All applicants for junior firefighter membership shall be subject
to the same residency rules as regular members and be 16 or 17 years
of age. All applications for membership shall be in writing on a form
provided by the department. Applicants will be physically and mentally
fit to perform the duties of a junior firefighter, evidenced by completing
a physical provided by a physician selected by Princeton. All applicants
must include a letter of written permission from the applicant's parents
or legal guardians and high school principal or guidance counselor.
Junior firefighters will be limited to 15 per company. Fine and dues
structure of regular members do not apply to junior firefighters.
Applicants for junior firefighter shall be approved by the recruiting
committee and by the fire company in which they wish to serve, after
which they shall be sworn in at a meeting of the council.
The term of a junior firefighter shall expire when such junior firefighter
is appointed to membership by the mayor and council pursuant to section
8-7 or when the junior firefighter reaches the age of 18 and 1/2 years
of age, whichever occurs first.
All junior firefighters shall be subject to all fire department rules,
regulations and procedures, this chapter and applicable Princeton
ordinances, all as may be amended from time to time. In addition,
the following rules and regulations apply.
Violation of any of the requirements described or listed in this section may result in discipline as set forth in subsection (c) or (d) of this section as applicable.
All junior firefighters must maintain a passing academic average
to continue membership. If it is determined that a member is not keeping
a passing average, said member will not be allowed to participate
until the average is brought up to a passing level.
Junior firefighters shall vacate the firehouse by 10:00 p.m.
on nights preceding a scheduled school day, and by 11:00 p.m. on all
other nights. On special occasions, a company may grant permission
for the juniors to remain later.
Junior firefighters shall at all times be in the direct charge
of the line officers and advisors of the particular fire company and
shall obey their orders.
At no time shall any junior firefighter obtain or consume any
alcoholic beverage on Princeton fire department property. No junior
member shall at any time consume any drug or controlled dangerous
substance on Princeton fire department property.
Junior firefighters may be allowed to assist the driver with
hooking and unhooking hose lines, getting equipment, relaying messages
and other duties as assigned by the driver or any fire department
officer. Junior firefighters may also train on equipment as authorized
by an officer at training drills.
Junior firefighters may not hold or direct a charged hose line
during a priority incident, nor may they hold or operate any power
equipment. In addition, junior firefighters may not participate in
the mitigation of hazardous materials incident or in any area of immediate
danger. Junior firefighters may not don an SCBA at the scene of an
incident.
Junior firefighters may not leave school for any Princeton fire
department activity at call, nor may they wear a Princeton fire department
pager while at school.
Failure to abide by the requirements for junior membership as established
by this chapter shall subject a junior member to summary dismissal
by the chief. Any junior member aggrieved by such an action may request
an appeal hearing by the fire chief, deputy chief and assistant fire
chief who by majority vote may affirm or reject the summary dismissal
and whose decision shall be final.
Junior firefighters not following the rules and regulations of the
fire company in which they serve may be disciplined, up to and including
summary dismissal by vote of the fire company members, with no right
of appeal.
Junior firefighters may elect two officers, a president and a secretary.
The juniors may conduct their own meetings provided at least one advisor
is present. Any suggestions or requests from a meeting of the juniors
will be presented to the department by the advisors or in a letter
from the juniors' secretary. Requests for information on fires shall
be referred to the chief; requests for information on company matters
shall be referred to the president.
Two or more advisors shall be appointed by the chief of the department.
It shall be the duty of the advisors to oversee the juniors and enforce
the rules and regulations governing them. At least one of the advisors
will be a line officer.