[1974 Code § 15-23; Ord. No. 50-82; Ord. No. 01-6-OAB § 1]
a. 
The Berkeley Township Fire Department is hereby placed at all times under the control and supervision and subject to the orders of the Township Council.
b. 
The Township Council reserves the right to establish areas of jurisdiction and operation of each of the various volunteer fire companies which form the Berkeley Township Fire Department. Such areas of jurisdiction shall be delineated by resolution of the Township Council.
c. 
All Township Fire Departments, Bayville, Manitou Park and Pinewalk Pioneer, shall participate in joint training sessions at least two times per year.
[1974 Code § 15-24; Ord. No. 50-82; Ord. No. 01-6-OAB § 2]
a. 
Expulsion and disciplinary proceedings against members of the various volunteer fire companies shall be in accordance with the volunteer fire companies rules and regulations. In the circumstances that the Township Council determines that any of the volunteer fire companies are not properly enforcing disciplinary actions against any of their members or officers, the Township Council, upon its own initiative, may give such notice to any such fire company and proceed with disciplinary hearings upon proper notice. Such disciplinary hearings can result in suspension or removal of the volunteer firemen from the rolls of the respective fire company.
b. 
The Township Council, upon its own initiative, may conduct hearings regarding status and performance of any volunteer fire company. The Township Council shall determine whether the fire company is adhering to standards established by this chapter and of any rules and regulations passed by resolution of the Township Council. The Township Council shall determine whether any volunteer fire company is adequately staffed and whether it is ready, willing and able to perform its proper duties and functions. In the event that it determines that any such fire company is not able to adequately perform its duties, it may take appropriate action, including the denial of recognition of the fire company.
c. 
The Township Council shall, upon its own initiative, conduct hearings and suspend any member of any Township Fire Company in the event that any member is indicted for a crime of the fourth degree or greater as defined by the New Jersey Code of Criminal Justice Title 2C. In addition, the Township Council shall take action to permanently dismiss any person from any Township Volunteer Fire Company who is subject to forfeiture of public office as set forth in N.J.S.A. 2C:51-1 et seq. For the purposes of this section, any volunteer fireman is considered to be a public employee with reference to his or her membership in a Volunteer Fire Company.
[1974 Code § 15-25; Ord. No. 50-82; Ord. No. 01-6-OAB § 3]
a. 
The Chiefs of the various fire companies or other officers in the chain of command are hereby empowered to call upon Police Officers of the Township for such aid as may be necessary for the protection of property, and the Police Officers are hereby required to furnish such protection and assistance when so called upon.
b. 
The foregoing fire company officers are hereby given full and complete authority to secure the removal of any and all obstructions from, in front of and around fire hydrants. For such purposes, they are hereby authorized to call upon the heads of the Township departments for aid and assistance.
c. 
In the event of a working structure fire and/or any multiple alarm incident in Berkeley Township, the County 911 Dispatcher shall automatically dispatch the Pinewald Fire Company as the next responding unit. The Fire Chief on the scene may, at his/her discretion, call for any additional mutual aid that is necessary.
[1974 Code § 15-26; Ord. No. 85-13]
In addition to the foregoing, cadet members may be appointed to each of the departments created under this chapter. Such cadet members shall be from 14 years to 18 years of age at the time of their appointment and shall from time to time receive instruction and training in firefighting techniques. Any such cadet member shall not, however, under any circumstances, participate in any firefighting activities or any other activity prohibited by N.J.S.A. 34:21-17, known as the "New Jersey Child Labor Law," or any other relevant law. Any such cadet member shall not qualify as a voting member or officer of either of the departments aforesaid.
[1974 Code § 15-1; Ord. No. 2012-05-OAB § 1; Ord. No. 2015-24-OAB § 1]
The Fire Department shall be known as "Bayville Volunteer Fire Company No. 1" and shall consist of not more than 60 active members. All active members of the company shall be approved by the Township Council.
[1974 Code § 15-2; Ord. No. 452; Ord. No. 50-82; Ord. No. 91-06; Ord. No. 00-27-OAB § 1; Ord. No. 01-6-OAB § 4]
a. 
Each applicant for new membership as an active member of the Department shall have the following qualifications at the time of his or her application:
1. 
Be a citizen of the United States of America and a resident of the State of New Jersey.
2. 
Be of good moral character.
3. 
Be between the age of 18 and 50 years of age.
4. 
Be in good health, to be evidenced by a certificate to that effect by a licensed reputable physician of the State of New Jersey, which certificate shall state that the physician certifies that the applicant is physically fit to perform the duties of a fireman.
5. 
An applicant shall possess a valid New Jersey driver's license.
6. 
Shall be free from conviction of a crime of the fourth degree or greater as defined by the State of New Jersey or any other State. The applicant shall also be free of conviction of any crime of moral turpitude or the possession or use of a controlled dangerous substance. In the event a criminal conviction is more than 10 years old, the applicant may be admitted at the discretion of the Council.
b. 
