[HISTORY: Adopted by the Mayor and Council of the Borough of Ridgefield as indicated in article histories. Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Deceased volunteer firemen — See Ch. 38.
Alarm systems — See Ch. 118.
Fire Prevention Code — See Ch. 190.
[Adopted 9-18-1978 by Ord. No. 1104]
The Fire Department of the Borough of Ridgefield be and is hereby created and established coextensive with the territorial jurisdiction of said Borough of Ridgefield. Said Fire Department shall consist of as many companies as deemed necessary to provide adequate fire protection to the Borough of Ridgefield. The companies of said Fire Department shall be known and designated without reference to their equipment as "Company No. ......... of the Ridgefield Fire Department," each company adopting a numeral in the order of its organization.
The officers of the Ridgefield Fire Department shall consist of a Chief, a Deputy Chief and a Battalion Chief. Each of the three fire companies shall elect one person to hold respectively the aforementioned offices of Chief, Deputy Chief and Battalion Chief of the Ridgefield Fire Department. At the end of the term of office hereinafter specified, the former Deputy Chief shall become Chief, the former Battalion Chief shall become Deputy Chief, and the company who had previously elected the Chief who had just stepped down shall nominate the new Battalion Chief. In this fashion, each company will have elected an officer of the Ridgefield Fire Department, which officer shall in turn become Chief of the Ridgefield Fire Department. The Chief, Deputy Chief and Battalion Chief shall respectively take office upon approval of the Mayor and Council of the Borough of Ridgefield.
[Amended 9-9-2019 by Ord. No. 2362]
Apparatus and appliances to be used in the Ridgefield Fire Department for the extinguishment of fires and for the protection of property exposed to fire or water used thereon shall be such as the Mayor and Council of the Borough of Ridgefield may, from time to time, direct and shall be furnished for the use of the Fire Department by the Borough of Ridgefield. All fire apparatus shall conform to NFPA Standard No. 19. Recommendations for new equipment shall be promulgated by the three Fire Chiefs and a small committee of current or former officers from the gaining company.
[Amended 9-9-2019 by Ord. No. 2362]
It shall be the duty of the Chiefs to keep themselves informed as to the condition of all fire equipment. He/she is to file a written report when requested by any member of the Fire Committee. The Chief of the Department will be directly responsible to the Chairperson of the Fire Committee, the Borough Administrator, and the Mayor and Council of the Borough of Ridgefield. In the event a Chief position is vacated, the other remaining Chiefs may move up and finish the term of the Chief that is leaving and the company from which the vacancy occurred will seek a former Chief to step back in until the next election. If a former Chief cannot accept the position, there will be an election of current and former Captains of said company. A current position must be filled within 30 days.
Line officers shall consist of the following:
A. 
The Chief, Deputy Chief and Battalion Chief of the Ridgefield Fire Department. Each of said officers shall hold office for a period of one year.
B. 
The Captain, First Lieutenant and Second Lieutenant of each company. Each said line officer shall hold office for a period of one year.
C. 
In the event that a vacancy occurs in any line office, such vacancy shall be filled by moving up the next officers in line. The resultant vacancy shall be filled by means of an election by the company that had elected the person vacating the office.
[Amended 9-20-2017 by Ord. No. 2328; 9-9-2019 by Ord. No. 2362]
A. 
To be eligible to be a line officer a member must meet and have maintained a monthly percentage of 35% for two out of the last four quarters prior to nominations. A member may not hold a line office in any other fire department while running for or holding an officer position with this Department.
B. 
In order to be eligible to be a line officer, a person shall have the following qualifications:
(1) 
To be a First or Second Lieutenant, he/she must have been an active member for a minimum of three years and shall have completed three fire-training courses and ICS levels one, two, and three.
(2) 
To be a Captain, in addition to meeting the qualifications for a First or Second Lieutenant, he/she must have completed an officer's training course from a certified fire academy.
(3) 
To be a Chief, Deputy Chief or Battalion Chief, in addition to meeting the qualifications for Captain and having served as Captain, he/she must have completed at least two additional recognized firematics courses in specialized subjects, including administration, fire ground safety, hazmat incident command and any other educational certification requirement required by the New Jersey Division of Fire Safety. Said member must have completed 10 years service within the Ridgefield Fire Department.
