[1]
[Note: Prior ordinance history includes portions of Ordinance
Nos. 7-5-83; 8-5-86; 89-19; 94-2; 01-19; 01-32; 01-34; 03-26; 03-29;
04-5; and 10-22]
[Ord. No. O-14-24]
There shall be a Volunteer Fire Department which shall promulgate
its own rules and regulations and conduct its operations in accordance
with the Fire Ordinance and the Fire Code and the amendments heretofore
enumerated. The Volunteer Fire Department is hereby designated as
the Rockaway Township Fire Department. The Fire Department shall annually
elect a Chief from its members, who shall be the head of the Rockaway
Township Fire Department. There shall be a Fire Marshal, who shall
be appointed in accordance with applicable statutes, codes, rules
and/or regulations, and whose salary shall be fixed by ordinance.
The objective of the Rockaway Township Fire Department shall be the
protection of life and property and the prevention of fires within
the limits of the Township.
[Ord. No. O-14-24]
The Fire Department Chief shall:
A.
Be the Chief Officer of the Rockaway Township Fire Department.
B.
Administer and enforce rules and regulations for the control, disposition
and discipline of the Rockaway Township Fire Department and its officers
and employees as established herein.
C.
Be the liaison between the Director of the Department of Fire and
the Rockaway Township Fire Department.
[Ord. No. O-14-24]
The governing body of the Township shall adopt rules and regulations
in conformity herewith and amendments as deemed necessary for the
control, disposition and discipline of the Rockaway Township Fire
Department and its officers. The Fire Department Chief shall administer
and enforce the rules and regulations as the Chief Operating Officer
of the Rockaway Township Fire Department. A copy of the rules and
regulations shall be given to all firefighters listed on the Roll
of Firefighters.
[Ord. No. O-14-24]
The Township Fire Department shall consist of Hibernia Fire
Company No. 1, also to be known as Rockaway Township Fire Company
No. 1; Mt. Hope Fire Company No. 2, also to be known as Rockaway Township
Fire Company No. 2; Marcella Fire Company No. 3, also to be known
as Rockaway Township Fire Company No. 3; Birchwood Fire Company No.
4, also to be known as Rockaway Township Fire Company No. 4; and White
Meadow Lake Fire Company No. 5, also to be known as Rockaway Township
Fire Company No. 5.
[Ord. No. O-14-24]
The Fire Department and each of its member companies shall adopt a constitution, rules and by-laws not inconsistent with the Rules and Regulations provided in subsection 11-1.3. The Fire Department Association members shall approve the Department constitution, rules and bylaws and any amendments thereto. Each Fire Company Association shall approve their respective Company constitution, rules and bylaws and any amendments thereto.
[Ord. No. O-14-24]
The Township Clerk shall maintain an accurate record on all
firefighters, which shall be known as the "Roll of Firefighters."
This record shall show each firefighter's full name, date of
birth, date of death, date of naturalization if foreign born, address
while a firefighter, date and type of any change in status, such as
exemption, suspension, expulsion, retirement, resignation, leave of
absence, etc. The record shall also show the date a firefighter takes
office as a Department Officer and the office held. In addition, each
firefighter's annual percentage of duty attendance at alarms
and drills shall be recorded annually by the Department Chief.
[Ord. No. O-14-24]
No person shall hereinafter become a member of the Fire Department
or any Company thereof unless such person meets the minimum qualifications
set forth in the rules and regulations.
[Ord. No. O-14-24]
A.
Every person seeking membership in the Fire Department shall make
application to the Company which they desire to join. The application
shall be processed in accordance with the Company's bylaws. Following
receipt and review by the Company of the applicant's police background
search evidencing no prior violations of law deemed necessarily relevant,
the application shall be submitted to the Department Chief for approval.
B.
Upon approval of the application by the Department Chief, the applicant
shall be granted temporary membership status. The Department Chief
shall notify the Township Clerk of the acceptance, and the Clerk shall
cause the temporary member's name to be placed on the governing
body's meeting agenda for confirmation. Following confirmation
by the governing body, which shall not exceed 60 days from submission
by the Department Chief, full membership shall be granted, and the
Clerk shall enter the member's name on the Roll of Firefighters.
