There shall be established in the City of Gloucester City a
Fire Department. This Department shall, in accordance with this article
of the Administrative Code and in compliance with all pertinent statutes,
rules and regulations governing municipal Fire Departments, be responsible:
A. To enact policies and procedures to prevent, extinguish, and control
fire and hazardous conditions.
B. To enact and enforce policies and procedures to identify and rectify
circumstances that may be related to the ability to prevent, extinguish
and control fires and hazardous conditions.
C. To enact policies and procedures to rescue, safeguard and educate
the public as to prevention, extinguishment and control of fire and
hazardous conditions.
D. To enact policies and procedures to issue violations to correct circumstances
that hinder the Department in the prevention, extinguishment and control
of fire and hazardous conditions and to create billing procedures
for the collection of funds for the provision of services or violations.
The Gloucester City Fire Department shall consist of a minimum
of three stations and be geographically located as listed below:
A. At least two stations shall be located on the west side of the City,
between the river and Broadway.
B. At least one station shall be located on the east side of the City,
between the Broadway and the City line.
C. Any other station as may be available shall be located where possible
and be subject to the conditions of this ordinance.
[Added 6-5-2003 by Ord.
No. 14-2003]
There shall be in the Department a Division of Fire Prevention.
This office shall be manned by a Fire Prevention Specialist UFD who
shall serve under the direction of the Chief of the Fire and perform
such duties as assigned including those outlined in this section and
as a fire fighter under the command established in this ordinance.
A. Staffing:
(1) The appointment to this position shall be made by the Common Council
under the regulations of the New Jersey Department of Personnel.
(2) The employee in this position shall maintain all requirements as
to remaining a career fire fighter in Gloucester City and the licensing
required to perform such life, safety and inspection duties under
the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs.
B. Duties:
(1) Under the direction of the Chief of the Department, perform all inspections
as required in the Uniform Fire Code of New Jersey (N.J.A.C. 5) as
Life Hazard Uses and Non Life Hazard Uses.
(2) Perform all inspections as encoded in the local fire prevention standards per Chapter
48 of the ordinances of the City of Gloucester City.
(3) Establish and implement programs for the instruction and investigation
of business establishments in fire safety practice.
(4) Report findings and violations to the Fire Official detailing infractions
and recommendations.
(5) Coordinates and takes reports from fire fighters conducting neighborhood
inspections to issue violations and/or recommendations to situations
found during block inspections.
(6) Maintains files of inspections and findings.
(7) Coordinates and implements programs with schools, business organizations,
and civic organizations to promote fire awareness and safety, including
participation in scheduling and reviewing fire drills and demonstration
of proper utilization of equipment and procedures.
(8) Coordinates with the Emergency Management Coordinator to establish
and conduct tests of emergency awareness programs.
(9) Performs special duties at events where congregations of people may
dictate special arrangements.
(10)
Inspects fire hydrants or coordinates inspections with fire
fighters and utility division.
(11)
Performs as a fire fighter or Emergency Medical Technician where
needed in response to alarms.
(12)
Performs other various tasks as may be directed by the Fire
Chief in conformance with the description of this title.
The volunteer members of the Department that are in good standing
shall receive the following allotment:
Position
|
Annual Allotment
|
---|
Deputy Chief
|
$550
|
Battalion Chief
|
$450
|
Captain
|
$400
|
Lieutenant
|
$350
|
Firefighters
|
$300
|
Members of the Gloucester City Fire Department and all staff
positions established by this ordinance shall be subject to the orders
and administration of the Chief of the Department.
A. The Chief of the Department shall have the power to take disciplinary
action after a review of the infractions or violation of this ordinance,
the City's Personnel Policy as provided in accordance with the standard
operating procedures and/or any departmental policies. The Career
Division employees shall be disciplined in accordance with the regulations
of the New Jersey Department of Personnel and any pertinent contractual
provisions. The Fire Committee of the Common Council shall have the
right to hear any appeal of action taken by the Chief.
All personnel of the Department shall function as a single unit
under one command while on the scene of a fire or incident; all personnel
shall be subject to the orders of any officer, whether Uniform Division
or Volunteer.
Any apparatus, equipment or gear in need of repair or maintenance
shall be reported to the on-duty ranking officer for action. The ranking
officer shall take action in accordance with departmental policies.
Certain responsibilities may be assigned by the Chief to maintain
an effective and efficient policy on the maintenance of departmental
property.
The Department and the City shall follow all state and federal
laws and guidelines concerning the retirement age of both career and
volunteer members.
Any member having completed 20 years of service to the Department,
and is in good standing, may be presented for life membership. This
shall include the recommendation of the Chief of the Department. The
Fire Committee and the Chief shall review all other cases. Once approved,
the Council may pass a resolution declaring the life member status
of the person presented.
All career personnel and officers shall be appointed in accordance
with New Jersey Department of Personnel requirements for entry and
promotion.
The annual salaries provided by ordinance for the members of
the Department shall be in lieu of any and all fees, commissions,
emoluments of any kind paid to or received by any such member. All
members of the Department of Fire shall be required to account for
and pay any fees, commissions, or emoluments to the Treasurer of the
City.
All members of the Department of Fire shall be required to serve
on such shifts and for such hours and for such times as may be assigned
by the Chief of Fire.