The Volunteer Fire Department, heretofore established in the Township,
is hereby continued. The Volunteer Fire Department, herein referred to as
the "Fire Department," shall consist of the following existing companies:
A. Cedar Grove Engine Company No. 1.
B. Cedar Grove Engine Company No. 2.
C. Cedar Grove Engine Company No. 3.
D. Such other companies as may be established from time
to time by action of the Township Council.
[Amended 4-5-1971 by Ord.
No. 70-24; 10-15-1979 by Ord.
No. 79-113]
The membership of Engine Company No. 1 (Center) shall consist of a maximum of 32 persons, including a Chief Officer, Captain and Lieutenant. The membership of Engine Company No. 2 (North End) and Engine Company No. 3 (South End) shall each consist of a maximum of 28 persons, including a Chief Officer, Captain and Lieutenant. Each company shall select its own members. Each company member shall become a member of the Fire Department subject to certification by the Fire Chief that he meets the qualifications set forth in §
23-3.
[Amended 4-5-1971 by Ord.
No. 70-24; 12-18-1972 by Ord.
No. 72-20]
No person shall be eligible for membership in the Fire Department unless
he meets the eligibility requirements for membership in the New Jersey State
Firemen's Association, is a member in good standing in one of the Fire Companies
and, in addition, possesses the following qualifications:
A. Be a citizen of the United States and at least 18 years
of age.
[Amended 2-4-1991 by Ord.
No. 91-376]
B. Be a resident of the Township of Cedar Grove and be a
resident of the Township for at least six months prior to membership.
[Amended 2-4-1991 by Ord.
No. 91-376]
C. Be able to read and write the English language intelligently.
D. Be the holder of a currently valid driver's license issued
by the Director of the Division of Motor Vehicles of the State of New Jersey.
E. Never have been convicted of a crime or offense involving
moral turpitude.
F. Be of good moral character.
G. Be sound in mind and body and in good health, to be evidenced
by the certification of the Township Physician stating that, after a physical
examination of the candidate, he has found the candidate to be physically
and mentally fit to perform the duties of volunteer firemen.
H. Complete and maintain all federal- and state-mandated
training as required to perform the duties of fire fighter in the State of
New Jersey.
[Added 6-17-2002 by Ord.
No. 02-580]
I. Complete any additional training that may be required
by the Cedar Grove Fire Department Rules and Regulations.
[Added 6-17-2002 by Ord.
No. 02-580]
[Amended 4-5-1971 by Ord.
No. 70-24]
A. In order to remain a volunteer fireman, a man must continue
to be a member in good standing in one of the Fire Companies. Any action under
the bylaws of the particular company resulting in his removal or dismissal
will automatically result in his removal or dismissal as a member of the Volunteer
Fire Department, without right of appeal to any higher authority.
B. A volunteer fireman must continue to maintain the membership qualifications set forth in §
23-3 of the Code of the Township of Cedar Grove, except that after having attained an exempt qualifying certificate from the New Jersey State Firemen's Association from Cedar Grove and having completed seven years of service, such member may reside in a municipality whose boundary is contiguous with that of the Township of Cedar Grove. Any member maintaining membership under the above exception may not hold a line officership in the Department.
[Amended 2-4-1991 by Ord.
No. 91-376]
Every member of the Fire Department shall subscribe to, and take the
following oath before the Township Clerk: "I do solemnly swear that I will
support the Constitution of the United States, and of the State of New Jersey,
the laws and ordinances of the Township of Cedar Grove, and obey all rules
and regulations and orders of the Cedar Grove Volunteer Fire Department, and
faithfully discharge the duties as a member thereof, and faithfully serve
the Township of Cedar Grove according to the best of my knowledge and ability,
so help me God."
[Amended 6-17-2002 by Ord.
No. 02-580]
A. Each candidate for Captain and Lieutenant shall have
successfully proven that he or she meets the following qualifications:
(3) Complete and maintain all federal- and state-mandated
training as required to perform the duties of Captain or Lieutenant in the
State of New Jersey.
(4) Complete any additional training that may be required
by the Cedar Grove Fire Department Rules and Regulations.
B. Each candidate for driver shall have successfully proven
that he or she meets the following qualifications:
(1) Successfully complete pump training or equivalent.
(2) Complete and maintain all federal- and state-mandated
training as required to perform the duties as a driver in the State of New
Jersey.