C.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, no person shall become, either temporarily
or permanently, a member of the Fire Department until the Township
Clerk confirms that this person is covered by the applicable insurance.
[Ord. No. O-14-24]
A person whose name is entered on the Roll of Firefighters shall be considered a member until such time that the firefighter's name is removed from the Roll of Firefighters. Such removal shall be made by the Township Clerk after notification by the Fire Director. A request for removal may be initiated by that firefighter's Fire Company Association, the Assistant Chief of said Company, or the Department Chief for failure to comply with the rules and regulations provided in Subsection 11-1.3.
[Ord. No. O-14-24]
A.
Every active member of the Fire Department shall meet the requirements
set forth in the rules and regulations.
B.
Any member attempting to reach exempt membership status within the
New Jersey State Relief Association shall meet their requirements
in order to obtain this status. Membership in the Rockaway Township
Fire Department shall not be determined if a member is or is not meeting
the requirements of the New Jersey State Relief Association.
[Ord. No. O-14-24]
The Fire Department shall not have more than 250 active members.
[Ord. No. O-14-24]
The officers of the Fire Department shall consist of a Department
Chief, a Deputy Department Chief, an Assistant Fire Chief from each
member Company, and an Assistant EMS Chief.
[Ord. No. O-14-24]
The Department Chief, Deputy Department Chief, and the Assistant
EMS Chief shall be elected from the active membership of the Department
in accordance with the rules and regulations, and the Department constitution,
rules, and bylaws, and confirmed by the governing body. The Assistant
Fire Chiefs shall be elected in accordance with the rules and regulations,
and their respective Company constitution, rules and bylaws. The officers
of the Fire Department shall take office at 12:00 noon on January
1 of each year and serve until duly replaced, and shall serve those
positions in an acting capacity pending confirmation and acceptance
by the governing body.
[Ord. No. O-14-24]
The officers of each Fire Company shall be elected from the
active membership of each Fire Company in accordance with the rules
and regulations, and their respective Company constitution, rules
and bylaws, and the Department SOP.
[Ord. No. O-14-24]
The duties of the Department and Company officers shall be as defined in the rules and regulations provided in Subsection 11-1.3.
[Ord. No. O-14-24]
There shall be a Board of Fire Officers of the Department consisting of the Department Chief, the Deputy Department Chief, Assistant EMS Chief, and an Assistant Fire Chief from each Company. The immediate ex-Department Chief shall also serve on this Board in an advisory capacity. Duties of the Board shall be as defined in the rules and regulations provided in Subsection 11-1.3.
[Ord. No. O-14-24]
There shall be a Board of Fire Officers of each Company in the Department. Membership and duties of the Board shall be as defined in the rules and regulations provided in Subsection 11-1.3.
[Ord. No. O-14-24]
There shall be a Board of Ex-Department Chiefs of the Fire Department consisting of only those active members listed on the Roll of Firefighters who were duly elected and held office as Fire Department Chief Officers, and duties of the Board shall be as further defined in the rules and regulations provided in Subsection 11-1.3 of the Township of Rockaway Code.
[Ord. No. O-14-24]
[Ord. No. O-14-24]
There shall be a Chief Application Board of the Department consisting of a representative of each company and an alternate from each company consisting only of members who have served in the position of Assistant Chief or higher. Election and duties of the Board shall be in accordance with the rules and regulations as provided in Subsection 11-1.3.
[Ord. No. O-14-24]
Members and officers of the Department, as listed on the Roll
of Firefighters, shall receive compensation toward expenses incurred
by them on Department duty as the governing body may determine.
[Ord. No. O-14-24]
Members of the Fire Department listed on the Roll of Firefighters and temporary members as defined in Subsection 11-3.2 shall be insured for injury or bodily harm while on Department duty. Each firefighter shall be provided with:
A.
