[HISTORY: Adopted by the Township Committee
of the Township of Oldmans 1-4-1978 by Ord. No. 78-1 as Secs. 17.01
and 17.08 of the 1978 Code. Amendments noted where applicable.]
A.
The Fire Chiefs shall, at the regular Township Committee
meeting in February in each year, or as often as required by the Township
Committee, report to the Township Committee the condition of the Fire
Department and the matters pertaining thereto of public interest,
including a complete inventory of all the property under their charge,
and said report shall also exhibit a particular statement of all fire
alarms and fires which have occurred in said Township during the preceding
year, together with the cause and origin of all such fires, as far
as the same shall have been ascertained. They shall also exhibit a
particular statement of all losses caused by such fires and of all
insurance thereon.
B.
The Fire Chief and the Captain of the First Aid Squad
shall submit an annual report to the Township Committee, which report
is due not later than February 1 for the prior year.
[Added 9-3-1997 by Ord.
No. 97-5]
[Amended 3-11-2015 by Ord. No. 2015-02]
A.
Qualifications.
(1)
Any person between the ages of 14 and 18 years may submit an application
for membership in the Junior Firefighter Program, hereafter "junior
firefighter," on an application provided by the fire company.
[Amended 7-12-2023 by Ord. No. 2023-07]
14 up to 16
Allowable Duties
*Attend meetings
*Receive instruction
*Participate in training that does not involve fire, smoke,
toxic or noxious gas, hazardous materials or substances
*Observe firefighting activities under supervision
*Suction unit - train and operate
*Carry tools to staging area, outside a hazardous area
*Train with flares, but not use on scene
*Axe, crow bar and manual seat belt cutter - train under supervision
of instructor
Disallowed Duties
*Pick up or pack hose on the fire ground
*Change SCBA cylinders at fire scene
*Connect or move fire hoses
*Deliver tools from the truck to the incident
*Work in, about or in connection with power-driven machinery
*See additional disallowed duties for "16 up to 18" category
|
16 up to 18
Allowable Duties
*Train at fire academy under adult supervision
*Flares - allowed to use at scene (Ride in ambulance or fire
apparatus, depending on type of emergency)
*Administer oxygen
*Air chisel, powered seat belt cutter and porta-power
*Direct traffic (must be certified)
*Train with SCBA in nonlive situations
*Train with ladders and charged hose lines
*Train with saws and other power tools under supervision and
with protective equipment
Disallowed Duties
*Jaws of life and come along - must be 18 years to operate
*Work in, about or in connection with highly flammable substances,
radioactive substances and ionizing radiation, carcinogenic substances,
toxic and hazardous substances
*Oil, wipe or clean machinery in motion or assist therein
*Use grinding, abrasive, polishing or buffing machines
|
(2)
The application must be completed and signed by the parent or legal
guardian. Prior to acceptance as a junior firefighter, at least one
parent or legal guardian must meet with the Fire Company to review
these regulations and understand the operations in which the junior
firefighter will be engaged.
(3)
Every applicant must pass a physical examination as fit for the position
of junior firefighter which must be furnished to the fire company.
(4)
Each applicant must pass a bloodborne pathogen class.
B.
General.
(1)
The Chief of the Fire Department will be responsible for all junior
members.
(2)
The Chief, line officers and regular firemen shall ensure that junior
firefighters are properly supervised and restricted so that they will
not be exposed to the same degree of hazard as a regular member of
a volunteer fire department.
(3)
Each junior firefighter will receive and shall wear turnout gear,
issued by the fire company.
(4)
The helmet worn by each junior firefighter will be distinctly red
and bear a shield stating "Junior Firefighter" to distinguish the
junior firefighter from regular firefighters.
(5)
At age 18, a junior firefighter may apply to become a regular firefighter.
C.
Duties and obligations.
(1)
Junior firefighters are subject to these rules and regulations governing
junior firefighters as well as those adopted by the fire company to
which the junior firefighters be applied, and if a conflict exists
between any rules, then the more stringent ones will apply.
(2)
At the scene of a fire or other emergency, junior firefighters shall
initially report to and be stationed at the emergency vehicle they
came on. All activities to which junior firefighters shall be assigned
must be approved by the fire company officer or member designated
to supervise junior firefighters at the scene. In the event of a conflict,
the officer in charge shall exercise control.