[Amended 9-20-2017 by Ord. No. 2328; 9-9-2019 by Ord. No. 2362]
All officers shall maintain a monthly average of not less than 25% of any two consecutive quarters. All officers shall attend all department and company meetings unless excused by the Chief. All excuses must be requested in writing. If an officer fails to maintain mandatory attendance, said officer may be removed. Any line officer may be removed for cause, provided that he/she has been given written notice of the charges against him and has had an opportunity for an open departmental hearing within 30 days after such notice, at which hearing he/she shall have the right to be represented by counsel at his/her own expense. The hearing board shall consist of the three Chiefs and counsel. From an adverse determination at a departmental hearing, a charged officer may, within 10 days from the receipt of a written decision or opinion of the Department, appeal to the Mayor and Council for review and final determination of his/her case. In the event that the person charged is a Chief, the hearing board shall consist of the Fire Committee of the Mayor and Council, Borough Attorney, Borough Administrator, the remaining two Chiefs and the Captain of the company the Chief is from. The charged Chief has the option of bringing his/her own attorney at his/her own expense.
The respective duties of the line officer shall be as follows:
A. 
The Chief shall have exclusive control and supervision of all fires, inspections, drills and reviews and of all other fire duties. He shall also have supervision of all fire equipment and of all officers in the Department. The Chief shall hold all members and officers of the Department strictly to account for neglect of duty and may suspend or fine any member or officer at any time who refuses to obey orders or for any reason that will promote discord or decrease efficiency in the Department. Any member fined or suspended shall be entitled to a hearing. The hearing board shall consist of the two remaining Chiefs, counsel and a third neutral member to be chosen by the two Chiefs. The fined or suspended member shall have the right to counsel. He shall enforce the rules and regulations of the Department.
B. 
The Deputy Chief and Battalion Chief, in that order, shall perform the duties of the Chief during his absence and shall act in his place. It shall also be the duty of the Deputy Chief and the Battalion Chief to aid and assist the Chief in the performance of his duties. The three Chiefs shall meet monthly to review and discuss the functions and work performed by them during that period. It is the stated purpose of such meetings that each Chief shall receive training and exposure in all fields so that, upon assuming the duties of Chief, having passed through the ranks of Deputy Chief and Battalion Chief, a person shall have had a varied experience in terms of the duties of the office of Chief of the Ridgefield Fire Department.
C. 
The Captain shall have the authority and responsibility for all fire apparatus and equipment assigned to the company and for the assignment of personnel of the company to firematic duties. He shall conduct regular monthly drills as prescribed by the State of New Jersey and special drills as necessary and shall be responsible for the proper training of all active members.
D. 
The Captain shall assign drivers and auxiliary drivers for the apparatus and shall have the power to assign necessary personnel for engine room house duty. The Captain shall assume command of the company on all alarms. He shall make and submit, by the 20th of the succeeding month, a monthly report, in triplicate, of each active fireman, one copy for the company record, one for the Borough Fire Committee and one for the Ridgefield Relief Association. The Captain shall have the power to impose fines and penalties for nonperformance of assigned firematic duties. The penalized member shall have the right to a hearing regarding the charges brought against him. The hearing shall be before the company and shall take place at the next regularly scheduled respective company meeting, but in no case will it take place more than 45 days after the charges have been brought against the member. Written notice of such hearing shall be sent to all members. A decision shall be made by a majority of the company members present at such meeting.
E. 
The First Lieutenant shall be second in line in command of the company and shall act under the authority of and be responsible to the Captain. He shall assume the duties of the Captain in the event of the Captain's absence, resignation or disability until the vacancy is filled by special election.
F. 
The Second Lieutenant shall be third in line of command of the company and shall act under the authority of and be responsible to the Captain. In the absence of the Captain and the First Lieutenant, he shall assume the duties of Captain. In the absence of the First Lieutenant, he shall assume the duties of the second in command.
G. 
Apparatus drivers shall be recommended by each Captain to the respective Chief assigned to their company. The respective Chief shall test the applicant in such matters as apparatus handling, fire ground operations and street locations. To drive an engine/pumper, the driver-applicant must complete a recognized pump course. To drive the aerial ladder truck, the driver-applicant must complete a recognized ladder operations course. To drive a rescue truck, the driver-applicant must complete a recognized rescue course. This required course must be completed before the Captain can recommend the driver-applicant to the Chief for approval.