Employer's liability insurance coverage in accordance with the
Workmen's Compensation Act (N.J.S.A. 34:15-74).
B.
Any additional insurance coverage provided by the governing body.
(1)
Any additional insurance coverage in effect at the effective date
of this chapter shall remain in effect. Any changes in coverage made
by the governing body shall first have the concurrence of the Fire
Department Association and the Department Chief.
[Ord. No. O-14-24]
A.
The Fire Department firefighters on duty at the scene of a fire or
emergency shall have the full, complete charge and control during
all fire or emergency operations and until all firefighters have completed
their activities.
B.
It shall be the responsibility of the Police Department to prevent
the disturbance, interference with, or other annoyance of firefighters
by any and all non-Fire Department members, municipal officials or
bystanders during a fire or emergency operation. The Police Department,
upon completion of firefighter activities, shall assume charge of
and guard safely any building left unprotected or any property removed
from a building as a result of a fire or an emergency.
[Ord. No. O-14-24]
The Fire Chief or duly authorized representatives, as may be
in charge at the scene of a fire or other emergency involving the
protection or other emergency involving the protection of life and/or
property, is empowered to direct such operations as may be necessary
to extinguish or control any suspected or reported fires, gas leaks,
or other hazardous conditions or situations or of taking any other
action necessary in the reasonable performance of their duty. The
Fire Officer in charge may prohibit any person, vehicle or object
from approaching the scene and may remove or cause to be removed from
the scene any person, vehicle or object which may impede or interfere
with the operations of the Fire Department. The Fire Officer in charge
may remove or cause to be removed any person, vehicle or object from
a hazardous area. All persons ordered to leave a hazardous area shall
do so immediately and shall not re-enter the area until authorized
to do so by the Fire Officer in charge.
[Ord. No. O-14-24]
It shall be unlawful to interfere with, attempt to interfere
with, conspire to interfere with, obstruct or restrict the mobility
of, or block the path of travel of, any Fire Department emergency
vehicle in any way, or to interfere with, attempt to interfere with,
conspire to interfere with, obstruct or hamper any Fire Department
operation.
[Ord. No. O-14-24]
A person shall not willfully fail or refuse to comply with any
lawful order or direction of the Fire Chief, Incident Commander, or
Fire Official; or interfere with the compliance attempts of another
individual.
[Ord. No. O-14-24]
A non-Fire Department vehicle shall not be driven or propelled
over any unprotected fire hose of the Fire Department when laid down
on any street, alleyway, private drive or any other vehicular roadway
without consent of the Incident Commander.
[Ord. No. O-14-24]
Authorized emergency vehicles shall be restricted to those which
are defined and authorized under the laws of the state.
[Ord. No. O-14-24]
Upon the approach of any authorized emergency vehicle giving
audible and visual signal, the operator of every other vehicle shall
immediately drive the same to a position as near as possible and parallel
to the right-hand edge or curb of the street or roadway, clear of
any intersection, and shall stop and remain in such position until
the authorized emergency vehicle(s) shall have passed, unless otherwise
directed by the Fire Officer in charge or a police officer.
[Ord. No. O-14-24]
It shall be unlawful for the operator of any vehicle, other
than one on official business, to follow closer than 300 feet from
any fire apparatus traveling in response to a fire alarm, or to drive
any vehicle within the block or immediate area where fire apparatus
has stopped in answer to a fire alarm.
[Ord. No. O-14-24]
A person shall not, without proper authorization from the Fire
Officer in charge of the Fire Department emergency equipment, cling
to, attach himself to, climb upon or into, board or swing upon any
Fire Department emergency vehicle, whether the same is in motion or
at rest, or sound the siren, horn, bell or other sound-producing device
thereon, or manipulate or tamper with, or attempt to manipulate or
tamper with, any levers, valves, switches, starting devices, brakes,
pumps, or any equipment or protective clothing on, or part of, any
Fire Department emergency vehicle.