(3)
Subject to instructions received from an appropriate officer, junior
firefighters at the fire or emergency scene serve as messengers, deliver
equipment to active firefighters but only within the designated safe
area, handle and set up nonpowered equipment, roll or otherwise handle
unpressurized hose, and help clean up and replace equipment for return
to the firehouse. Since junior firefighters will not be equipped with
SCBA equipment, the assigning officer shall ensure that their assignments
do not place them in any location where they will be exposed to smoke
or other toxic substances.
(4)
While riding in fire apparatus, junior firefighters must wear seatbelts,
must remain seated in the cab area at all times when the apparatus
is moving, must wear full turnout gear and must be accompanied by
at least one firefighter.
(5)
No junior firefighter shall be assigned to direct traffic on a public
highway.
(6)
No junior firefighter shall operate or perform duties in an area
of stored paints, explosives or other highly flammable substances;
acids or dyes; toxic gases, vapor or fumes; volatile compounds or
substances that can penetrate skin; boilers in excess of 15 pounds
pressure; pits; construction work or locations that by their nature
are hazardous or that endanger life, health and safety.
(7)
No junior firefighter shall engage in or assist with oiling, wiping
or cleaning moving machinery, repairing elevators or hoisting apparatus
or equipment.
(8)
No junior firefighter shall enter a burning building, i.e., a building
from which flames or smoke can be seen from the outside.
(9)
No junior firefighter shall enter a condemned or burned out building
unless the building has been determined to be safe by the incident
commander.
(10)
No junior firefighter shall assist in or fill self-contained breathing
apparatus.
(11)
Except at a training session, no junior firefighter shall climb ladders
for firefighting or rescue purposes, hold or grasp pressurized hose
with a greater diameter than 1 3/4 inches or use self-contained breathing
apparatus.
(12)
No junior firefighter shall consume alcoholic beverages at any time,
on or off duty.
(13)
No junior firefighter shall leave school during school hours to attend
drills, fires or other emergencies.
(14)
No junior firefighter will carry a pager or emergency receiver on
his/her person while at school.
(15)
Junior firefighters must provide their own transportation to and
from the firehouse.
(16)
Given the dangers inherent at the scene, junior firefighters shall
not respond to hazmat calls.
(17)
If responding to a call on the New Jersey Turnpike or Route 295,
junior firefighters must remain on apparatus at all times.
(18)
No junior firefighter may arrive at the firehouse before 6:00 a.m.
No junior firefighter shall respond to any fire call in the morning
hours prior to school when school is in session.
(19)
While school is in session, junior firefighters must leave the firehouse
by 10:00 p.m. When school is not in session or on weekends, junior
firefighters must leave the firehouse by 11:00 p.m.
(20)
Junior firefighters must leave the fire scene by 11:00 p.m. Monday
through Thursday evening.
(21)
Any infraction of rules and/or regulations may be cause for dismissal.
(22)
Junior firefighters are encouraged to attend all departmental meetings,
training, drills, fundraising events and parades.
D.
Training.
(1)
Unless authorized by the Fire Department and Township Committee of
Oldmans Township, all junior firefighter training will be conducted
within the boundaries of Oldmans Township or at the County Fire Academy.
No junior firefighter shall take part in any live burn exercise either
at the Fire Academy or within the Township.
(2)
A junior firefighter may receive training or schooling that is age
appropriate when recommended by the Fire Chief.
(3)
Each junior firefighter will receive hazmat awareness and training
on bloodborne pathogens.
E.
Suspension/termination. Any junior firefighter who violates any of
the above regulations is subject to suspension or possible termination
of his/her status as a junior firefighter. Upon notification of a
violation, the Chief of the Fire Department shall immediately conduct
an investigation of the circumstances. The junior firefighter may,
at the sole discretion of the Chief, be suspended immediately pending
the outcome of the investigation. The investigation may include an
interview with the junior firefighter. Upon the conclusion of his/her
investigation, the Chief shall notify the fire company of the results
of his/her investigation and any action that is taken as a consequence
of the violation. At this time the Chief/fire company may impose further
actions if necessary. The determination of the Chief/fire company
shall be final and may not be appealed. This provision shall not be
construed to require any formal hearing process.