It is the purpose of this chapter to establish the Holland Township Volunteer Fire Company, Inc., as the Township's official volunteer fire company in order to facilitate its entry into the New Jersey State Firemen's Association.
[HISTORY: Adopted by the Township Committee of the Township of Holland 7-5-1983 by Ord. No. 83-11. Amendments noted where applicable.]
It is hereby determined and declared that the Holland Township Volunteer Fire Company, Inc., a duly incorporated volunteer fire company of the State of New Jersey, is the official volunteer fire company of this Township.
[Amended 10-7-2025 by Ord. No. 2025-16]
No person shall hereafter become a member of the Holland Township Volunteer Fire Company, Inc., or any unit thereof unless, at the time of appointment, such person is above the age of 18 years to be a regular firefighter, or 14 to be a Junior Firefighter, a resident of this Township and a citizen of the United States of good moral character. He or she shall be physically fit to perform the duties of a firefighter as evidenced by a certificate to that effect by a practicing physician of the State of New Jersey. This certificate shall be provided at either the member's own expense or the expense of the Holland Township Volunteer Fire Company, Inc.
[Amended 10-7-2025 by Ord. No. 2025-16]
A. FIRE DUTY SIXTY PERCENT OF DUTY
Every member of the Fire Company shall, in each and every year, perform at least 60% of fire duty, as defined by N.J.S.A. 40A:14-55 and 40A:14-56. These statutory definitions are as follows:
Active participation in the usual duties of a firefighter under the direction and supervision of the official in charge of the Fire Department and force.
Actual recorded attendance and rendering of fire service at not less than 60% of regular alarms of fire answerable by the members during any calendar year; the total number of alarms used in computing said percentage may include not more than 20 fire drills called at the direction of the official in charge of the Fire Department or force.
B.
A record shall be kept of such attendance and duty by the Chief of the Fire Company and reported to the Township Committee annually.
[Amended 10-7-2025 by Ord. No. 2025-16]
Each person seeking to join the Holland Township Volunteer Fire Company. Inc., shall make application to the Fire Company, and, upon election to membership by vote of a majority of the unit present and voting, he or she shall become a member in good standing of the Holland Township Volunteer Fire Company, Inc., after approval of his or her membership by the Chief of the Fire Company and confirmation by the Township Committee. His or her name shall be entered on a roll of firefighter kept by the Township Clerk.
Upon adoption of this chapter, the Township Clerk is hereby authorized and directed to forward a certified copy of this chapter to the New Jersey State Firemen's Association.
[Added 10-7-2025 by Ord. No. 2025-16]
An Auxiliary Division is established under the direction of the Holland Township Volunteer Fire Company. The name shall be "Holland Township Volunteer Fire Company Auxiliary." Members of the Auxiliary Division are to be approved by the Auxiliary in accordance with eligibility requirements established by the Auxiliary and approved by the Township Committee. While no rank structure is permitted, the Auxiliary may organize itself by establishing offices. Members shall not be deemed members of the Company, shall not be eligible for LOSAP or clothing allowance, and shall not be eligible to vote in any departmental election. The purpose of the Auxiliary Division is to provide support to the Company. The members shall perform such duties in accordance with the directions of the Chief of the Company or any incident commander. Members of the Auxiliary may be removed in accordance with any policy for removal established by the Auxiliary and approved by the Township Committee.
[Added 10-7-2025 by Ord. No. 2025-16]
A.
Junior Firefighters Program. This establishes a Junior Firefighters Program for eligible individuals ages 14 through 17. Rules and regulations establishing such academy, eligibility and membership requirements shall be established by the Fire Company consistent with federal and state law or regulation. In no event shall any junior firefighter be eligible for LOSAP or clothing allowance or take part in any departmental election.
B.
Membership requirements for Junior Firefighters. A person who is not less than 14 or more than 18 years of age shall be eligible for membership as a Junior Firefighter. Prior to being accepted for membership as a Junior Firefighter, a person eligible pursuant to Subsection A of this section shall:
(1)
Obtain permission to join the Junior Firefighters from the person's parents or guardian. Permission shall be granted in writing on a form prescribed by the Commissioner of Community Affairs;
(2)
Complete an application and be interviewed by officers of the fire company with a parent or guardian present; and
(3)
Submit documentation from a qualified physician verifying that the person is medically able to perform the duties of a Junior Firefighter as established by the Fire Company consistent with federal and state law or regulation.