[Ord. No. O-14-24]
It shall be unlawful for any person to damage or deface, or
attempt or conspire to damage or deface, any Fire Department emergency
vehicle at any time, or to injure, or attempt to injure or conspire
to injure Fire Department personnel while performing Departmental
duties.
[Ord. No. O-14-24]
The rules governing the operation of any authorized emergency
vehicle shall be restricted to those which are defined and authorized
under the laws of the state.
[Ord. No. O-14-24]
A.
It shall be unlawful to obscure from view, damage, deface, obstruct
or restrict the access to any fire hydrant, standpipes, or any Fire
Department connections for the pressurization of fire suppression
systems, including fire hydrants and Fire Department connections that
are located on public or private streets and access lanes, or on private
property.
B.
If, upon immediate need or upon the expiration of the time mentioned
in a notice of violation, obstructions or encroachments are not removed,
the Fire Chief, Incident Commander or Fire Official shall proceed
to remove the same. Cost incurred in the performance of necessary
work shall be paid from the municipal treasury on certification of
the Fire Chief and with the approval of the Business Administrator;
and the legal authority of the municipality shall institute appropriate
action for the recovery of such costs.
[Ord. No. O-14-24]
A person shall not use or operate any fire hydrant intended
for use of the Fire Department for fire suppression purposes unless
the person first secures a permit for such use from the Fire Chief
or Fire Official and the water company having jurisdiction. This subsection
shall not apply to the use of hydrants by a person employed by, and
authorized to make use by, the water company having jurisdiction.
[Ord. No. O-14-24]
The placement of hydrants in all new developments shall be subject
to the approval of the Fire Department, and in no event shall the
hydrants be located more than 500 feet apart.
[Ord. No. O-14-24]
The Fire Chief shall recommend to the Chief Administrative Official
of the municipality the location or relocation of new or existing
fire hydrants and the placement or replacement of inadequate water
mains located upon public property and deemed necessary to provide
an adequate fire flow and distribution pattern. A fire hydrant shall
not be placed into or removed from service until approved by the Fire
Chief.
[Ord. No. O-14-24]
All new and existing shipyards, oil storage plants, lumber yards,
amusement or exhibition parks, and educational or institutional complexes
and similar occupancies and uses involving high fire or life hazards,
and which are located more than 150 feet from a public street or which
require quantities of water beyond the capabilities of the public
water distribution system shall be provided with properly placed fire
hydrants. Such fire hydrants shall be capable of supplying fire flows
as required by the Fire Chief and shall be connected to a water system
in accordance with accepted engineering practices. The Fire Chief
shall designate and approve the number and location of fire hydrants.
The Fire Chief may require the installation of sufficient fire hose
and equipment housed in accordance with the approved rules and may
require the establishment of a trained fire brigade when the hazard
involved requires such measures. Private hydrants shall not be placed
into or removed from service until approved by the Fire Chief.
[Ord. No. O-14-24]
A person shall not obstruct, remove, tamper with or otherwise
disturb any fire hydrant or fire appliance required to be installed
or maintained under the provisions of the Fire Prevention Code except
for the purpose of extinguishing fire, training or testing purposes,
recharging, or making necessary repairs, or when permitted by the
Fire Chief, Fire Official or Fire Subcode Official. Whenever a fire
appliance is removed as herein permitted, it shall be replaced or
reinstalled as soon as the purpose for which it was removed has been
accomplished. Defective and nonapproved fire appliances or equipment
shall be replaced or repaired as directed by the Fire Chief, Fire
Official or Fire Subcode Official.
[Ord. No. O-14-24]
Per N.J.A.C. 5:70-1.1 et seq., a person shall not sell, trade,
loan or give away any form, type or kind of fire extinguisher which
is not approved by the Fire Official, or which is not in proper working
order, or the contents of which do not meet the requirements of the
Fire Official. The requirements of this subsection shall not apply
to the sale, trade or exchange of obsolete or damaged equipment for
junk when the units are permanently disfigured or marked with a permanent
sign identifying the unit as junk.