If, at any time, an active member of the Department becomes ineligible for insurance coverage as a result of his health or is unable to perform the duties of a fireman, such active member shall automatically become an inactive member of the Department. It is the intention of this provision that no member of the Department shall participate in any of the firefighting or fire-prevention activities of the Department unless the member is physically fit to perform the duties of a fireman and is eligible and covered by the various insurance coverages of the Township of Berkeley.
c. 
The Township Clerk shall provide each applicant with the appropriate application form.
d. 
An applicant shall be a probationary member of the Department and shall be required to complete a minimum of six months of service in the company, or longer as may be conditioned by the Township Council. The Township Council may impose such conditions regarding probation as seen fit to protect the Township's interest. Such applicant must have an average of 60% attendance at fire duties and shall complete an accredited course in firefighting before he may qualify for permanent active rank. After the completion of service and study, the Chief of the Fire Company shall be the sole judge to determine whether the probationary member has qualified for active membership.
[1974 Code § 15-3; Ord. No. 452; Ord. No. 50-82]
Each active member to the Department shall perform 60% of the duties in the answering of fire alarms, actual attendance at duties, duty at fires and required drills in each and every year and such other duties as the Chiefs of the various fire companies may assign to him.
[1974 Code § 15-4; Ord. No. 452]
Each voting member shall be a resident of the State of New Jersey, and all officers of the company shall be citizens of the United States of America and residents of the State of New Jersey.
[1974 Code § 15-5]
The company shall choose from its list of active members the following officers: Chief, Assistant Chief, Captains and Engineers. All other officers shall be selected from the company's voting membership according to its respective rules, regulations and bylaws.
[1974 Code § 15-6; Ord. No. 133]
The name of each person elected to active membership in the company and proposed as a member of the Department shall be presented through the Secretary of the company to the Township Council for confirmation. The Township clerk shall keep a record of all active members confirmed by the Township Council, and the Township Clerk shall also record the annual percentages of attendance at fires and fire drills as reported by the company to the Township Clerk.
[1974 Code § 15-7]
An annual statement shall be furnished the Township Council by the Secretary of the fire company, listing the fire calls, drills, record of attendance at fires and fire drills and such other information as shall be requested by the Township Council.
[1974 Code § 15-8; Ord. No. 00-27-OAB § 2]
A second Fire Department in the Township of Berkeley shall be known as the "Manitou Park Volunteer Fire Company" and shall consist of not more than 60 active members. At least 10 members shall be residents of the senior citizen communities known as Holiday City or Silver Ridge. All active members of the company shall be approved by the Township Council.
[1974 Code § 15-9; Ord. No. 50-82; Ord. No. 91-06; Ord. No. 00-27-OAB § 2; Ord. No. 01-6-OAB § 5]
a. 
Each applicant for new membership as an active member of the Department shall have the following qualifications at the time of his or her application:
1. 
Be a citizen of the United States of America and a resident of the State of New Jersey.
2. 
Be of good moral character.
3. 
Be between the age of 18 and 60 years of age. Any applicant over the age of 50 must provide evidence of prior experience as a paid or volunteer fireman.
4. 
Be in good health, to be evidenced by a certificate to that effect by a licensed reputable physician of the State of New Jersey, which certificate shall state that the physician certifies that the applicant is physically fit to perform the duties of a fireman.
5. 
An applicant shall possess a valid New Jersey driver's license.
6. 
Shall be free from conviction of a crime of the fourth degree or greater as defined by the State of New Jersey or any other State. The applicant shall also be free of conviction of any crime of moral turpitude or the possession or use of a controlled dangerous substance. In the event a criminal conviction is more than 10 years old, the applicant may be admitted at the discretion of the Council.
b. 
If, at any time, an active member of the Department becomes ineligible for insurance coverage as a result of his health or is unable to perform the duties of a fireman, such active member shall automatically become an inactive member of the Department. It is the intention of this provision that no member of the Department shall participate in any of the firefighting or fire-prevention activities of the Department unless the member is physically fit to perform the duties of a fireman and is eligible and covered by the various insurance coverages of the Township of Berkeley.
c. 
The Township Clerk shall provide each applicant with the appropriate application form.
d. 
An applicant shall be a probationary member of the Department and shall be required to complete a minimum of six months of service in the company, or longer as may be conditioned by the Township Council. The Township Council may impose such conditions regarding probation as seen fit to protect the Township's interest. Such applicant must have an average of 60% attendance at fire duties and shall complete an accredited course in firefighting before he may qualify for permanent active rank. After the completion of service and study, the Chief of the fire company shall be the sole judge to determine whether the probationary member has qualified for active membership.
[1974 Code § 15-10; Ord. No. 50-82]
Each active member to the Department shall perform 60% of the duties in answering of fire alarms, actual attendance at duties, duty at fires and required drills in each and every year and such other duties as the Chiefs of the various fire companies may assign to him.
[1974 Code § 15-11; Ord. No. 50-82]
Each voting member shall be a resident of the State of New Jersey, and all officers of the company shall be citizens of the United States of America and residents of the State of New Jersey.
