The number of volunteer fire companies shall
be as designated by the Town Council.
Each volunteer fire company may consist of not
more than 50 members, to be selected without regard to affiliations
with any other organization.
[Amended 4-13-1987]
All volunteer fire companies shall be under
the supervision and direct orders of the Chief of the Fire Department
or a Deputy Chief during any absence of the Chief.
Application for membership in a volunteer fire
company shall be made in writing to the officer in charge of the company
in which the applicant wishes to become a member. If such officer
approves the application, it shall be forwarded to the Chief of the
Fire Department for his approval and recommendation to the Mayor for
final acceptance of the application.
Each applicant for membership in a volunteer
fire company must pass a physical examination to the satisfaction
of the Mayor, determining his fitness for duty as a volunteer fireman.
Each volunteer fire company shall be commanded
or directed by its captain or his lieutenants but, in their absence,
by an officer of the paid Fire Department in charge of the firehouse
where such volunteer company is located. The captain or officer in
charge shall be responsible to the Fire Chief for the discipline and
conditions of the quarters.
Each volunteer fire company shall elect their
own officers and have charge of their own books and money.
Each volunteer fire company shall be a member
of the state fireman's association, the dues to be paid by the Town.
Any officer of the paid Fire Department, when
authorized by the Chief of the Fire Department, shall have authority
to call members of the volunteer fire department together for drills
and instruction in the use of hoses, ladders, apparatus and tools.
No member of the volunteer fire company shall
be exempt from drills or instructions, unless excused by the Chief
of the Fire Department or an authorized officer.
After returning to the firehouse from a fire,
it shall be the duty of the volunteers to assist the members of the
paid Fire Department to reload and put the apparatus back in commission
before being dismissed from duty, except those volunteers who must
return to their business or place of employment These members shall
be excused by an officer.
The minimum age limit for membership in the
volunteer fire service shall be 18 years.
Consideration will be given members of the volunteer
fire service with good records when taking the competitive examination
for the appointments to the paid Fire Department.
The Town shall furnish coats, boots and other
recognized fire-fighting equipment to the volunteer fire companies,
after completion by the men of six months' probationary period.