[Ord. No. O-14-24]
A person or persons shall not erect, construct, place, or maintain
any bumps, fences, gates, chains, bars, pipes, wood or metal horses
or any other type of obstruction in or on any street within the boundaries
of the Township. The word "street," as used in this chapter, means
any roadway accessible to the public for vehicular traffic, including,
but not limited to, private streets or access lanes, as well as all
public streets and highways within the boundaries of the municipality.
[Ord. No. O-14-24]
In compliance with the International Fire Code, New Jersey currently
adopted edition [N.J.A.C. 5:70-3.2(a)], Section 506, Key Boxes:
A.
All buildings within the Township of Rockaway having automatic fire
alarms or a fire suppression system, excluding one-family and two-family
residential dwellings, shall be equipped with a key box or boxes to
be purchased and installed by and at the sole expense of the owner
or occupant of said building in accordance with this subsection. This
subsection applies to both existing and future construction.
B.
The key box shall be of a type approved by the Bureau of Fire Prevention
and the Fire Marshal and shall be uniform within the Township of Rockaway.
The key box shall be mounted on the building in an accessible location
approved by the Fire Marshal. Applications for a key box may be obtained
from the Rockaway Township Fire Prevention Bureau.
C.
Access to key boxes shall be available only to Township-authorized
personnel and only by the master key. The master key shall be inaccessible
until the dispatcher receives and verifies a request from authorized
personnel and responds with a coded signal to a decoder permitting
access to the master key.
D.
The key box shall be maintained by the owner or occupant of the building
or structure and shall contain, at a minimum, updated keys necessary
for access to all portions of the premises, as required by the Fire
Marshal, and/or electronic entry cards, if needed, as well as keys
to any separate Material Safety Data Sheets ("MSDS") storage cabinet,
if required under Subsection 11-6.19E, below.
E.
Where activity is being conducted on certain premises within the
Township that under New Jersey law requires the owner or occupant
of said premises to maintain on the premises a book containing MSDS
information for first-responding emergency personnel, said owner or
occupant will be required to install a lockable MSDS storage cabinet.
This cabinet will be installed in an accessible area approved by the
Fire Marshal It shall contain all updated information for first responders
on any fire or hazardous material incident.
F.
Whenever the contents of key box must be updated, it shall be the
responsibility of the owner or occupant of the building to notify
the Bureau of Fire Prevention. The Fire Marshal or his designate,
within 24 hours of such notice, will meet with said owner or occupant
in order to open the key box so it may be updated. If the Bureau of
Fire Prevention is not notified of a change requiring an update of
keys, the Fire Marshal will assess a fine of $100 for each occurrence.
Such changes include, but are not limited to, change of occupant,
sale of building or structure, change of security locks and system,
added storage and new material being stored or processed on the premises.
G.
All existing buildings within the Township of Rockaway containing
automatic fire alarms or a fire suppression system, excluding one-family
and two family residential dwellings, shall comply with the provisions
of this subsection no later than six months from the effective date
of this subsection. Compliance with this subsection shall be required
prior to receipt of a certificate of occupancy for all new buildings
containing automatic fire alarms or a fire suppression system, excluding
one-family and two-family residential dwellings.
H.
Violators of the provisions of this subsection shall be assessed
a fine by the Fire Marshal of $500 for each day or part thereof that
the violation continues.
I.
The Township of Rockaway, its agents and employees, shall not be
liable for damages resulting from any break, failure or defect of
any key box or MSDS storage cabinet installed in accordance with this
subsection, or any accident or injury resulting therefrom.
[Ord. No. O-14-24]
The provisions of this section shall apply to any person who
operates, maintains, or owns any alarm device or local alarm designed
to summon Fire Departments to any location in response to any type
of alarm signal. This section shall not apply to volunteer fire companies
in the Township.
[Ord. No. O-14-24]
As used in this section:
The console or control panel of devices giving visual, audio
or electronic response.
Any alarm device or combination of devices installed for
one or more buildings in a location other than the alarm console.
That type of device using telephone lines transmitting an
alarm through a central station alarm company and not directly through
the police switchboard.
