[HISTORY: Adopted by the Township Council of the Township of Monroe 7-5-1978 by Ord. No. O-23-78 (appeared as Ch. 34A of the 1967 Code); amended in its entirety 2-25-2026 by Ord. No. O:11-2026. Subsequent amendments noted where applicable.]
There is hereby authorized and established the Monroe Township Fire Department, to be composed of two companies, to be known as the "Williamstown Fire Company No. I, Inc," and the "Cecil Fire Company No. 1, Inc.," and such additional companies as the Township Council of the Township of Monroe may authorize and approve.
No person shall hereafter become a member of the Fire Department of the Township of Monroe or any unit thereof unless said person is a citizen of the United States, is of good moral character, meets the minimum requirements set forth by each Williamstown and Cecil Fire Company's by-laws respectfully and successfully completes the application process through the Township of Monroe's Human Resources Department. He/she shall conform with the age and other such regulations as set forth in the New Jersey State Firemen's Relief Association and the Township. The member shall be physically fit to perform the duties of a firefighter, evidenced by a certificate to that effect by a practicing physician of the State of New Jersey, after physical examination for that purpose.
Every member of the Fire Department shall, in each and every year, perform his/her duty consistent with the by-laws set forth by each company, to be composed of actual attendance and duty at fires and drills. A record shall be kept of such attendance and duty by the Chief of the Fire Company.
All persons seeking to join the Fire Department shall make applications to the company which they desire to join and, upon their acceptance to membership, they shall become members in good standing of the Fire Department after approval of same by the Chief of said Company and confirmation by the Township of Monroe's Human Resources Department. The names of the particular individuals shall be entered on a roll of firefighters maintained by the Human Resources Department.
Exemption certificates may be issued for members of the Fire Company who shall have served seven years of active duty, under municipal control, as required by N.J.S.A. 40A:14-55 through N.J.S.A. 40A 14-59.
There is hereby authorized and established the Williamstown Fire Company No. 1, Inc., and Cecil Fire Company No. 1, Inc., Junior Firefighter's Program and such additional programs as the Township Council may authorize and approve.
A. 
There is hereby established the following requirements for membership in the Program:
(1) 
Must be at least 16 years of age but less than 18 years of age. A copy of applicant's birth certificate is required.
(2) 
The applicant must live within the boundaries covered by Williamstown Fire Company No. 1 and Cecil Fire Company No. 1, Inc.
(3) 
The applicant must have written permission from his/her parents or legal guardian.
(4) 
The applicant must submit a properly completed application to the Chief. The application must be approved by the line officers prior to acceptance.
(5) 
The applicant must have a physical from the Monroe Township physician approving him/her for appointment.
(6) 
Once approved, the junior member is not entitled to attend fire company meetings, but may respond to calls and attend drills between the hours of 0600 hours and 2200 hours. Junior members are not permitted to respond to calls between the hours 2200 hours and 0600 hours.
(7) 
Junior members are responsible for their own transportation to and from the firehouse.
(8) 
Junior members, while enrolled in school, must provide their report card to the Program Director/Chief indicating that they have maintained a C average. If their grades fall below a C average, they will be dismissed immediately until their grades return to a C.
(9) 
The parent/guardian may request the dismissal or suspension of their child.
(10) 
The members shall be required to comply with any and all other provisions as required by law.
B. 
The Williamstown Fire Company No. 1, Inc., and Cecil Fire Company No. 1, Inc., shall establish all of the operating procedures that are necessary in order to promote fire fighting pursuant to the acceptable standards as required by state, local and federal requirements.