[Amended 5-12-1997 by Ord. No. 1590]
H. 
Each Battalion Chief, upon assuming office, shall appoint a man from his company to serve on a Training Advisory Committee. The Training Advisory Committee shall be responsible to the Chief of the Department and shall assist the Chief and company officers in the formation of training activities. The Training Advisory Committee shall investigate fire training courses given by local, county, state and private institutions with respect to suitability and content. The Training Advisory Committee shall approve or disapprove of all courses required in this chapter. Each man appointed will serve a term of three years concurrent with the Chief that appointed him. In order to qualify for appointment, the man must have served as a Captain and must meet the qualifications set down for Captains in this chapter.
I. 
In the event that no regular current officer responds to a fire call, it shall be the duty of the first ex officer on the first truck to arrive on the scene to take charge of all fire ground operations until the arrival of a regular current fire officer, upon which the latter shall assume command. In the event that no ex officer is present, it shall be the duty of the senior man on the first arriving truck to assume command in the same manner.
J. 
It shall be mandatory that the highest ranking officer or other personnel in charge at the scene of a fire call make out a fire report and deliver it to the proper authority.
K. 
The Chief, Deputy Chief and Battalion Chief in conjunction with the Fire Committee shall recommend a member or members of the Fire Department to perform the duties of data reporting. Said member(s) must be appointed by the Mayor and Council and shall be compensated a total of $450 per quarter, which can be allocated to multiple members; however, it shall not exceed $450 in aggregate per quarter.
[Added 4-27-2020 by Ord. No. 2385; amended 4-26-2021 by Ord. No. 2408[1]; 5-13-2024 by Ord. No. 2485]
[1]
Editor's Note: This ordinance provided that the compensation of $450 per quarter is effective 7-1-2021.
Each and every fireman who has completed a term of seven years' active service in the Ridgefield Fire Department shall be entitled to a certificate of service to be furnished by the Mayor and Council of the Borough of Ridgefield. Any fireman holding such certificate shall, upon application by him, be retired from active service. Each and every fireman who has served for a period of 20 years shall have the status of life member. As a life member, he shall have the option of retiring, and thus be an inactive life member, or he may continue on active duty as an active life member, subject to the mandatory retirement and physical examination provisions hereinafter set forth. Upon his becoming a life member, the Mayor and Council shall award him a certificate of life membership at a public meeting.
[Added 3-25-2013 by Ord. No. 2221]
A. 
Every applicant for membership in the Fire Department shall consent to having a criminal and motor vehicle background search run on that applicant. In addition, an applicant may be required to disclose his or her criminal and motor vehicle history in a membership application.
B. 
Any person who has been convicted of a first, second or third degree crime as determined by the laws of the State of New Jersey, or an equivalent violation in another jurisdiction, shall be disqualified from membership. Any person who has been convicted of the crime of arson pursuant to the provisions of N.J.S.A. 2C:17-1 shall be disqualified from membership. Any person who has been convicted of an offense involving dishonesty shall be disqualified from membership.
C. 
Any person who has been convicted of three or more fourth degree offenses as determined by the laws of the State of New Jersey, or equivalent violations in another jurisdiction, within a period of five years measured from the date of the membership application shall be disqualified from membership.
D. 
Any person who has been convicted of a crime defined as a sexual offense pursuant to the provisions of N.J.S.A. 2C:14-1, or its equivalent in another jurisdiction, shall be disqualified from membership.
E. 
Any person who has been convicted of three or more disorderly persons offenses within a period of five years measured from the date of the membership application in circumstances where all three of the disorderly persons offenses constitute offenses of moral turpitude shall be disqualified from membership.
F. 
Any person who has three or more prior convictions for driving while intoxicated pursuant to the provisions of N.J.S.A. 39:4-50, or its equivalent in another jurisdiction, shall be disqualified from membership.
G. 
Any person who is determined to have deliberately given false information on the membership application shall be disqualified from membership.
[1]
Editor's Note: Former § 35-10, Classification of firefighter emeritus, added 2-15-1982 by Ord. No. 1212, as amended, was repealed 10-26-2009 by Ord. No. 2113.