The actuation of a fire alarm device of any type to which
the Fire Department must respond, and for which an investigation fails
to reveal a cause of the nature or type to which the alarm device
was designed or intended to react.
Any alarm or device which when activated produces a signal
not connected to the alarm console, including, but not limited to,
store fire alarm bell activating devices, and residential store or
other type of alarm signal devices connected to private monitoring
systems, which alarms may be relayed to Township Police Headquarters.
Any type of alarm system actuating equipment in the alarm
console providing warning of fire or smoke.
[Ord. No. O-14-24]
A.
In case of a false fire alarm, the Incident Commander involved shall
notify the Fire Official and complete a fire report. The fire report
shall be filed with the Fire Official, who shall investigate the matter
and issue the appropriate penalty in accordance with N.J.A.C. 5:70-2.12.
B.
The owner of any alarm device shall not pay a penalty for the first
false fire alarm within any one calendar year, January 1 through December
31. Thereafter, a penalty shall be imposed for any subsequent false
fire alarms within the same calendar year, the charge to be determined
by the total number of false alarms within the same calendar year
in accordance with the following schedule:
|
Residential
|
Commercial Under 2,500 square feet
|
Commercial Over 2,500 square feet (Including multifamily dwelling
common areas)
| |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Second false alarm
|
$25
|
$25
|
$250
|
|
Third false alarm
|
$50
|
$75
|
$350
|
|
Fourth false alarm
|
$75
|
$125
|
$450
|
|
Fifth false alarm
|
$100
|
$175
|
$550
|
|
Sixth false alarm
|
$125
|
$225
|
$650
|
|
Seventh false alarm
|
$150
|
$275
|
$750
|
|
Eighth false alarm
|
$175
|
$325
|
$850
|
|
Ninth false alarm
|
$200
|
$375
|
$950
|
|
Tenth false alarm and any subsequent false alarms within the
same calendar year
|
$225
|
$425
|
$1,050
|
[Ord. No. O-14-24]
The owner shall take all necessary steps to ascertain immediately
the cause of any false alarm and shall alleviate the problem. A disregard
by the owner to take reasonable precautions to avoid false alarms
shall be deemed to be a violation of the Uniform Fire Code and the
International Fire Code, New Jersey currently adopted edition.
[Ord. No. O-14-24]
Testing of alarms required by the Uniform Fire Code, the International
Fire Code, New Jersey currently adopted edition, or practice, without
prior notice, shall be considered false alarms.
[Ord. No. O-14-24]
There is hereby established an Auxiliary to the Rockaway Township
Fire Department to be known as the "Junior Firemen's Auxiliary,"
which shall be sponsored by the Rockaway Township Fire Department
and operate under and pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40A:14-95 et seq. and the
Code of the Township of Rockaway.
[Ord. No. O-14-24]
The purpose of the Junior Firemen's Auxiliary is to assist
the members of the Fire Department in all duties of fire and rescue
and to train as future members of the Rockaway Township Fire Department.
[Ord. No. O-14-24]
No person shall hereinafter become a member of the Junior Firemen's
Auxiliary unless the member shall be a citizen of the United States
between ages of 16 and 18, a resident of Rockaway Township and physically
fit to perform the duties of a firefighter, which fitness shall be
evidence by a certificate to that effect signed by the Township approved/appointed
physician of the state after a physical examination is performed for
that purpose. No individual may remain a member of the Junior Firemen's
Auxiliary after attaining the age of 18 unless they are currently
enrolled in an accredited high school. Any member enrolled in an accredited
high school may retain membership in the Junior Firemen's Auxiliary
provided they maintain continuous enrollment in said high school,
and, upon graduation, they will have 30 days to apply for full membership.
Any individual not enrolled in an accredited high school will have
30 days after their 18th birthday to apply for full membership. Each
individual shall obtain permission from said individual's parent(s)
or legal guardian. Such permission shall be in writing and acknowledged
by a Notary Public. The original written permission shall be retained
by the Township Clerk, and a copy shall be forwarded to the Fire Department
Chief.