[1974 Code § 15-12]
The company shall choose from its list of active members the following officers: Chief, Assistant Chief, Captains and Engineers. All other officers shall be selected from the company's voting membership according to its respective rules, regulations and bylaws.
[1974 Code § 15-13]
The name of each person elected to active membership in the company and proposed as a member of the Department shall be presented through the Secretary of the company to the Township Council for confirmation. The Township Clerk shall keep a record of all active members confirmed by the Township Council, and the Township Clerk shall also record the annual percentages of attendance at fires and fire drills as reported by the company to the Township Clerk.
[1974 Code § 15-14]
An annual statement shall be furnished the Township Council by the Secretary of the fire company, listing the fire calls, drills, record of attendance at fires and fire drills and such other information as shall be requested by the Township Council.
[1974 Code § 15-15; Ord. No. 50-82; Ord. No. 89-6; Ord. No. 2012-05-OAB § 2; Ord. No. 2015-24-OAB § 2]
A third fire company in the Township of Berkeley is hereby authorized, subject to the conditions herein, and shall be known as the "Pinewald Pioneer Volunteer Fire Company No. 1" or such other name as shall be approved by the Township Council by amendment to this section and shall consist of not more than 60 active members. All active members of the company shall be approved by the Township Council.
[1974 Code § 15-16; Ord. No. 50-82; Ord. No. 84-6; Ord. No. 91-06; Ord. No. 00-27-OAB § 3; Ord. No. 01-6-OAB § 6]
a. 
Each applicant for new membership as an active member of the Department shall have the following qualifications at the time of his or her application:
1. 
Be a citizen of the United States of America and a resident of the State of New Jersey.
2. 
Be of good moral character.
3. 
Be between the age of 18 and 50 years of age, except that this subsection shall not apply to any individual who shall have been accepted for membership in the fire company which is the subject of subsection 14-64.1 as of or prior to the effective date of this section.
4. 
Be in good health, to be evidenced by a certificate to that effect by a licensed reputable physician of the State of New Jersey, which certificate shall state that the physician certifies that the applicant is physically fit to perform the duties of a fireman.
5. 
An applicant shall possess a valid New Jersey driver's license.
6. 
Shall be free from conviction of a crime of the fourth degree or greater as defined by the State of New Jersey or any other State. The applicant shall also be free of conviction of any crime of moral turpitude or the possession or use of a controlled dangerous substance. In the event a criminal conviction is more than 10 years old, the applicant may be admitted at the discretion of the Council.
b. 
If, at any time, an active member of the Department becomes ineligible for insurance coverage as a result of his health or is unable to perform the duties of a fireman, such active member shall automatically become an inactive member of the Department. It is the intention of this provision that no member of the Department shall participate in any of the firefighting or fire-prevention activities of the Department unless the member is physically fit to perform the duties of a fireman and is eligible and covered by the various insurance coverages of the Township of Berkeley.
c. 
The Township Clerk shall provide each applicant with the appropriate application form.
d. 
An applicant shall be a probationary member of the Department and shall be required to complete a minimum of six months of service in the company, or longer as may be conditioned by the Township Council. The Township Council may impose such conditions regarding probation as seen fit to protect the Township's interest. Such applicant must have an average of 60% attendance at fire duties and shall complete an accredited course in firefighting before he may qualify for permanent active rank. After the completion of service and study, the Chief of the fire company shall be the sole judge to determine whether the probationary member has qualified for active membership.
[1974 Code § 15-17; Ord. No. 50-82]
Each active members to the Department shall perform 60% of the duties in the answering of fire alarms, actual attendance at duties, duty at fires and required drills in each and every year and such other duties as the Chiefs of the various fire companies may assign to him.
[1974 Code § 15-18; Ord. No. 50-82]
Each voting member shall be a resident of the State of New Jersey, and all officers of the company shall be citizens of the United States of America and residents of the State of New Jersey.
[1974 Code § 15-19; Ord. No. 50-82]
The company shall choose from its list of active members the following officers: Chief, Assistant Chief, Captains and engineers. All other officers shall be selected from the company's voting membership according to its respective rules, regulations and bylaws.
[1974 Code § 15-20; Ord. No. 50-82]
The name of each person elected to active membership in the company and proposed as a member of the Department shall be presented through the Secretary of the company to the Township Council for confirmation. The Township Clerk shall keep a record of all active members confirmed by the Township Council, and the Township Clerk shall also record the annual percentages of attendance at fires and fire drills as reported by the company to the Township Clerk.
[1974 Code § 15-21; Ord. No. 50-82]
An annual statement shall be furnished the Township Council by the Secretary of the fire company, listing the fire calls, drills, record of attendance at fires and fire drills and such other information as shall be requested by the Township Council.
[1974 Code § 15-22; Ord. No. 50-82; Ord. No. 89-6]
The Pinewald Pioneer Volunteer Fire Company No. 1 is hereby designated as a fully operational structural volunteer fire company in the Township of Berkeley. The areas of jurisdiction have been designated as provided for herein by resolution of the Township Council.