(3) Complete any additional training that may be required
by the Cedar Grove Fire Department Rules and Regulations.
C. Elections. The members of each company shall, on or before
the third Tuesday in December of each year, elect the following officers and
drivers to serve during the ensuing year: Captain, Lieutenant and at least
three drivers who shall be numbered one, two, and three, and shall be ranked
accordingly. The terms of all elected officers and drivers shall be for one
year and they shall commence their duties on January 1 following their election.
All elected officers and drivers shall serve until their successors are elected
and qualified.
[Amended 9-15-1969 by Ord.
No. 69-14]
A. Each candidate for Chief and Deputy Chief shall have
successfully proven that he or she meets the following qualifications:
[Amended 6-17-2002 by Ord.
No. 02-580]
(3) Complete any additional training that may be required
by the Cedar Grove Fire Department Rules and Regulations.
(4) Complete and maintain all federal- and state-mandated
training as required to perform the duties as a Chief or Deputy Chief in the
State of New Jersey.
(5) Shall have taken several fire-fighting courses such as
given by Rutgers University, North Jersey Fire School and other similar training
agencies.
(6) Service as Deputy Chief shall not be required from candidates
for Chief.
B. The Chief and two Deputy Chiefs of the Fire Department, no two of whom shall be from the same company, shall be elected at a joint meeting of the various companies annually on or before the third Tuesday of December. The terms of office shall be for one year, and they shall commence their duties on January 1 following their election and certification by the Township Manager that they meet all of the above-mentioned qualities set forth in Subsection
A of this section. All elected officers shall serve until their successors are elected and qualified.
C. In the event that the Chief or First Deputy Chief is
unable to complete his term due to death, resignation or impeachment, his
office shall be filled by the next ranking officer immediately. The vacant
post shall then be filled by a special election at the next regular meeting
of the Department. It is the intent of this section that the only office subject
to election shall be the office of the Second Deputy Chief. And further, those
officers moving up shall serve for the balance of the unexpired term.
The Township Manager shall:
A. Have administrative control over the Fire Department, except as provided in §
23-9A.
B. Perform such other duties in connection therewith as
may be lawfully prescribed by the Township Council.
C. Receive from the Chief of the Fire Department his annual report and recommendations referred to in §
23-9.
D. Recommend to the Township Council the purchase of all
supplies and apparatus and the expenditure of all moneys. If the Fire Department
has any objections to the said recommendations, it may make such objections
known directly to the Council.
E. Prefer charges against any member of the Department whenever,
in his opinion, the Department and the Fire Chief have failed to take proper
action. In such cases the hearing shall be before the Fire Chief.
[Amended 7-14-1986 by Ord.
No. 86-274]
Any member or officer of the Fire Department or Fire Prevention Bureau
shall be subject to discipline by reprimand, demotion in rank, suspension
or dismissal, according to the nature and gravity of his offense, if found
guilty of any of the following charges:
A. Willful disobedience of orders.
B. Disrespect to a superior officer.
C. Refusal or failure to attend fires or fire drills.
D. Immorality, indecency or lewdness.
F. Violation of any criminal law or penal ordinance.
G. Conduct subversive of good order and discipline of the
Department.
H. Disobedience or violation of any rule or regulation of
the Fire Department or order of the Fire Chief established pursuant to this
chapter.
[Amended 7-14-1986 by Ord.
No. 86-274]
A. Subject to the provisions contained in Subsection
B of this section, whenever charges are brought against a member of the Fire Department or Fire Prevention Bureau, a hearing shall be held before the Fire Chief, who shall make the final determination as to what action, if any, is to be taken in the case. The hearing before the Chief shall be handled in the procedure set forth in the Personnel Ordinance of the Township as if the hearing were being held before the Township
Manager, and the fireman against whom the charges have been made shall be
entitled to call upon the Personnel Advisory Board, composed of members of
the Township Council, to render an advisory opinion to the Fire Chief before
he makes his final determination.
B. Whenever charges are brought against the Fire Prevention Bureau Director relating to his administrative duties under Chapter
137 of the Code of the Township of Cedar Grove, a hearing shall be held before the Township Manager in accordance with the procedure set forth in the Personnel Ordinance.
[Added 5-7-1979 by Ord. No.
79-89]
A Fire Prevention Bureau is hereby established in the Fire Department of the Township of Cedar Grove for the purpose of implementing and performing the functions required under Chapter
137, Fire Prevention, of the Code of the Township.