Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40A:14-156.1, there is
hereby established a reciprocal mutual aid agreement with all other
municipalities located in Cumberland County, New Jersey, who adopt
a reciprocal ordinance with the City to provide mutual fire aid in
case of emergency. This reciprocal mutual aid agreement will apply
whenever the City has an emergency within its boundaries requiring
additional fire assistance to protect life and property, and whenever
another municipality within Cumberland County, who has enacted a reciprocal
ordinance, may experience a similar emergency requiring additional
fire assistance.
The Fire Chief of the City shall provide assistance
to another municipality or municipalities within Cumberland County
making a valid request to supply personnel and equipment as required
to the extent possible without endangering persons or property within
the City. The members of the Fire Department supplying aid shall have
the same power, authority, rights and immunities as the members of
the Fire Department of the municipality to which assistance is rendered.
The City shall upon providing assistance to
another municipality assume the cost and expenses of providing its
personnel and equipment to the requesting municipality, except in
the instance when the requesting municipality receives state or federal
aid by way of reimbursement. In such circumstances, the cost incurred
by the City shall be submitted for reimbursement to the municipality
requesting assistance.
Members of the Fire Department of the City suffering
injury or death while rendering assistance to another municipality
shall be entitled to all benefits they would have realized if injury
or death occurred in the performance of their normal duties within
the City.