[Amended 5-12-1997 by Ord. No. 1590; 10-26-2009 by Ord. No. 2113; 9-9-2019 by Ord. No. 2362]
A. 
The status of "life member" shall be granted to any person who has completed and retired after 20 years of service as a full member of the Ridgefield Volunteer Fire Department and maintained 20% per year and who has attained the age of 55 years. As a measure of the Borough's gratitude for his or her service, a life member shall be entitled to receive a yearly pension payment of $900. The Fire Chief shall certify the eligibility of all firefighters emeritus to the chief financial officer with documented date of birth on October 31 of each year. The right of a life member to receive the payment set forth in this section shall cease upon the firefighter's death.
B. 
Any fireman forced to become inactive due to fire-service-connected disability, as determined by the Fire Department surgeon, who has completed at least 10 years of active service shall be entitled to said pension referred to in Subsection A above, in full, from the date of said fire-service-connected disability.
C. 
Any fireman forced to become inactive due to fire-service-connected disability, as determined by the Fire Department surgeon, who has completed less than 10 years of active service shall be entitled to a pension of 50% of the above-mentioned pension from the date of disability.
D. 
Any fireman forced to become inactive due to a disability which is not fire-service connected, as determined by the Fire Department surgeon, who has completed 15 years of service and who has reached the age of 55 years shall be entitled to receive a full pension in that amount set forth in Subsection A above.
E. 
The first payment of this pension shall commence on October 31, 1979. Thereafter, the amount of the pension shall be reviewed annually by the Mayor and Council to consider its sufficiency and adequacy in light of the economic conditions existing at the time.
[Amended 9-9-2019 by Ord. No. 2362]
The regulation uniform of the Ridgefield Fire Department and the wearing of the same shall be prescribed by a majority of the Ridgefield Fire Department at a regularly scheduled combined meeting. There shall be both a regular uniform and a summer-weight uniform. Each individual member must purchase both uniforms within six months of being accepted as an active fireman. Each individual member must have ordered both uniforms within 30 days of the date of acceptance as a permanent fireman. All members must wear the numbered breast badge issued to them by the Fire Department, with the exception of current officers and ex-Chiefs, who will wear the badge of their respective rank. Ex-officers may wear an "ex" badge, in addition to the numbered Fire Department badge.
[Added 7-10-2000 by Ord. No. 1702; amended 12-12-2005 by Ord. No. 1956; 5-8-2006 by Ord. No. 1989; 11-13-2006 by Ord. No. 2003; 10-26-2009 by Ord. No. 2113; 4-26-2021 by Ord. No. 2408[1]; 6-27-2022 by Ord. No. 2437]
A. 
Qualified members of the Ridgefield Fire Department shall receive annual clothing allowances in accord with the below schedule. Qualification for clothing allowances shall be calculated on the period from November 1 to October 31 of each year. The full amount of the stipend for each category of firefighter is as follows:
Firefighter
$750 per year
2nd Lieutenant
$875 per year
1st Lieutenant
$900 per year
Captain
$1,000 per year
Battalion Chief
$2,700 per year
Deputy Chief
$3,000 per year
Chief
$3,804 per year
Members of the Fire Department shall receive a percentage of the full year's allowance based on the number of calls made as follows:
30% or higher
100%
25% to 29%
75%
21% to 24%
50%
15% to 20%
25%
0 to 14%
0%
B. 
In addition, Fire Department members shall also receive a monthly clothing allowance, paid quarterly, in the amount of $416.67 per month. A firefighter will receive a monthly allowance if he or she makes 35% of the calls for that month, or will receive a full quarterly clothing allowance (three months) if he or she makes 35% of the calls for the entire quarter. The following rules will apply:
[Amended 6-26-2023 by Ord. No. 2462]
(1) 
Each firefighter will receive credits for two calls for each emergency call that commences after 12:00 midnight and prior to 6:00 a.m.
(2) 
Firefighters will receive credit for missed calls while attending an accredited fire class; mutual aid events and meetings; standby duties in mutual aid towns.
(3) 
Attendance at one monthly meeting, one monthly drill, Memorial Day services and fireworks detail will each be considered a call. Members will not receive credit for any additional drills or meetings unless it is a departmental drill.