[Ord. No. O-14-24]
A.
Every person seeking membership in the Junior Firemen's Auxiliary
shall be assigned by the Fire Chief to the Fire Company closest to
his residence. The application shall be processed in accordance with
the Company's bylaws and Department Standard Operating Procedures.
Following review by the Fire Company Association and the Junior Firemen's
Auxiliary Committee, the application shall be submitted to the Department
Chief for approval.
B.
Upon approval of the application by the Department Chief, he shall
notify the Township Clerk of the acceptance, and the Clerk shall cause
the applicant's name to be placed on the governing body's
meeting agenda for confirmation. Following confirmation by the governing
body, which shall not exceed 60 days from submission by the Department
Chief, full membership shall be granted, and the Clerk shall enter
the member's name on the Roll of Junior Firemen's Auxiliary.
C.
All approved Junior Firemen's Auxiliary members shall be admitted
as members to the Fire Company Association to which application was
made, and to the Fire Department Association. They shall be nonvoting
members of both associations.
D.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, no person shall become a member of
the Junior Firemen's Auxiliary until the Township Clerk confirms
that this person is covered by the applicable insurance.
[Ord. No. O-14-24]
The Township Clerk shall maintain an accurate record on all
Junior Firemen's Auxiliary members, which shall be known as the
"Roll of Junior Firemen's Auxiliary." This record shall show
each member's full name, date of birth, date of death, date of
naturalization if foreign born, address while a member, and date and
type of any change in status, such as suspension, expulsion, resignation,
etc. In addition, each member's annual percentage of duty attendance
at alarms and drills shall be recorded annually by the Department
Chief.
[Ord. No. O-14-24]
The Junior Firemen's Auxiliary shall be under the guidance
of the Board of Fire Officers within the Fire Department.
[Ord. No. O-14-24]
Members of the Junior Firemen's Auxiliary shall be provided
with the same insurance coverage as provided for regular volunteer
firemen in the Fire Department under N.J.S.A. 40A:14-37, N.J.S.A.
40A:14-38 and N.J.S.A. 40A:14-97.
[Ord. No. O-14-24]
The Township Council hereinafter establishes the following rules
and regulations designed to provide for the training of the Junior
Firemen's Auxiliary for eventual membership in the Volunteer
Fire Department and to govern the activities of the Auxiliary.
A.
A Junior Fireman shall observe the rules and bylaws of the Fire Department
and of the Fire Companies, and must demonstrate an active interest
in the Fire Department and its functions.
B.
A Junior Fireman shall observe the discipline of the Fire Chief and
other officers and members of the Fire Department during a drill and/or
other Department activities.
C.
A Junior Fireman shall not perform any duty or operation of the Fire
Department that exposes the Junior Fireman to a hazardous situation.
D.
A Junior Fireman shall not be allowed to enter a burning building.
E.
All Junior Firemen responding to calls shall assemble as a group
and wait for instructions from the Officer in charge.
F.
No Junior Firemen shall enter any structure, unless ordered to do
so by a Fire Officer, and under the direct supervision of a senior
member. This shall happen only if a situation is under control.
G.
A Junior Fireman shall not drive any Fire Department apparatus.
H.
A Junior Fireman shall only be allowed to ride in the enclosed cab
of a fire truck or the enclosed box of a Fire Department ambulance.
I.
A Junior Fireman shall not operate any Fire Department power tools.
J.
A Junior Fireman shall not be present in any firehouse at any time
unless two active members of the Fire Department are present, unless
the junior member is the child of an active member of the Department
and is being supervised by that parent/member.
K.
A strict curfew of 10:00 p.m. will be observed Sunday through Thursday
and 11:00 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, with the exception of approved
firehouse functions.
L.
Any Junior Fireman responding to a call, drill or meeting under the
influence of alcohol or drugs will be immediately dismissed from the
Department.
M.
All Junior Firemen shall be enrolled in a credited high school or
have obtained a certificate of high school graduation.
