[Amended 10-13-2015 by Ord. No. 2015-36]
The Volunteer Fire Department of the Borough as heretofore created
and established is hereby continued.
[Amended 10-13-2015 by Ord. No. 2015-36]
The members of the Volunteer Fire Department shall consist of
a Fire Commissioner, Department Chief, Assistant Chief, Deputy Chief,
Battalion Chief and such other men as are hereinafter provided for.
[Amended 10-13-2015 by Ord. No. 2015-36]
The uniformed force of the Volunteer Fire Department shall consist
of a Department Chief, Assistant Chief, Deputy Chief, Battalion Chief
and as many other officers and members as are or may be elected and
approved by the Mayor and Council.
[Amended 10-13-2015 by Ord. No. 2015-36]
No applicant shall be eligible to become a member of any unit
of the Volunteer Fire Department of the Borough of Paramus unless
such person shall possess the following qualifications. Such person
shall:
A.
Be
at least 18 years of age.
B.
Be
a citizen of the United States or you must be legally present in the
United States, and able to provide a passport, I-94 card, I-797 form,
your employment authorization document or other government issued
documents proving your legal presence in the United States.
C.
Be
a resident of the Borough for not less than one year; provided, however,
that if the applicant, having the other qualifications listed in this
section, shall have been an active fire fighter in another New Jersey
municipality at the time of his removal from such municipality to
the Borough, he shall be eligible at once for membership in the Volunteer
Fire Department without having been a resident of the Borough for
one year. Such residence requirement may also be waived in the case
of a former resident of the Borough who had been a member in good
standing of any unit of the Paramus Volunteer Fire Department during
the period of such former residence, upon application by such person
when he again takes up residence in the Borough.
[Amended 5-23-1995 by Ord. No. 95-23]
D.
Satisfactorily
complete a physical fitness performance test approved by the Board
of Fire Officers.
E.
Be
physically fit to perform the duties of a fireman, said fitness to
be evidenced by a certificate to that effect, made by a practicing
physician of the State of New Jersey approved by the Board of Fire
Officers.
F.
Be
subject to a criminal and motor vehicle record check.
[Amended 10-13-2015 by Ord. No. 2015-36]
B.
After application has been made, the applicant will take the physical fitness performance test prescribed in § 47-4D.
C.
Upon satisfactory completion of the physical fitness performance test, the applicant will take the physical examination prescribed in § 47-4E.
D.
After completion of all qualifications prescribed in Subsections B and C of this section, the name of the applicant shall be prescribed to the Board of Fire Officers for approval. After approval by the Board of Fire Officers, the name of the applicant shall be presented to the Mayor and Council for confirmation. No name not approved by the Board of Fire Officers shall be presented to the Mayor and Council.
[Amended 10-13-2015 by Ord. No. 2015-36]
A.
The
names of the members shall be written upon the membership roll maintained
by the Borough Clerk.
B.
A
member shall be given a badge and photo identification card as evidence
of membership. The badge and photo identification card shall be surrendered
to the Chief when demanded or whenever the member is under charges
involving moral turpitude or neglect of duty or, for any cause, shall
cease to be an active fireman.
[Amended 10-13-2015 by Ord. No. 2015-36]
The Board of Fire Officers shall recommend the appointment of
one or more mechanics to the Volunteer Fire Department, who shall
be charged with the duty of maintaining the motors, lights and the
like of the different apparatuses in good condition and ready for
immediate service. Such recommendation shall be referred to the Mayor
and Council for confirmation or rejection.
[1]
Editor's Note: Prior History: Prior section was deleted in
entirety by Ord. No. 09-27, 11-24-09
[Amended 12-8-1987 by Ord. No. 87-45; 3-22-1988 by Ord. No. 88-6; 11-24-1992 by Ord. No. 92-23; 5-23-1995 by Ord. No. 95-22; 5-23-1995 by Ord. No. 95-23; 12-12-2000 by Ord. No. 00-47; 4-29-2003 by Ord. No. 03-14; 2-26-2008 by Ord. No. 08-1; 10-14-2008 by Ord. No. 08-34; 11-24-2009 by Ord. No. 09-27; 10-13-2015 by Ord. No. 2015-36]
Members shall be divided into eight major classifications, to
be as follows:
A.
Active
member:
Any member who has not attained the age of 65 years and who
is physically fit to perform all departmental duties, including answering
alarms, actual attendance at fires and drills and other duly fixed
duties, shall be deemed an active member.
B.
Active
life member:[1]
(1)
Any active member, upon attaining the age of 60 years, shall be entitled
to become an active life member by submitting a letter of intent to
the Board of Fire Officers.
