[Amended 8-18-2015 by Ord. No. 2015-28]
The Rescue Squad of the Borough, as heretofore created and established,
is hereby continued.
[Amended 8-18-2015 by Ord. No. 2015-28]
The internal operation of the Rescue Squad shall be under the
jurisdiction of the Chief of the Rescue Squad.
[Amended 8-18-2015 by Ord. No. 2015-28]
The members of the Rescue Squad shall consist of a Chief, Captain,
two Lieutenants and such other members as are hereinafter provided
for.
[Amended 8-18-2015 by Ord. No. 2015-28]
No applicant shall be eligible to become a member of the Rescue
Squad of the Borough unless he meets the following qualifications:
A. Be not less than 18 years of age.
B. Be a citizen of 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 Rescueman 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
Rescue Squad 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
or was an active member of a Rescue Squad, Fire Department or Ambulance
Corps of another town.
D. Satisfactorily complete a physical fitness and aptitude test approved
by the Board of Rescue Officers.
E. Be physically fit to perform the duties of a Rescueman, said fitness
to be determined by a physical examination and written statement from
a practicing physician of the State of New Jersey approved by the
Board of Rescue Officers.
F. Be subject to a criminal and motor vehicle record background check.
G. Be interviewed by the Board of Rescue Officers.
H. Out-of-town - active member of the Paramus Rescue Squad for at least
one year who moves to a town immediately adjoining the Borough of
Paramus. (This is to be waived for any current member residing in
another town.) A member may also consist of a person residing outside
the Borough and boundary explained above if they are employed full-time
within the Borough of Paramus. A letter must be given to the Rescue
Squad from the employer allowing the person to leave work to respond
to calls. Upon leaving employment and not meeting other residency
requirements, they must resign from the Paramus Rescue Squad. 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 Rescue Squad.
[Amended 8-18-2015 by Ord. No. 2015-28]
A. All applicants will receive applications from the Captain of the
Rescue Squad. Prospective applicants for membership, excluding the
Junior Program, must attend four Monday-night sessions prior to receiving
an application. Attendance will be defined as attendance during the
entire Monday-night session, until relieved by an officer.
B. A physical is to be taken by applicants from an approved Rescue Squad
physician. He will be advised as to specifics.
C. Upon completion of a physical, a test will be conducted in accordance
with the rules and regulations of the Paramus Fire Department concerning
testing of new applicants.
(1) The test shall be given by an officer of the Squad and/or Fire Department.
(2) A grade of 70% is required to become a probationary Rescueman.
(3) One (1) year probation period, a Rescueman in this category may be
terminated at anytime within the year by the Rescue Officers. Junior
members, who have a minimum of one (1) year of service, who advance
to the rank of probationary member may, at the discretion of the Board
of Rescue Officers, be afforded a six (6) month probationary period
if their junior percentage was 50% or higher during their time in
the Junior program, provided all training requirements have been fulfilled.
(4) The Board of Rescue Officers will review the test results and interview
the applicant before membership approval.
[Amended 8-18-2015 by Ord. No. 2015-28]
A. Appointment of personnel is made by the Board of Rescue Officers
with the approval of the Mayor and Council.
B. Members may resign by notifying in writing the Chief of the Rescue
Squad of the intention of so doing, and by returning all equipment
issued to them.
[Amended 8-18-2015 by Ord. No. 2015-28]
Membership shall be divided into four major classifications:
A. Active members. Any member who is physically fit to perform all Squad
duties, including answering alarms, actual attendance and duty at
calls, drills and other duly fixed rescue duties, shall be deemed
an active member.
(1) In addition, in order to remain active, a member must have the current
training listed below:
(a)
First Responder (or higher equivalent).
(d)
Approved heavy rescue school (Hammonton prior to 1980).
(f)
Hazardous material awareness.
(g)
Confined space awareness.
(h)
Hazardous material operations.
(2) Effective January 1, 2003, the member holding the certification will
present only original training documents to the Rescue Officer in
charge of training or the Chief of the Rescue Squad. This officer
will document on a copy that they will make as to the receipt of the
document.
(3) All members may be required to attend all required Borough training
on specific intervals. This training includes, but is not limited
to:
(a)
Annual bloodborne pathogen training.
(c)
Incident command refresher.
(d)
Weapons of mass destruction awareness.
(e)
Weapons of mass destruction operational.
Such training is encouraged by the Board of Rescue Officers,
but will not affect membership status unless required by the Borough
of Paramus.
(4) Active members must attend at least two Monday night meetings a month.
(5) Active members must maintain at least 40% credit as defined by the
record keeping of the Board of Rescue Officers.
(6) The qualifications outlined in (1), (2) and (3) above will be reviewed
twice a year to ascertain that the qualifications are met. If a member
is found not to have met all criteria, they may be placed on probation
for a six-month period or until the deficient criteria is met. If
after six months the member has not been shown to meet the basic qualifications,
they may be dropped from the Paramus Rescue Squad.
B. Active-life members. Any active member upon attaining 15 years of
service shall be entitled to become an active-life member. Such active-life
members shall have all the rights, duties and privileges of an active
member, except that they shall not have to serve in the capacity of
a Rescueman in the answering of alarms, actual attendance and duty
at rescues or drills. Active-life members shall be entitled to receive
the same compensation as active members.
C. Limited-service active member.
(1) Any active member who has become physically unfit for rescue duty
due to injury with medical certification may apply for limited-service
status to the Board of Rescue Officers in writing.
(2) The term of limited service shall be for a period of up to 60 days.
