[Amended 3-22-2022 by Ord. No. 1595]
The Fire Department of the Borough, known as the "Fire Department of the Borough of Dumont," as heretofore created and established, is hereby continued.
[Amended 3-22-2022 by Ord. No. 1595]
A. 
Chief's cars. Three Chief's cars as follows:
(1) 
Chief of Department, formerly 210: Car 1.
(2) 
Deputy Chief, formerly Assistant Chief 211: Deputy 1.
(3) 
Battalion Chief, formerly Deputy Chief 212: Battalion 1.
B. 
Apparatus:
(1) 
West side:
(a) 
Independent hose company:
[1] 
Two first line pumpers.
(b) 
Truck company 2:
[1] 
One ladder truck.
[2] 
One squad salvage overhaul unit.
(2) 
East side:
(a) 
Company Number 1:
[1] 
One first line pumper.
[2] 
One reserve pumper.
(b) 
Company Number 3/Rescue 3:
[1] 
One first line pumper.
[2] 
One rescue team unit.
C. 
Squad 1 will be recognized in the Borough of Dumont as a squad pumper. Outside the limits of the Borough of Dumont, it shall be recognized as a pumper.
A. 
The Fire Department shall consist of 80 active members with a maximum of 20 members per Company of the Borough of Dumont heretofore and hereafter organized and approved by the Mayor and Council.
[Amended 3-15-2011 by Ord. No. 1427]
B. 
All members shall reside in the Borough of Dumont or the municipalities of Bergenfield, Cresskill, New Milford, Demarest, Oradell or Haworth.
C. 
Nonresident members must fulfill all the requirements imposed upon resident members, including but not limited to the attendance at all Department and company drills.
D. 
Nonresident members may hold firematic office, such as Chief, Captain or Lieutenant; however, only one nonresident member may hold the office of Chief, First Assistant Chief or Second Assistant Chief at any one time.
E. 
No fire company shall have more than four nonresident members.
The Mayor shall appoint a Fire Committee consisting of three members of the Council, which Committee shall have control of the Fire Department and its equipment, subject to the approval of the Mayor and Council.
The Fire Department shall choose its chief officers by ballot and to determine the qualifications of its members, provided that the same are not inconsistent with the provisions of this chapter. Appointments to the positions of chief officers are subject to confirmation of the Mayor and Council.
A. 
The Fire Auxiliary of the Dumont Volunteer Fire Department is established to:
(1) 
Train future replacements for the regular uniformed force of the Department.
(2) 
Serve as a liaison with the youth of our community, passing along information as to the responsibility and purpose of the Department.
B. 
It is not the intent, desire or purpose of the Fire Auxiliary to reduce the number of active regular firemen allowed per company as provided by Borough ordinance.
C. 
Organization.
(1) 
The Fire Auxiliary shall consist of 16 members, with a maximum of four per company, between the ages of 16 and 20 years. Membership shall be terminated upon a member's attaining his/her 21st birthday.
[Amended 3-15-2011 by Ord. No. 1427]
D. 
Board of Directors.
(1) 
It shall be the duty of the Board of Fire Officers to supervise the Fire Auxiliary; to receive and evaluate applications; to investigate the applicant; to secure permission from the applicant's school authorities. Copies to Borough Clerk.
(2) 
The Board of Fire Officers shall inform the applicant's parents or guardian that the applicant, if attending school, shall be required to maintain attendance at school and fulfill all school requirements and obligations. Parents or guardians shall also be informed that the applicant, while on duty, shall not be permitted to indulge in alcoholic beverages of any kind and must, at all times, conduct himself/herself in a manner that will reflect favorably on the Fire Auxiliary and the Fire Department. Applicants and Fire Auxiliary members under the age of 21 shall not be permitted to indulge in alcoholic beverages at any time.
E. 
Requirements for application. Applicants are required to:
(1) 
Be between the ages of 16 and 20 years as verified by the presentation of a birth certificate.
(2) 
Be a resident of Dumont for at least six months.
(3) 
Submit to and pass a physical examination similar to that required for acceptance by the uniformed force of the Department. The cost of the examination shall be borne by the applicant.
[Amended 3-15-2011 by Ord. No. 1427]
(4) 
Secure written parental or guardianship permission to join the Fire Auxiliary.[1]
[1]
Editor’s Note: Former Subsection E(5), regarding fingerprint clearance, which immediately followed this subsection, was repealed 3-15-2011 by Ord. No. 1427.
F. 
Application and permission slip.
(1) 
Applications shall be filled out in their entirety and shall require the signature and seal of a notary public. The original application shall be kept on file with the Borough Clerk at the Borough Hall and a copy will be provided for the files of the Board of Fire Officers. A copy of the physical examination shall also be provided for the files of the Board of Fire Officers as well with the Borough Clerk.
(2) 
Following review by the Board of Fire Officers, the application will be forwarded, together with the written recommendation of the Board of Fire Officers, to the Mayor and Council for appointment. Applications shall be received by the fire company officers, approved by the company, then forwarded to the Board of Fire Officers, then to the Mayor and Council.
(3) 
If the applicant is accepted into membership, it shall be on a probationary basis for a period of six months. During this time, the member's title shall be that of Probationary Fire Auxiliary member and he/she shall adhere to the rules and regulations of the Fire Auxiliary.
