[HISTORY: Adopted by the Mayor and Council of the Borough of Waldwick 10-14-69 as Ord. No. 10-69; amended in its entirety 5-28-02 by Ord. No. 10-02. Amendments noted where applicable.]
A. 
This ordinance shall be entitled, "An ordinance to establish, maintain, regulate and control the Volunteer Fire Department of the Borough of Waldwick, in the County of Bergen, and State of New Jersey."
B. 
Short title. This ordinance shall be known as the "Waldwick Volunteer Fire Department Ordinance."
[Amended 4-9-2024 by Ord. No. 2024-13]
A. 
The Waldwick Volunteer Fire Department shall consist of one (1) or more companies, as the Mayor and Council of the Borough shall approve by resolution.
B. 
The governing body shall annually appoint a Committee as established by the by-laws of the Mayor and Council of the Borough of Waldwick, which shall have the following duties and powers:
(1) 
The Chairperson of the Committee shall be the administrative head of the Fire Department, as established by this ordinance, subject to the ultimate control of the Mayor and Council.
(2) 
The Vice Chairperson of the Committee shall act only in the case of the absence of the Chairperson of the Committee.
[Amended 8-27-02 by Ord. No. 15-02]
A. 
The company shall consist of as many officers and members of all categories as the Waldwick Volunteer Fire Department shall from time to time deem necessary, subject to the approval of the Mayor and Council of the Borough.
B. 
The officers of the company shall be selected as set forth in the by-laws of the Waldwick Volunteer Fire Department.
C. 
The term of the officers of the company shall be as set forth in the by-laws of the Waldwick Fire Department.
D. 
Upon certification by the Department that a member has been elected, the Secretary shall submit in writing the name of such officer-elect to the Mayor and Council for their approval. Should the Mayor and Council disapprove of the seating of such office-elect, the election of such officer-elect shall be set aside and the Department shall conduct new nomination and election meetings with fifteen (15) days of the receipt of written disapproval.
E. 
The ranks of the line officers of the Waldwick Volunteer Fire Department shall be as follows:
[Amended 4-9-2024 by Ord. No. 2024-13]
1. 
Chief
2. 
First Assistant Chief
3. 
Second Assistant Chief
4. 
Two Captains
5. 
Four Lieutenants
F. 
The ranks of the company officers of the Waldwick Fire Department shall be as follows:
1. 
President
2. 
Vice-President
3. 
Secretary
4. 
Treasurer
5. 
(3) Department Trustees
6. 
(9) Sickness & Distress Trustees
A. 
The Volunteer Fire Department of the Borough of Waldwick shall consist of as many firemen as may from time to time be confirmed by the Mayor and Borough Council; and no person shall be considered a member of such Fire Department or entitled to any privileges as such unless his name has been submitted to and approved by the Mayor and Council.
B. 
General requirements. Persons who seek to be members of the Waldwick Volunteer Fire Department shall have the following qualifications at the time of their application:
(1) 
A member shall be a legal resident of the United States of America.
(2) 
Be a resident of the Borough of Waldwick, or a resident of one of the towns contiguous to Waldwick (i.e., Allendale, Ho Ho Kus, Midland Park, Ridgewood, Saddle River, or Wyckoff), or who is employed in the Borough of Waldwick and has been so employed for at least 60 days prior to the date of application; provided, however, that the sixty-day requirement will not apply to active members of other fire departments who transfer to the Waldwick Fire Department.
[Amended 4-9-2024 by Ord. No. 2024-13]
(3) 
Be not less than eighteen (18) years of age unless the applicant meets the criteria as established by the Fire Department by-laws for junior membership.
(4) 
Be in good health and of sound mind and body, to be evidenced by a certificate to that effect duly attested to by a licensed physician of the State of New Jersey.
C. 
Procedure of application for membership. The application procedure for membership, shall be as contained in the by-laws of the Waldwick Volunteer Fire Department.
D. 
Classification of members. The classification of members shall be as set for the in the by-laws of the Waldwick Fire Department.
The Fire Department shall contain a fire police unit wherein certain members of the Fire Department, as appointed by the Chief and approved by the Mayor and Council, shall be authorized to maintain law and order at fires emergencies and special events to which they may be detailed, and be further designated by the Mayor and Council as special fire police, as provided by the New Jersey Statutes.
The members of the Fire Department shall have the authority to formulate their bylaws subject to the approval of the Mayor and Council. Subsequent amendments to these by-laws shall also have the approval of the Mayor and Council.
No person or persons shall enter the Department quarters or headquarters, handle any Department property, equipment or apparatus, unless authorized to do so or accompanied by or having the special permission of an officer or authorized member of the Department, except that members of the governing body shall have authority to inspect Fire Department equipment.
The Chief of the Waldwick Volunteer Fire Department and the officers thereof are hereby authorized to extend aid and assistance to neighboring communities on request for fire protection or emergency services, or to establish a mutual aid system in accordance with the laws of the State of New Jersey.
[Amended 10-25-05 by Ord. No. 12-05; 10-25-11 by Ord. No. 14-11; 9-30-2025 by Ord. No. 2025-19]
A. 
Insurance.
(1) 
In order to provide adequate compensation for injury for members of the Fire Department, the Mayor and Council of the Borough of Waldwick shall provide employer's liability insurance coverage in accordance with State Statute.
(2) 
The Mayor and Council of the Borough of Waldwick shall provide adequate liability insurance covering the operation of all Department vehicles and its authorized drivers, and shall also provide liability coverage for the use and maintenance of buildings and equipment owned or used by the Department.
B. 
Compensation other than insurance and liability.
(1) 
The Mayor and Council may provide compensation for the faithful performance of duties of various Line and Company Officers as contained within the salary ordinance and resolution of the Borough.
(2) 
Mayor and Council shall also provide suitable compensation to members of the Department for loss of clothing and other personal effects suffered in the process of fire fighting, emergencies and services. Personnel with a fire, drill and extra duty percentage for the year: at or above sixty percent (60%) shall receive $600; those with a percentage falling at forty percent (40%) to under sixty percent (60%) shall receive $500; those with a percentage falling at twenty six percent (26%) to under forty percent (40%) shall receive $350; those with a percentage falling at ten percent (10%) to under twenty-six percent (26%) shall receive $300; and those less than ten percent (10%) shall receive zero. The year shall consist of a twelve month period commencing on November 1st and running through October 31st of the subsequent year.
The total allocation from the Borough of Waldwick for this purpose shall not exceed $22,500 annually. The funds are to be distributed according to highest percentage until they are exhausted.
If any article, section, subsection or sentence, clause or phrase of the ordinance shall be held to be invalid for any reason, such decision shall not affect the remaining portions of this ordinance.