[HISTORY: Adopted by the Mayor and Council
of the Borough of Ridgefield as indicated in article histories. Amendments
noted where applicable.]
[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:
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."
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:
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.
