year. Notwithstanding
this provision, every member is required to perform 60% of fire duty,
pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40A:14-56, in order to be entitled to an exempt
fireman certificate under state law.
[Amended 11-7-1990 by Ord. No. 90:12]
Every person seeking to join the Somerdale Fire Department shall make application to the Somerdale Volunteer Fire Company and upon his election to membership by vote of a majority of the members of the Somerdale Volunteer Fire Company present and voting, and after complying with the provisions of § 19-1 and all applicable provisions of the bylaws of the Somerdale Volunteer Fire Company, he or she shall become a member in good standing of the Somerdale Fire Department.
[Amended 11-7-1990 by Ord. No. 90:12]
The officers of the Somerdale Fire Department shall consist
of a Chief and as many Assistant Chiefs or other officers, such as
Captain and Lieutenant, as many be required or thought advisable by
the Somerdale Volunteer Fire Company.
[Amended 9-12-1990 by Ord. No. 90:09; 11-7-1990 by Ord. No. 90:12]
A.
At the reorganization meeting of the Mayor and Council in January
of each and every year, the Mayor and Council shall appoint a Fire
Chief who shall be the duly elected Chief of the Somerdale Volunteer
Fire Company in accordance with the bylaws of said company.
B.
All officers and members of the Somerdale Fire Department shall serve
without pay.
There shall be only one volunteer fire company recognized within
the Borough of Somerdale, which shall be the Somerdale Volunteer Fire
Company.
No person shall be eligible for the office of Chief, First Assistant
Chief or any Chief Officer position who has not served as an active
volunteer fireman in the Borough of Somerdale for two years next preceding
his election.
Any member of the Somerdale Fire Department who completes the
time required by law to become exempt shall serve seven years as an
active fireman under municipal control and will therefore be entitled
to apply for an exempt certificate, which certificate of exemption
shall be issued by the Mayor and Council and/or State Relief Association
upon certification by the Secretary of the Somerdale Volunteer Fire
Department Company, signed by him and the President of the Somerdale
Volunteer Fire Company. Said member, upon completion of his term of
service of seven years, or a member of the Department incapacitated
by illness and unable to serve as an active fireman, may retire as
an active member upon certification by a practicing physician that
said member is physically or mentally unfit for further service as
an active fireman.
[Amended 11-7-1990 by Ord. No. 90:12]
The Somerdale Volunteer Fire Company shall have a Secretary,
who shall be elected by ballot at the annual meeting of the Somerdale
Volunteer Fire Company in each and every year.
[Amended 11-7-1990 by Ord. No. 90:12]
The Secretary of the Somerdale Volunteer Fire Company shall
submit to the Secretary of the Local Firemen's Relief Association
and to the Borough Clerk a complete list of all active members of
the Department. Said list, when filled, shall carry the name of the
member, date of joining the Department and age at time of joining.
Said Secretary shall annually file supplemental lists showing any
additions, resignations or changes in membership made necessary by
whatever cause. Said list so submitted shall give the name of the
member, date of action so recorded and other information necessary
for keeping a complete record of the active membership of the Department.
On or before the last Monday in June and December of each year,
the Secretary shall furnish the Fire Chief with the names of any and
all members who have died, resigned or been expelled, to the end that
such names shall appear in the Fire Chief's semiannual report
to the Mayor and Council, and in addition thereto, the Fire Chief
shall report monthly to the Mayor and Council concerning a report
of any and all fires occurring during the preceding month and as to
the condition in general of the Somerdale Fire Department, its equipment
and apparatus.
No person who shall be suspended or expelled from the Somerdale
Fire Department shall, for the time being, run any of the apparatus
or interfere with or handle the same in any way, shape or manner.
It shall be the duty of the officers to prevent all improper
persons from in any way handling or interfering with the apparatus
of the Somerdale Fire Department, to prevent any racing of their vehicles
or apparatus, and during Somerdale Fire Department sanctioned activities
to abstain and to cause all members to abstain from any conduct likely
to cause a breach of the peace or bring discredit on the Somerdale
Fire Department.
All fire apparatus shall have, subject to the provisions of
the Traffic Act, the right-of-way over any and all vehicles, ambulances
excepted, in responding to an alarm of fire.
[Amended 11-7-1990 by Ord. No. 90:12]
A.
The Somerdale Fire Department may provide for the appointment of
certain of its members to perform certain police duties at fires and
fire drills, for a term of office not exceeding five years from the
date of the appointment. Such members shall, before entering upon
their duties, qualify by taking and subscribing to an oath that they
will justly, impartially and faithfully discharge their duties according
to the best of their ability and understanding. Said oath shall be
administered by the Borough Clerk and subscribed to in duplicate.
The original copy of said oath shall be filed with the Borough Clerk
and a copy thereof filed with the Secretary of the Somerdale Volunteer
Fire Company.
B.
After appointment a member shall be eligible as a Fire Police and
shall have full power and authority to act in such position. It shall
be the duty of a member of the Fire Police to perform his duties as
assigned by and under the supervision of the fire officer in charge
of the fire or fire drill.
