A.
The business of the Fire Department is the prevention
and suppression of fire and the protection of human life and property.
B.
In addition to the prevention and suppression of fire,
it shall be the prompt duty of the Department to remove or cause the
removal of all persons from danger, whatever the cause.
[Amended 7-1-1974 by Ord. No. 13-74; 10-23-1974 by Ord. No.
23-74; 1-3-1989 by Ord. No. 33-88]
A.
The Fire Department shall consist of the following
personnel:
(1)
Uniformed. Chief of the Department, Deputy Chiefs
of the Department, Captains, Lieutenants and fire fighters.
[Amended 9-19-1994 by Ord. No. 29-94]
(2)
Civilian. Communication operators, emergency medical
technicians, police and fire signal system repairers, maintenance
repairers (electric), mechanics, office-clerical personnel and other
titles as may be needed.
B.
The total number of uniformed and civilian personnel
shall be determined by the City Manager with the budgetary approval
of the City Council as public need may require.
Subject to the authority of the City Manager
as Chief Executive and Administrative Officer of the City, the Chief
of the Department shall be the Executive Officer of the Department.
In the absence from duty or disability of the Chief, the City Manager
shall designate an Acting Chief who shall have the powers to perform
the duties of the Chief.
The number of all superior officers and the
number of firemen shall be determined by the City Council as public
need may require. Appointments to the Department, the filling of vacancies
therein and promotions shall be made by the City Manager, following
civil service examinations which shall be scheduled by the City Manager
when the need arises.
Qualifications for appointment as an officer
or member of the Department, the removal therefrom and the taking
of disciplinary action with respect to any member of the Department
shall be such as are prescribed by the statutes of the State of New
Jersey with respect thereto.
A.
The permanent officers and members of the uniformed
fire-fighting force in this city shall be divided by the Chief of
the Department, subject to the approval of the City Manager, into
four units or platoons which shall be designated as the First Platoon,
the Second Platoon, the Third Platoon and the Fourth Platoon. Said
platoons shall alternate so that each shall be on duty for a period
of 42 hours per week over an eight-week cycle.
B.
The hours of said platoons on duty shall be from 8:00
a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m. of the succeeding day.
C.
In case of a serious conflagration or other emergency,
the officer having charge and control of such fire-fighting force
shall have full authority to summon and keep on duty any or all of
such fire-fighting force while such conflagration or emergency continues.
The City Council shall have the authority from
time to time to make such rules and regulations concerning the conduct
of the officers and members of the Department, the duties of such
officers and members and such other matters as may be necessary for
the proper regulation, discipline, good conduct and efficiency of
the Department, and upon the adoption of such rules and regulations,
the same shall be binding upon each officer and member of the Department,
after promulgation.
Company officers in the various stations will
shift with the respective platoons or in such manner as shall be prescribed
by the Chief.
[Amended 1-3-1989 by Ord. No. 33-88]
A.
Desk watch shall be maintained at all fire stations.
Desk watch, dispatch and switchboard duty at Fire Headquarters shall
be maintained continuously for a period of 24 hours each day of the
year by either uniformed or civilian personnel. Members assigned at
headquarters shall operate said duty on a schedule ordered by the
commanding officer of the Department.
B.
At all other fire stations, desk watch shall be maintained
from 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. by company members.
C.
Any member doing desk watch duty, desiring to leave
duty temporarily for any reason, shall be replaced during his absence
by another member.
