[Adopted 2-26-1934 by Ord. No. 1-1934]
[Amended 6-4-1979 by Ord. No. 7904]
There shall be a Fire Department in Ventnor
City known and designated as the "Ventnor City Fire Department," which
shall be under the charge and control of the Commissioner of Public
Safety of Ventnor City, New Jersey.
[Amended 6-4-1979 by Ord. No. 7904]
The powers and duties of the Commissioner of
Public Safety as pertain to the Ventnor City Fire Department shall
be to:
A.Â
Take charge of all firehouses, property, paraphernalia,
equipment and apparatus now or hereafter owned by the City of Ventnor
City, used or to be used for the protection of property from destruction
by fire, including the fire alarm system.
B.Â
Recommend to the Board of Commissioners the purchase
of such engines, trucks and other apparatus, paraphernalia, equipment
and supplies as may be required; make all necessary repairs; and have
the sole power to make such other purchases and authorize the making
of such other repairs as may be lawful and in accordance with the
rules of the Board of Commissioners of Ventnor City.
C.Â
From time to time recommend to the Board of Commissioners
of the City of Ventnor City the appointment of such officers, drivers,
tillermen, laddermen, hosemen, privates and such other employees as
said Commissioner shall deem necessary or expedient to efficiently
govern, maintain and operate the Ventnor City Fire Department.
D.Â
Recommend such rules and regulations not inconsistent
with the laws of the state or the ordinances of the City for the government
and control of the Fire Department as may be necessary to make the
Fire Department efficient, prompt and useful. These rules may prescribe
the duties of the Chief Engineer, Captains, Lieutenants and all other
members of the Fire Department and may provide such penalties or forfeitures
as may be deemed necessary or expedient. These rules shall be established
by the Board of Commissioners of Ventnor City by the passage of a
resolution or resolutions embodying the same and, when so established,
shall be binding upon all officers and members of the Fire Department.
Printed copies of such rules and regulations shall be supplied by
the Board of Commissioners, and delivery of at least one copy thereof
shall be made to each officer and member of the Fire Department, and
a copy shall be posted in the firehouse. Such posting shall be deemed
notice of the making and contents thereof.
E.Â
Suspend, pending the preferring of and hearing on
written charges, any officer, member or employee of the Department
for cause.
F.Â
Have entire charge and control of all officers, members
and employees, property, paraphernalia, equipment, apparatus and supplies
of said Fire Department and designate members of any of the various
grades to temporarily perform the duties of a higher grade.
The personnel of the Ventnor City Fire Department
shall consist of one Chief Engineer and such Captains, Lieutenants
and other officers as shall be deemed necessary for the proper management
and control of the Ventnor City Fire Department and such number of
drivers, tillermen, laddermen, hosemen, privates and other members
as the needs of the Fire Department may from time to time require
to operate the fire apparatus and equipment effectively and expeditiously.
All employees of the Fire Department existing
in the City at the time that this article goes into effect shall be
members of the Fire Department established in accordance with the
provisions of this article and shall be assignable for duty in accordance
with said provisions.
[Amended 6-4-1979 by Ord. No. 7904]
After this article shall have gone into effect,
all appointments to or promotions in the Fire Department of Ventnor
City shall be made by the Board of Commissioners of the City of Ventnor
City on recommendation of the Commissioner of Public Safety. To be
eligible for membership in the Fire Department of Ventnor City, persons
must be citizens of the United States and residents of the City of
Ventnor City, New Jersey, of good moral character and able to read
and write the English language intelligently. They shall be in good
health, sound in body and mind and capable of performing the duties
required of them. They must be certified to by a physician or physicians
designated by the Board of Commissioners that they are physically
capable of performing the duties required of them. At the time of
their appointment they shall be not less than 18 years of age. Before
entering upon said duties as members of the Fire Department, they
shall take oath before the City Clerk that they will abide by and
conform to the ordinances and such rules and regulations which are
or may be established for the government of the Fire Department. All
applications for membership shall be made in the handwriting of the
applicant.
[Amended 6-4-1979 by Ord. No. 7904]
All officers and all members of the Fire Department
appointed by the provisions of this article or who shall hereafter
be appointed shall severally hold their respective positions and offices
and continue in their respective employments during good behavior
and efficiency and shall not be removed from office or employment
in the Fire Department for political reasons or for any cause other
than incapacity, misconduct or disobedience of such rules and regulations
which are or may be established for the government of the Fire Department,
and no removal for the reasons above mentioned shall be made without
written charges preferred and a fair and impartial trial had thereon.