(4) 
Any firefighter serving as a County Fire Coordinator will receive credit for missed calls while deployed in this function.
(5) 
Firefighters may be required to attend special Borough events as directed by the Chief of the Department with the approval of the Borough Administrator. Firefighters will receive a credit for each such event attended.
(6) 
During emergency standbys, whether directed by the state, county or local officials, firefighters will receive credit for all calls dispatched during this time.
(7) 
Firefighters may qualify on a monthly or quarterly basis, as set forth in Subsection B(1) above. A firefighter who qualifies for only one or two months of the quarter shall be paid a clothing allowance only for those months in which the firefighter qualifies. Any firefighter who does not meet either of the criteria set forth in Subsection B(1) above will not receive a check for the quarter.
(8) 
All three chiefs will receive full quarterly checks to cover chiefs' alarms, various meetings and responses to other company calls.
C. 
Eligibility for the annual and monthly clothing allowances will be reviewed and approved by the Fire Chief and the Borough's Chief Financial Officer on an annual and quarterly basis respectively.
[1]
Editor's Note: This ordinance stated that the monthly clothing allowance of $366.67 is effective 7-1-2021.
[Added 4-26-2021 by Ord. No. 2408]
When due to snow emergency or other emergency situation, the Borough Administrator may authorize up to four active firefighters to be placed on standby at each of the three Borough firehouses, for a period of time to be determined by the Borough Administrator. Those active firefighters who serve in a standby capacity shall be compensated at an hourly rate equal to the starting hourly rate of special police officers within the Borough of Ridgefield. When in the judgment of the Borough Administrator an extreme circumstance exists, the number of standby firefighters may be increased at their discretion.
[Amended 9-27-1982 by Ord. No. 1223; 5-12-1997 by Ord. No. 1590; 10-26-2009 by Ord. No. 2113]
A. 
The minimum age at which a person may apply for and be accepted to active membership in any company of the Ridgefield Fire Department is 18 years. The person must either reside within the Borough of Ridgefield, be currently employed in the Borough of Ridgefield, or reside within 1.5 miles from the Ridgefield municipal border line.
B. 
Except for active firefighter transfers from another New Jersey fire department, all those accepted as active members must serve as a probationary firefighter until the successful completion of the currently accepted basic fire course (Firefighter I) from a fire training center recognized by the State of New Jersey. The only exception to this is a person applying for active membership in the Ridgefield Fire Department who already has completed this required basic fire course. The probationary firefighter must complete this required basic fire course within 24 months of the time that they are accepted. Upon completion of the basic fire course, a member will be considered a full-fledged active firefighter.
C. 
All active members of the Ridgefield Fire Department who have reached the age of 65 years or older must submit to an annual physical examination by the Ridgefield Fire Department surgeon.
D. 
Chief officer residency requirements. The Fire Chief shall reside within the Borough of Ridgefield or shall reside within 3/4 mile of the Ridgefield municipal border line and be a resident of Bergen County.
[Added 2-13-2012 by Ord. No. 2194]
E. 
All firefighters who operate firefighting apparatus are required to have a valid New Jersey driver's license. Firefighters are hereby required to promptly report to their Chief any suspension or revocation of their driving privileges. Further, all firefighters are required to submit, from time to time, to motor vehicle checks to reflect the status of their driving privileges.
[Added 3-25-2013 by Ord. No. 2221]
F. 
All active members shall enroll in Fire One training within 12 months of joining. All members must complete the requirement within the first 36 months of membership.
[Added 9-9-2019 by Ord. No. 2362]
G. 
In order to remain an active member in good standing, a member must maintain 15% per year. If percentage is not maintained, that member must respond to Chiefs, in writing, as to the reason for poor attendance. The Chiefs may place the member on probation, allowing said member three months to improve attendance. If attendance is not improved, said member may be removed.
[Added 9-9-2019 by Ord. No. 2362]
H. 
In order for a member to be eligible to vote in a Department election, said member must be an active firefighter and maintained a percentage of 25% for two of the last three quarters.
[Added 9-9-2019 by Ord. No. 2362]
I. 
Employees of the Borough's Fire Prevention Bureau that possess a minimum of a Firefighter One certification in the State of New Jersey shall be appointed to the Ridgefield Volunteer Fire Department as active members.