(2)
Any active member, who attains the age of 65 years and does not become
a senior limited member, must become an active life member. Any senior
limited member failing to be certified by an appointed physician must
become an active life member. An active life member shall have all
the rights, duties and privileges of an active member, except voting
for firematic officers, and this member shall not serve in the capacity
of a fire fighter in the answering of alarms or actual attendance
at fires or drills, nor shall this member be allowed to ride upon
any fire apparatus (except to parades or conventions). Active life
members shall be entitled to receive the same compensations as an
active member; also to create a special roster to which these members
will be affixed, so that the active roster will not be jeopardized.
[1]
Editor's Note: Ord. No. 08-1 stated that any person who is
an active life member on the date of the adoption of Ord. No. 08-1,
who otherwise meets the requirements of a senior limited member, may
apply within six months of the adoption of this Ord. No. 08-1 to become
a senior limited member, and may not apply after that six-month period.
C.
Limited
service member:
(1)
Active: Any member with 10 years and physically unfit for firematic
duty may request to the Board of Fire Officers to be classified as
a limited service member within either of the following two categories
to be determined by the active fire fighter's classification at the
time of his or her application for limited service membership.
(a)
Limited fire fighter: This limited service member must be physically
fit to don turnout gear and perform the roles of safety officer and
accountability officer as certified to by a licensed physician of
the State of New Jersey. This limited service member must possess
a National Fire Academy safety officer certificate or equivalent certificate
recognized by the New Jersey Division of Fire Safety. This limited
service member may not perform any fire suppression duties or don
a self-contained breathing apparatus. This member shall be permitted
to drive only safety and Chief vehicles. This limited service member
shall not be eligible to hold firematic office.
(b)
Limited motor pump operator: This limited service member must
be physically fit to don turnout gear and to perform the role of motor
pump operator as certified by a licensed physician of the State of
New Jersey. This limited service member must be an existing motor
pump operator and must meet the motor pump operator requirements as
outlined in the Department Rules and Regulations. This limited service
member shall not be eligible to hold firematic office.
(2)
Inactive: Any active member who has become physically unfit for firematic
duty because of permanent injury, with medical certification, and
is capable of performing duties other than at fires or drills shall
be known as a "limited-service inactive member." These limited-service
inactive members shall have all the rights, duties and privileges
of an active member, except that this member shall not serve in the
capacity of a fire fighter in the answering of alarms or actual attendance
at fires or drills, nor shall this member be allowed to ride upon
any fire apparatus (except to parades or conventions). Limited-service
inactive members shall be entitled to receive the same compensations
as an active member; also to create a special roster to which these
members will be affixed, so that the active roster will not be jeopardized.
(3)
Every limited service member shall have a physical fitness for duty
exam performed by a Borough-appointed physician prior to being accepted
into this classification and subsequently at least every two years
at the Borough's expense. A member may only continue to serve as a
limited service member if said physician certifies that the member
can perform the duties of limited service member as defined.
D.
Out-of-town
members:
(1)
An active fire fighter of the Paramus Volunteer Fire Department who establishes residency in another community that directly borders the Borough of Paramus is eligible to remain a member of the Department and have all the rights, duties and privileges of a member living in Paramus. Said members may hold the position of officer in the Department as long as member meets all requirements for the desired position as stated in Rules and Regulations Chapter 3, Article 1. Said members shall be subject to the requirements of § 47-4 of this Part 1 in which event said member may remain in his previously assigned company.
(2)
An active fire fighter of the Paramus Volunteer Fire Department who establishes residency in another community within New Jersey but is employed in the Borough of Paramus and available to respond to fires or emergencies during the hours of employment shall be subject to the requirements of § 47-4 of this Part 1 in which event said member may remain in his previously assigned company. Said member shall have all the rights, duties and privileges of a member living in Paramus, except the member cannot hold a position of officer within the Department.
(3)
An active fire fighter from a New Jersey municipality that does not directly border Paramus who is employed in the Borough of Paramus and is available to respond to fires or emergencies during the hours of his or her employment. This member shall be subject to the requirements of Section 47-4 and 47-5 of this Article and shall be required to meet all of the standards contained in Department Rules and Regulations. Said member shall have all the rights, duties and privileges of a member living in Paramus, except the member may not hold an officer position within the Department.
(4)
Any member who moves from the Borough and is requesting out-of-town
status must apply for such status in writing to the Chief of the Department
at the time he or she moves from the Borough of Paramus. All requests
for out-of-town status as provided hereinabove shall be subject to
approval by the Board of Fire Officers.
E.
