A. 
A person is eligible to become a member of the Hopatcong Fire Department, or any unit thereof, if he or she is:
[Amended 3-15-2023 by Ord. No. 4-2023]
(1) 
Eighteen years old;
(2) 
A citizen of the United States or a legal permanent resident of the United States, and the State of New Jersey;
(3) 
In a good condition of physical fitness to perform the duties of a firefighter in accordance with a certificate to that effect, made and signed by a properly licensed practicing physician of the State of New Jersey after due physical examination for that purpose; and
(4) 
Is of good moral character within the same meaning as N.J.S.A. 40A:14-81.2 and recommended by the Chief of Police after a background check.
B. 
All members must, during their first 12 months, attend and successfully complete Firefighter I (FF-I), defined in N.J.A.C. 5:18C-4.3 and in the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1001, Chapter 3, or one other equivalent course approved by the Executive Board. An extension of time may be granted by said Board for just cause.
C. 
A member shall be considered a probationary member until completing a minimum of six months service and successful completion of one FF-I or equivalent course.
D. 
A member shall complete Firefighter II (FF-II), defined in NFPA Chapter 4, or one other equivalent course approved by the Executive Board prior to the completion of the third year of membership. An extension of time may be granted by said Board for just cause.
E. 
Any member moving his residence from within the boundaries of the Borough of Hopatcong shall forfeit his active membership in the Department; except, however, that a written request for a leave of absence will be considered by the Executive Board of the Department. Said Board will act on the request within a thirty-day period. Requests will be granted for an emergency disruption of a residence due to fire or other catastrophe, family problems or other just causes. Requests can be approved for up to 90 days and may be extended for additional ninety-day periods.
Every person seeking to join the Fire Department shall make application to the company of the Department which he desires to join, and, upon his election to membership according to the bylaws of said company, he shall become a member in good standing of the Fire Department, provided that his membership is approved by the Mayor and Council and complies with the requirements of this chapter.
A. 
Every active member of the Fire Department shall, in each and every year, perform at least 60% of duty. Said 60% shall be composed of attendance at drills, answering fire alarms, actual attendance and duty at fires, care of equipment after fires, at the firehouse, and other duties as called. An active life member shall only be required to perform at least 30% of said duty.
B. 
With regard to qualification for receipt of the yearly clothing allowance, no waiver of percentage may be granted, and 60% must be attained by any member wishing to qualify for the allowance.
C. 
An "active life member" is defined as a person who has served not less than 20 years as a member of the Hopatcong Fire Department and who does not fall within the definition of § 17-6D below.
D. 
An "inactive life member" is defined as a person who has served not less than 20 years as a member of the Hopatcong Fire Department and has not met the requirements of § 17-6A above for two of three consecutive years.
E. 
An inactive life member shall be entitled to all rights and privileges of membership in the Hopatcong Fire Department, except that he shall not be entitled to vote at its meetings and elections, nor can he hold office.
A. 
There shall be procured and the companies provided with Department-issued equipment and property. All items shall be of such design and material as may be recommended by the Chief and adopted by the Fire Committee of the Council. Equipment shall be deposited with the Chief of the Fire Department, who shall have charge of the proper distribution thereof.
B. 
Within 10 days of ceasing to be an active member of the Department, every such member shall return any and all such equipment and property, in good condition, to the Chief of the Fire Department. Failure to do so shall cause that person to be liable for the replacement cost of such item(s) and be subject to a penalty of $100, to be recovered in an action of debt in the corporate name of the Borough. It shall be the duty of the Chief of the Fire Department to procure such equipment and property to be returned as provided in this chapter and, in default of such return, to institute proceedings to recover such costs and penalty. Any such proceedings shall be authorized by the Mayor and Council of the Borough of Hopatcong.
C. 
All such equipment and property shall be the exclusive property of the Borough of Hopatcong, and the Chief of the Fire Department shall keep a record of such items so delivered by him and returned to him, and by whom and when, and make a report thereof from time to time to the Mayor and Council.