N.
All school grades of Junior Firemen shall be monitored. All Junior
Firemen shall maintain at least a "C" average or a grade point average
of 70%. If, at any time, the grade average should fall below this
level, the Junior Fireman shall be suspended or restricted from the
activities of firefighting and the firehouse until the Junior Fireman
can provide the evidence that the grades have reached at least the
minimum required level. Junior Firemen shall submit grade reports
to their Assistant Chief after each school quarter to show evidence
of their current academic status.
[Ord. No. O-14-24]
Junior Firemen shall required to be trained in basic fire/rescue
operations, which shall include, but not be limited to, bloodborne
pathogens, certified pulmonary resuscitation, first responder (optional
EMT), pump operations, ladder operations, rescue operations, use of
self-contained breathing apparatus, fire suppression, fire ground
tactics, use of fire and rescue equipment, and basic firefighting
theories. Actual use of equipment, with the exception of power tools,
shall be encouraged, whenever deemed advisable by the Fire Department,
provided that adequate supervision is provided, all possible safety
precautions are taken and the Junior Fireman is not exposed to any
danger.
[Ord. No. O-14-24]
All Junior Members are responsible for all equipment issued
to them by the Fire Department. Junior Firemen will be issued turnout
gear. This equipment shall be used at all fire calls and drills, as
necessary. A Junior Fireman who fails to wear turnout gear will be
disciplined by the Fire Department Chief and/or Junior Squad Advisory
Committee. Pagers that are provided shall not be brought to school
under any circumstances.
[Ord. No. O-14-24]
A.
Upon reaching 18 years of age, a Junior Member shall be eligible to transfer to regular active membership upon completion of the regular application process as per Subsection 11-3.2. Regular active membership probationary credit shall be awarded to transferring Juniors at the rate of one month's credit for every two months' service in the Junior Firemen's Auxiliary. Regular active member requirements must be completed prior to release from probation.
[Ord. No. O-14-24]
Any Junior Fireman may be removed from membership for just cause.
If a Junior Member is accused of violating any rule or bylaw of the
Fire Department, the accused member shall be entitled to:
A.
A hearing before the Fire Company's line officers for the violation
of firematic functions or rules. The Assistant Chief shall review
the findings and take whatever action he deems necessary, including
dismissal from the Fire Department.
B.
A hearing before the Administrative Officers (President, Vice President
and Trustees) for any nonfirematic function. The findings of the hearing
and the Administrative Officers' recommendations shall be reviewed
by the Fire Company floor, and the Fire Company membership shall take
whatever action it deems necessary.
C.
A hearing within 48 hours if the Fire Chief, Deputy Fire Chief, Assistant
Chief, President or Vice President feels it is in the best interest
of the Fire Department to suspend a Junior Fireman. The parents or
legal guardian of the Junior Fireman shall be notified of any such
suspension and hearing. Reasons for suspension may include, but are
not limited to, removal of firematic or fire company property without
permission, disregard of safety rules, disregard of line officers'
orders at a fire or rescue scene, disobeyance of any bylaw of the
Fire Department, violation of any local, state or federal law, and
use of any illegal drugs or alcoholic beverage.
(1)
If a Junior Member is found to have consumed and/or possessed
any illegal drug or alcoholic beverage, the Junior Member shall face
disciplinary actions by the Fire Department, and the Junior Member
and his parents or legal guardian shall be notified by the Junior
Squad Advisory Committee.
[Ord. No. O-14-24]
The Fire Department shall take all necessary actions to ensure
that alcoholic beverages are not offered to, possessed, or consumed
by Junior Firemen in or around the Fire Department facilities or at
any other location at which the Fire Department is conducting any
operations, drills, wetdowns or social functions. The Fire Department
shall take all such further necessary actions to comply with all laws
governing the underage possession and consumption of alcoholic beverages,
including, without limitation, N.J.S.A. 2C:33-15 and N.J.S.A. 2C:33-17.
The failure to act appropriately may be charged as a violation.