[Added 6-27-2022 by Ord. No. 2437]
It is the intent and purpose of this chapter to review, reclassify and reorganize the rules and regulations governing the Ridgefield Fire Department and its individual member fire companies, and, to this extent, any and all prior ordinances inconsistent herewith, including but not limited to Ordinance No. 23[1] entitled "An Ordinance Creating and Establishing the Fire Department of the Borough of Ridgefield and to Regulate, Control and Govern the Same"; Ordinance No. 91[2] entitled "A Supplement to Ordinance No. 23 entitled `An Ordinance Creating and Establishing the Fire Department of the Borough of Ridgefield and to Regulate, Control and Govern the Same,' as amended by Ordinance No. 48"; and Ordinance No. 188[3] entitled "Supplement to an Ordinance entitled `An Ordinance Creating and Establishing the Fire Department of the Borough of Ridgefield and to Regulate, Control and Govern the Same,'" are hereby repealed.
[1]
Editor's Note: Ordinance No. 23, adopted 1-15-1896, as amended, comprised Art. I, Organization and Establishment, of former Ch. 35, Fire Department.
[2]
Editor's Note: Ordinance No. 91, adopted 9-15-1904, comprised Art. II, Certificate for Service: Supplement No. 1, of former Ch. 35, Fire Department.
[3]
Editor's Note: Ordinance No. 188, adopted 6-22-1922, comprised Art. III, Assistant Chiefs: Supplement No. 2, of former Ch. 35, Fire Department.
This chapter shall take effect on November 1, 1978, following final passage and publication in the manner provided by law.
[Added 9-20-2017 by Ord. No. 2328]
Auxiliary members must be at least 16 years of age and fill out applications completely. Applications are then submitted to the OEM office for blue card issuing. When applying for probationary/active status at 18 years of age, members must resubmit applications for background investigation. Upon satisfactory background check, applicants will complete the New Jersey State Firemen’s Association membership application, complete physical and drug screening, and have applications approved by the Mayor and Council.
[Adopted 2-24-2014 by Ord. No. 2249]
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
ALARM SYSTEM
The equipment and device designed to signal the presence of an emergency or hazard requiring urgent attention to or in a structure in the Borough of Ridgefield and to which the Police and/or Fire Department may be expected to respond. An alarm system shall not include what are commonly known as "car alarms."
FALSE ALARM
Any alarm actuated by inadvertence, negligence or unintentional act of anyone, including alarms caused by the malfunctioning of the alarm device or other equipment as determined by an investigation by the Fire Department on scene.
The provisions of this article shall be enforced by the Ridgefield Fire Department, Fire Chief or his designee and monitored by the Fire Official.
Any person or entity who owns or controls an alarm system which has been actuated by a false alarm as determined by the Fire Department shall be subject to the following penalties:
A. 
Residential, per calendar year (one- and two-family dwellings):
(1) 
First occurrence: $0.
(2) 
Second occurrence: $0.
(3) 
Third occurrence: $0.
(4) 
Fourth occurrence: $50.
(5) 
Fifth occurrence: $50.
(6) 
Sixth occurrence: $150.
(7) 
Any subsequence occurrence: $300.
B. 
Commercial/industrial/multifamily dwelling, per calendar year (three or more independent dwelling units):
(1) 
First occurrence: $0.
(2) 
Second occurrence: $0.
(3) 
Third occurrence: $100.
(4) 
Fourth occurrence: $250.
(5) 
Fifth occurrence: $500.
(6) 
Any subsequent occurrence: $1,000.
C. 
The property owner shall be given written notice of the false alarm and the imposition of the penalty. The property owner shall pay the false alarm penalty no later than 30 days from the receipt of the notice of the false alarm penalty. Any person who believes that the penalty has been imposed against that person in violation of this chapter may file a written request for a hearing on that issue before the Fire Chief or his designee, but must do so within 15 days of receipt of the notice of the false alarm penalty. The time in which to pay the penalty shall be tolled by the filing of a written request for a hearing and shall remain tolled until the decision of the Fire Chief or his designee on the appeal.
D. 
Collected penalties shall be split between the Fire Department and the Fire Prevention Bureau and placed in the appropriate penalty trust accounts.
Failure to pay the penalty within the thirty-day period will result in a court summons being issued.