[HISTORY: Adopted by Mayor and Council of
Borough of Atlantic Highlands 7-25-1944 by Ord. No. 314. Amendments noted where
applicable.]
[Amended 6-23-1970 by Ord. No. 590; 11-28-1978 by Ord. No.
736; 8-26-1980 by Ord. No. 767; 11-22-1988 by Ord. No. 926-88; 12-27-1995 by Ord. No. 22-95]
A.
Membership in the Fire Department shall be limited
to those who have qualified as to age requirement in accordance with
the state statutes. To be an active member in good standing, each
member must meet the following requirements:
(1)
Each member must reside or have regular employment
within a radius of two miles of the borders of the Borough of Atlantic
Highlands.
(2)
Each member shall attend 40% of all fires, unless
excused by officers of the member's company.
(3)
Each member shall pay the dues of, and abide by the
by laws of, the member's company.
B.
Each active member in good standing of the respective
companies shall receive as compensation for expenses the sum of $100
per year.
[Amended 11-30-1961 by Ord. No. 450]
The Fire Department shall be divided into three
companies and be known as the Hook and Ladder Company No. 1, Atlantic
Highlands Hose Company No. 1, and Robert B. Mantell Hose Company No.
2. Each company shall have a membership not exceeding 25 members,
and such company may adopt bylaws for the government of said company
not inconsistent with the laws of the State of New Jersey or of this
or any other ordinance of the Borough. Each company shall have such
officers as are provided for by their bylaws. No other fire companies
shall be organized within the Borough of Atlantic Highlands without
the consent and authorization of the Mayor and Council.
[Amended 12-11-2002 by Ord. No. 16-2002]
Department Line Officers shall be the Chief,
Deputy Chief, Captain and a first, second, third and fourth Lieutenant
and Chief Engineer. These Officers shall be elected by the Department
membership and, subject to confirmation of the Mayor and Council,
shall serve for one year from the first day of January following their
election.
[Added 12-11-2002 by Ord. No. 16-2002]
A Department Safety Officer shall be appointed
by the Chief and shall serve for the calendar year of appointment.
A Fire Department Purchasing Agent shall be elected by the members
of the Atlantic Highlands Fire Department and shall serve for the
calendar year.
A.
In November, at the Department's regularly scheduled
business meeting, the Chief, Deputy Chief, Captain and a 1st, 2nd,
3rd and 4th Lieutenant and Chief Engineer for the following year shall
be elected. A candidate must be a regular member of either the Hook
and Ladder Company, Hose Company 1 or Hose Company 2, meet current
state requirements and have served in the preceding elected position,
or a higher position, for all of the current year or any full prior
year. Any member who has previously completed a year of service as
a Company Officer of this Department may be a candidate for the next
higher position or below. A candidate for the position of 4th Lieutenant
can be any regular member.
[Amended 12-11-2002 by Ord. No. 16-2002][1]
B.
Said election shall be held at the fire house, and
the polls shall be opened between the hours of 7:00 p.m. and 9:00
p.m. of the day appointed for holding said election. The Department
shall choose a Judge, Clerk and Tellers for said election. A statement
of the result of such election shall be signed by the Judge and Clerk
and submitted to the Mayor and Council at its next regular meeting
held after said election. The said Mayor and Council shall canvass
said returns and declare the result, and the persons so declared by
the Mayor and Council to be elected as Chief, Deputy Chief and Captain
shall hold their offices for one year from the first day of January
ensuing.
[Added 11-10-1970 by Ord. No. 603][2]
C.
If a vacancy occurs in any elected position, or if
the Mayor and Council fail to confirm a person elected by the Department,
the Mayor, with the consent of the Council, may fill this vacancy
with a qualified regular member of the Department for a period not
exceeding the lesser of 30 days or the unexpired term. Within this
period, the Department shall hold an election for this position and,
subject to confirmation, this person shall serve for the unexpired
term. If a vacancy occurs in any position appointed by the Chief,
the Chief shall appoint a replacement to serve for the unexpired term.
[Amended 12-11-2002 by Ord. No. 16-2002][3]
[Amended 3-9-1965 by Ord. No. 490; 6-9-1970 by Ord No. 585; 8-26-1980 by Ord. No. 767; 9-10-1985 by Ord. No. 862; 12-11-2002 by Ord. No. 16-2002[1]]
A.
Fire scene
or other dispatch of the Department. Department members shall respond
to all fire calls or other dispatches under the direction and command
of the Chief. When responding to any call or dispatch of the Department
in the Chief's absence, the Deputy Chief, Captain, and the Lieutenants
shall assume the duties of Chief, in this order.[2]
B.
Other duties of the Chief, Deputy Chief and Captain.
(1)
The Deputy Chief shall operate under the direction
of the Chief.
(2)
The Captain shall operate under the direction of the
Chief and shall oversee all Lieutenants. He is responsible for the
testing of hoses, ladders and the SCBA equipment and refill system.
(3)
The Chief, Deputy Chief and Captain may lawfully enter
and examine any building, place, vehicle or vessel where any explosive
or flammable material may be lodged. They may, in writing, direct
the removal or securing of any such material and if the possessor
of the material neglects or refuses, a summons may be issued and the
possessor shall be subject to penalties provided for the violation
of Borough ordinances.
(4)
Annually, as an expense allowance to reimburse each
for expenses incurred, the Chief shall receive the sum of $1,500,
the Deputy Chief shall receive $1,250, and the Captain, $1,000.
