[Amended 8-5-2021 by Ord. No. 2021-11]
The Mount Ephraim Fire Department of the Borough of Mount Ephraim
("Borough") is hereby created, to consist of, but not limited to,
a Borough Fire Chief, Deputy Borough Fire Chief, local enforcing agency
(LEA), active firefighters, fire police, Junior Firefighters, Ladies
Auxiliary and any other "category of member" as stated in the bylaws
of the Mount Ephraim Fire Department ("Department") and certified
annually by the Department, in writing, to the Board of Commissioners
("Borough") and approved by the Borough. Applicants to the Department
must be of the age stipulated in the Department bylaws and/or as required
by federal or state statute for the title he/she may hold. Applicants
for a member of the Department shall reside within the "response areas"
as outlined in the Department's bylaws. Applicants shall be a citizen
of the United States or a permanent resident alien, of good moral
character and may not have ever pled guilty or been found guilty of
a crime, disorderly persons offense or a municipal ordinance involving
moral turpitude. Membership is conditional upon the results of a criminal
background check and any and all application requirements as set forth
in the Department's bylaws. Applicants shall be physically fit to
perform the duties of an active firefighter as evidenced by a certificate
of physical examination from a licensed New Jersey practicing physician.
The Borough in its discretion shall make available sufficient
financial resources, equipment and materials to the Department as
required by federal or state statute or as the Borough deems necessary
to provide for the protection of life and property.
The Borough Fire Chief shall be in charge of the firefighting
resources, equipment and materials, whether housed or in service.
At no time shall the resources, equipment and materials be removed
from the quarters where it is stationed without the authority of the
Chief and or his/her designee. The Chief shall see that all firefighting
resources, equipment and materials are kept in usable condition, and
shall immediately report to the Borough any and all equipment that
requires repair or is not in a usable condition. The Chief shall have
power or give authority to purchase or order any materials, repairs,
or equipment when deemed necessary and in accordance with and the
approval of the Borough.
[Amended 8-5-2021 by Ord. No. 2021-11]
The Deputy Borough Fire Chief shall assist the Borough Fire
Chief to discharge any and all of his/her duties and responsibilities
and shall perform any and all of these duties and responsibilities
in the absence, incapacity or inability of the Borough Fire Chief.
The additional line officers of the Department shall consist of a
Station Captain and three Lieutenants
The local enforcing agency (LEA) for the Borough may consist
solely of a state licensed and certified Borough Fire Marshal and
Deputy Borough Fire Marshal and/or a combination of a state licensed
and certified Borough Fire Marshal, a Deputy Borough Fire Marshal
and/or the Camden County Fire Marshal. The LEA shall be created and
operated based on the recommendation of the Department with the approval
of the Borough, County of Camden and State of New Jersey. The LEA
shall act in an advisory capacity to the Department and shall conduct
investigations and inspections as may be necessary or expedient to
eliminate fire hazards, ensure compliance with the New Jersey Uniform
Fire Code ("CODE") and determine origin and cause of fires. Following
their investigations and inspections, recommendations shall be submitted
to the Department and/or the Borough when applicable, so that such
fire hazards may be abated in the manner provided by the Code. The
LEA will work with the Department and within the powers allowable
by the State of New Jersey and the Code to, but not limited to:
A.
Regulate the use, storage, sale and disposal of inflammable or combustible
materials.
B.
Provide for the protection of life and property from fire, explosions
and other dangers.
C.
Provide for inspection of buildings and other places and any goods
and materials therein contained.
D.
Provide for the removal or destruction of any building, wall, chimney
or structure which is or may become dangerous to life or property
or which might tend to extend a conflagration.
The officers and members of the Department may be compensated
for their services in the discretion of the Borough and upon resolution
duly adopted authorizing such compensation.
Officers shall be nominated and elected and shall serve a term
as provided for by the Department's bylaws. The names of the elected
officers shall be submitted to the Borough annually. The Borough shall
give consideration to the submittals of the Department. Each officer
shall serve for the specified term of office at the pleasure of the
Department and the Borough. Each and all of the officers may be removed
in accordance with the Department's bylaws at any time when deemed
to be necessary for the best interests of the Department or by the
Borough should it deem necessary and appropriate.