Probationary
members:
Any person, upon completion of the requirements of §§ 47-4 and 47-5, will be classified as a probationary member for a period of not less than one year. During the course of this period, the probationary member will be required to maintain his or her percentage in accordance with the rules and regulations of this Department. The probationary member will also be required to complete and pass the Fire Fighter I and Defensive Driving Course. The probation period may be extended due to the unavailability of schools. Upon successfully completing the above requirements, and after being voted on and accepted by the Board of Fire Officers, the probationary member will then become an active member.
F.
Junior
fire fighter:
(1)
The Fire Department shall be permitted to maintain a junior fire
fighter program. No person shall be eligible to become a junior fire
fighter unless such person possesses the following qualifications.
Such person shall:
(a)
Be no less than 16 years of age nor more than 25 years of age.
(b)
Be a resident of the Borough for not less than one year.
(c)
Be a citizen of the United States.
(d)
Be physically fit to perform the duties of a junior fire fighter
and be evidenced by a certificate to that effect, made by a practicing
physician of the State of New Jersey approved by the Borough.
(e)
Provide documentation of consent from a parent or legal guardian.
(f)
Provide a release form signed by a parent or legal guardian to allow
for emergency medical treatment.
(2)
All above documentation and proofs shall be forwarded to and maintained
by the Secretary of the Board of Fire Officers.
(3)
Junior fire fighters shall make application to the company to which they will be assigned. After application has been made and all documentation has been provided, the applicant will take a physical examination as prescribed in § 47-8F(1)(d) above.
(4)
After the completion of all qualifications prescribed in this subsection,
the name of the applicant shall be prescribed to the Board of Fire
Officers for approval. Upon approval of the Board of Fire Officers,
the name shall be presented to the Mayor and Council for confirmation.
Any name not approved by the Board of Fire Officers shall not be presented
to the Mayor and Council.
(5)
Each company may have a maximum of 10 junior fire fighters on active
rolls.
(6)
Junior fire fighters shall not be permitted to operate any Department
motor vehicle apparatus.
(7)
Junior fire fighters shall not be eligible for any monetary compensation.
(8)
Junior fire fighters shall be required to follow all rules and regulations
of the Fire Department. Any junior fire fighter who violates said
rules and regulations may be dismissed.
G.
Senior
limited member:
(1)
Any member, within six months of reaching the age of 65 years, may
request to be classified as a senior limited member within either
of the following two categories to be determined by the active fire
fighter's classification at the time of his or her application for
senior limited membership.
(a)
Senior limited fire fighter- This senior limited member must
be physically fit to don turnout gear and perform the roles of safety
officer and accountability officer as certified to by a licensed physician
of the State of New Jersey. This senior limited member must possess
a National Fire Academy safety officer certificate or equivalent certificate
recognized by the New Jersey Division of Fire Safety. This senior
limited member may not perform any fire suppression duties or don
a self-contained breathing apparatus. This member shall be permitted
to drive only safety and Chief vehicles. This senior limited member
shall not be eligible to hold firematic office.
(b)
Senior limited motor pump operator- This senior limited member
must be physically fit to don turnout gear and to perform the role
of motor pump operator as certified by a licensed physician of the
State of New Jersey. This senior limited member must be an existing
motor pump operator and must meet the motor pump operator requirements
as outlined in the Department Rules and Regulations. This senior limited
member shall not be eligible to hold firematic office.
(2)
Every senior limited member shall have a physical fitness for duty
exam performed by a Borough-appointed physician prior to being accepted
into this classification and subsequently at least every two years
at the Borough's expense. A member may only continue to serve as a
senior limited member if said physician certifies that the member
can perform the duties of senior limited member as defined.
(3)
No person shall serve as a senior limited member if the appointed
physician fails to certify that the member can perform the duties
of a senior limited member. Any member who is not certified by an
appointed physician must become an active life member.[2]
[2]
Editor's Note: Former Subsection H, Fire Department Hazardous
Materials Emergency Response Team Members, which immediately followed,
was repealed 10-10-2023 by Ord. No. 2023-39.
[Amended 10-13-2015 by Ord. No. 2015-36]
The fire fighter shall be qualified as active, active and employed
in the Borough and out-of-towners and shall be divided into companies
each to consist of no more than 50 fire fighters. Each company shall
not have more than five out-of-towners on its roll.
[Amended 10-13-2015 by Ord. No. 2015-36]
Companies may be disbanded in the following manner:
A.
Upon the written request to the Mayor and Council of a majority of
the duly qualified members of any company, said company may be disbanded
by order of the Mayor and Council; or
B.
Should the Mayor and Council consider at any time that the interests
of the Borough will be best served by the disbandment of any or all
of the fire companies, either for neglect of duty or disobedience
of orders or for any other cause or in the interest of economy, they
may do so at any regular meeting by a majority vote of the full membership
of the Council, 30 days notice having previously been given to the
Secretaries of such companies and the members of the Council.