C.
Duties of line officers, engineers and members.
(1)
Lieutenants shall operate under the direction of the
Captain and are responsible for their assigned vehicle and its SCBA
packs, hoses, ladders, tools and equipment.
(2)
The Chief and Line Officers shall wear helmets identifying
their respective office when on duty.
(3)
The Chief Engineer shall operate under the direction
of the Chief and is responsible for maintaining operational status
and arranging necessary service for all Department equipment. He shall
direct and oversee all Assistant Engineers and qualify all new drivers.
He shall have purchasing authority subject to approval of the Chief.
(4)
The Safety Officer shall operate under the direction
of the Chief and is responsible for insuring fire ground safety and
performing the statutory duties of a Safety Officer.
(5)
The
Fire Department Purchasing Agent shall:[3]
(a)
Assist
the Fire Chief with the municipal budget, obtain quotes and bids for
the purchase of Fire Department equipment, equipment maintenance,
service contracts and vehicle repairs.
(b)
Fill
out, sign and submit purchase requisitions.
(c)
Sign
and submit purchase orders for payment.
(d)
Keep
and maintain a monthly account of the Fire Department municipal budget.
(e)
Obtain
approval from the Fire Department Chief prior to submitting purchase
requisitions.
[1]
Editor's Note: This ordinance also repealed
former § 51-5, Duties of Chief, First Assistant Chief and
Second Assistant Chief and § 51-6, Duties of officers in
charge.
On or before the last Wednesday in November
in each and every year it shall be the duty of the Secretary of each
company to report to the Chief the name, the residence and occupation
of each person elected a member of his company and at the same time
furnish that officer with a correct list of all members of his company,
regularly equipped, designating their names and residences, which
list the Chief shall file with the Clerk of the Council at their next
regular meeting. On or before the last Wednesday in November in each
year, the Secretary of each fire company shall give to the Chief the
names of all members of his company who have died, resigned or been
expelled within the last preceding year, that such names may and they
shall appear in the Chief's annual report to the Mayor and Council
and be kept as public record.
Any building used for public entertainment must
provide proper exits with doors opening outward. They shall have at
least one fireman on duty at each show or entertainment, unless otherwise
ordered by the Chief. The Chief or in his absence the First Assistant
Chief or Second Assistant Chief shall designate such firemen to attend
such entertainment. For any violation of this section, the Mayor and
Council shall have power to close such show or entertainment, and
upon conviction before the Recorder or Mayor shall pay a fine of not
exceeding $100 and costs.
[Amended 12-11-2002 by Ord. No. 16-2002]
No apparatus shall leave the Borough except
by permission of the Mayor, Chief or, in his absence, the Deputy Chief
or Captain.
No fire apparatus shall be used on any trial
of skill except by written consent of the Council.
Any persons who shall willfully drive, propel,
or cause to be driven or propelled, any vehicle over hose or other
fire apparatus or shall willfully cut or deface the same, shall, upon
conviction thereof, before the Mayor or Borough Recorder for each
and every offense pay a fine of not exceeding $100.[1]
The penalty for the violation of this article
or any part thereof to which no specific penalty is attached shall,
in the case of an officer, be degraded from office, and in the case
of a fireman, suspension from the Department, and these penalties
shall be enforceable at the option of the Council.
It shall be the duty of the officers of the
Department to promptly report any violation of this article to the
Chief, who shall in turn report the same to the Mayor and Council
at its next meeting, which shall examine into such charge or charges
and shall take such action therein as it may deem advisable.
The term of active service required of a member
of any Hose or Hook and Ladder Company of the Fire Department of the
Borough of Atlantic Highlands, acting under and subject to the direction,
authority and control of the Council of the Borough of Atlantic Highlands,
shall be seven years in order to entitle any such member of such company
as aforesaid to become an exempt fireman.
Whenever any fireman who shall be a member of
any Hose or Hook and Ladder Company of the Fire Department of Atlantic
Highlands acting under and subject to the Mayor and Council of the
Borough shall present and deliver to the Clerk of the Borough a certificate
in writing signed by the officer in charge, and attested by the Secretary
of such Hook and Ladder or Hose Company of which such fireman is a
member, to the effect that such fireman has served in such company
as an active fireman for the term of seven years next preceding the
date of such certificate, the Municipal Clerk shall deliver and present
to any such fireman three certificates in writing, signed by the Fire
Chief, the Mayor of the Borough, and attested by the Municipal Clerk
with the Corporate Seal of said Borough of Atlantic Highlands thereto
affixed, to the effect that such fireman by reason of said seven years'
service as such active fireman, as aforesaid, is from the date of
such certificate and from thenceforth an exempt fireman and entitled
to all the rights and privileges granted to exempt firemen by the
laws of the State of New Jersey.
[Added 11-23-1971 by Ord. No. 618][1]
An exempt member of the Atlantic Highlands Fire
Department who has completed 20 years of active service may be eligible
to receive life membership. To receive life membership, an active
or past active member must apply and then be approved by a majority
vote in his respective company and a majority vote of the Department.
A life member is exempt from all compulsory duties of the companies
and is granted every privilege of an active member, including a vote
on every action of the company and Department and the right to hold
any office within the company, except that of a line officer. A life
member is not eligible to receive payment from the Borough as compensation
for his services.