If after 60 days the member is still unfit for service, he or she
may reapply for up to two additional sixty-day terms. If after a total
of 180 days a member is still unable to return to active service,
he or she may be dropped from the Paramus Rescue Squad roster. Upon
medical certification indicating a person is able to perform the duties
of a rescue member, he or she may reapply for active membership to
the Paramus Rescue Squad. If a limited-service member becomes an active
member he or she will be given seniority for previous active time
served.
(3) As a limited-service active member, a member will be required to
attend all meetings and non-physical training.
D. Leave of absence. Any active member may apply in writing to the Board
of Rescue Officers for a period of up to 60-day leave of absence.
After 60 days, a member may reapply for up to two additional sixty-day
terms. If after a total of 180 days a member is unable to return to
active service, he or she will be dropped from the Paramus Rescue
Squad.
E. Retired rescue service. Any active member or active life member,
upon attaining the age of sixty-five (65) years, who is not physically
fit for active service as certified by a Board-approved physician,
must become a retired rescue member. The retired member will be entitled
to the annual compensation only if the member was an active-life member
upon entering the retired category. The retired member shall have
all the rights and duties as an active member except voting for Rescue
Officers. This member shall not serve in the capacity of a rescue
person in the answering of calls or attendance at drills.
[Amended 8-18-2015 by Ord. No. 2015-28]
A. Qualifications.
(1) Active members of the program will have passed their 16th birthday
and will not have passed their 25th birthday.
(2) Members must be residents of the Borough of Paramus for at least
1 year.
(3) Each applicant must submit an application accompanied by the proper
consent papers signed by his or her parents or legal guardians.
(4) Application for membership will be made to the Captain of the Rescue
Squad. Upon request, the Captain will furnish an application. The
Captain will also furnish a parental consent form, medical examination
form, and a release to treat form.
(5) The completed application, parental consent, medical examination,
and release to treat forms will be submitted and brought before the
Board of Rescue Officers. On recommendation of the Advisory Committee,
the Board of Rescue Officers will either accept or reject said applicant
(for just cause) following the procedures set in place by the Paramus
Rescue Squad.
(6) If a member has a record of nonattendance at calls, drills, or meetings,
the applicant will be summarily dismissed from the program and a letter
sent notifying the applicant of this.
(7) Any member of the junior program who fails to maintain his or her
schoolwork because of his or her involvement in the program, as observed
by a parent, legal guardian, teacher, or guidance counselor, might
be dismissed from the program.
B. Response times. Junior rescue members will not be permitted to attend
an emergency call between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and school dismissal
on days when school is in session. They will not be permitted to attend
any call that would cause them to be late for the start of school,
or any call during the school day. No Exceptions.
C. Fireground operating rules and guidelines.
(1) Members will be issued protective gear and a pager by the Company
Chief if available. All rules and regulations concerning personal
protective equipment, as stated in the rules and regulations, must
be followed where applicable.
(2) Junior rescue members will have red helmets and Junior Firefighter
helmet shields to easily distinguish them as junior rescue members.
(3) Junior rescue members are permitted to ride apparatus to a fire call
only at the discretion of a Rescue Officer. The junior must be in
an enclosed area of the apparatus. Junior rescue members are not to
be counted for minimum manning requirements as outlined in the Department
rules and regulations. Juniors can ride apparatus for drills and parades.
(4) Junior rescue members are not permitted to handle any Department
equipment unless directed to do so by an officer. Under no circumstances
will a junior rescue member be allowed to handle ventilation saws,
axes, power tools, or any hydraulic tools;
(5) Junior rescue members are not permitted to enter burning buildings
or any area designated as dangerous by the nature of the incident.
(6) Junior rescue members will not be permitted to don S.C.B.A. at any
fire or rescue call. No Exceptions.
(7) Junior rescue members will be permitted to respond to hazardous materials
calls, or vehicle extrication calls.
(8) Upon arrival at an emergency scene, the junior must report to his/her
assigned apparatus and await instruction from an officer. Under no
circumstances is a junior permitted to assume any fireground activities
unless under the direct supervision of an officer.
(9) Junior rescue members will not be permitted to operate any piece
of Rescue Department apparatus, for any purpose, or at any time. No
Exceptions.
D. Rescue Building rules and guidelines.
(1) Junior rescue members will not be permitted to have a key to the
Rescue Building for any purpose.
(2) Juniors may be invited to social functions at the discretion of the
social company.
(3) With the exception of fire calls, drills, and training sessions,
junior members will only be allowed in the building as a guest of
a regular member of the Department. The junior must leave the building
when his/her senior host leaves.
(4) No junior rescue member will be allowed to handle, distribute, or
drink intoxicating beverages. Any member disobeying this rule will
face automatic expulsion from the program.
E. Duties of members.
(1) Junior Rescue Members will be required to attend Monday night training
sessions. They will also be required to attend drills and meetings
designated for Junior Rescue Members.
(2) Junior Rescue Members will at all limes conduct themselves in a manner
becoming that of the Paramus Rescue Squad.
(3) Junior Rescue Members in responding to alarms shall observe all traffic
rules and regulations and shall not be permitted to possess or display
a blue light or any other warning device.
(4) All members of the Junior Rescue Program will observe all Rules and
Regulations of the Paramus Rescue Squad.
F. Drills. The Junior Rescue Member will hold a drill on the last Monday
of every month. These drills will be designed by the Division of Training,
and will follow the same standards and practices that are concurrent
with the Paramus Rescue Squad. These drills will be supervised by
the Captain.
G. Resignation. All resignations will be in writing. No resignation
will be accepted from any member until all Rescue Squad property has
been returned.
H. Suspension and expulsion. Charges made by a line officer of the Paramus
Rescue Squad against any member of the program will be directed to
the Board of Rescue Officers. All suspensions or dismissals from membership
will be made by a majority vote from the Board of Rescue Officers,
in accordance with the Paramus Rescue Squad Rules and Regulations.