G. 
The equipment. Upon acceptance, a Probationary Fire Auxiliary member shall be issued, from departmental replacement equipment, the following:
(1) 
One helmet with identifying shield.
(2) 
One turnout coat.
(3) 
One pair of boots.
(4) 
One pair of bunker pants.
(5) 
One pair of gloves.
(6) 
One pager.
(7) 
Two accountability tags indicating auxiliary status.
(8) 
Pass alarm.
H. 
Acceptance. Upon completion of the six months' probationary period, depending upon the member's performance, attitude and general conduct, the member shall be accepted as a regular Fire Auxiliary member. The determination as to whether or not a member shall be accepted in full membership shall be made by the Board of Fire Officers and approved by the Mayor and Council.
I. 
Training.
(1) 
It shall be the responsibility of the Fire Company Officers to maintain and supervise the training of Fire Auxiliary members. Fire Auxiliary members may attend any fire training school, provided that he/she does not take the place of a regular fire member.
(2) 
Fire Auxiliary members will attend, if available, all drills after obtaining the permission of the officer or fire member in charge. Fire Auxiliary member will attend mutual aid and Department drills for the purpose of being trained to work in large groups.
J. 
Reports. The officers of each Company will submit to the Board of Fire Officers a monthly report as to the training progress and discipline of the Fire Auxiliary. In turn, the Board of Fire Officers shall report to the Chief of the Department. The Chief of the Department shall make these progress reports part of his/her report at the Board of Fire Officers' meetings.
K. 
Disciplinary action and dismissal.
(1) 
It shall be the responsibility of the Fire Company Officers to maintain proper discipline within the Fire Auxiliary. Violations of any rules and regulations and/or conduct unbecoming a Fire Auxiliary member shall result in immediate disciplinary action. Charges pertaining to breaches of discipline shall be forwarded to the Board of Fire Officers.
(2) 
It shall also be the responsibility of the Fire Company Officers to recommend that a member be dismissed from the Fire Auxiliary should this action be deemed necessary for the continued success of the Fire Auxiliary program. The dismissal cases shall be brought before the Board of Fire Officers and the fire Auxiliary member involved shall be requested to be present. The decision of the Board of Fire Officers shall be final subject only to the approval of the Mayor and Council.
L. 
Duties of Fire Auxiliary member. A Fire Auxiliary member shall:
(1) 
Follow all lawful orders and commands of the officer in charge of the Fire Department.
(2) 
Be responsible for and maintain the equipment assigned to them.
(3) 
Report when available for cleanup nights, drills, fires and emergencies within the time limits set by rules and regulations. Assignments for cleanup nights and drills shall be scheduled by the Fire Company officers.
M. 
Rules and regulations.
(1) 
Fire Auxiliary rules and regulations shall be followed by all Fire Auxiliary members. Department rules and regulations shall be followed in the event of a conflict.
(a) 
Upon arrival at a fire scene or emergency, the Fire Auxiliary members shall remain with their company's apparatus until given assignment by the respective company officers.
(b) 
Fire Auxiliary members will not be allowed to indulge in or be under the influence of any alcoholic beverage during the time he or she is on duty. Having been found guilty before a court of inquiry involving him or her with alcoholic beverage or any other serious offense shall be just cause for immediate dismissal.
(c) 
Time to respond.
[1] 
Fire Auxiliary members may respond to calls between 6:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m. with the understanding that they cannot leave school.
[2] 
Fire Auxiliary may respond to calls between 6:00 a.m. and 12:00 midnight on Fridays, Saturdays or days not followed by a school day.
(d) 
Fire Auxiliary member shall remain with the driver of the apparatus assigned.
(e) 
Upon arrival at the firehouse, the Auxiliary member will don his/her turnout gear and wait for instructions from the officer in charge. Auxiliary members will not get on apparatus unless instructed. Specific instructions for riding Borough apparatus will be given by way of instruction from company officers.
(f) 
Fire Auxiliary member will not enter a building under any circumstances.
(g) 
Fire Auxiliary member shall not use a breathing unit in any fire or emergency but will be trained and schooled in their use.
(h) 
Fire Auxiliary member will report any type of injury, no matter how minor, to the officer in charge. This shall become part of the Fire Auxiliary's report at the Board of Fire Officers meeting and record made of same.
(i) 
Fire Auxiliary member may be used as runners or to engage in liaison work, provided that they do not have to enter an unsafe area.
(2) 
In addition, Auxiliary members will adhere to the following instructions:
(a) 
Observe and learn from your surroundings.
(b) 
If asked to relay tools and or equipment, Auxiliary members will do so; however, not into the scene or within the collapse zone.
(c) 
Auxiliary members will not enter an involved structure at any time.
(d) 
Auxiliary members will remain at a safe distance from car fires, brush fires or any other outside event.
(e) 
Auxiliary members will not operate any piece of equipment.
(f) 
Auxiliary members will not participate in any activity without their officer's permission.
(g) 
Auxiliary members will not put themselves in any situation that may cause harm to them.
(h) 
Auxiliary members will be responsible for all equipment and gear issued to them such as pagers, turnout gear, etc. If lost or damaged, members may be held responsible for their replacement.
(i) 
Auxiliary members will not attempt to get on apparatus once the air horn or rolloff siren has sounded.