Borough of Palisades Park, NJ Article X Fire Watch Program

[Adopted 5-15-2012 by Ord. No. 1575]

§ 143-57 Creation.

There is hereby created a Fire Watch Program in the Borough of Palisades Park.

§ 143-58 Definitions.

As used in this article, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:

FIRE WATCH

A temporary measure intended to ensure continuous and systematic surveillance of a building or portion thereof by one or more qualified individuals for the purpose of identifying and controlling fire and other hazards, detecting early signs of fire, raising an alarm of fire to the occupants, notifying the Fire Department and engaging in firefighting or other emergency activity.

§ 143-59 Implementation; qualified employees.

A. A fire watch may be ordered by the Fire Official or his/her designee except that in an emergency, or in his/her absence, the ranking Fire Department Officer present, may act on his/her own. Fire watches may be posted in any portion of the Borough, and in public or privately owned buildings and/or properties as necessary. Such fire watches shall be paid for by the applicable building owner, tenant, lessee or management organization of a specific property and are to be implemented under the following circumstances:

(1) Required fire protection systems are out of service.

(2) Fire watch is requested by the building owner, tenant, lessee or management organization.

(3) Public and private events with high occupancy loads as deemed appropriate by the Fire Official or his/her assigned designee.

(4) All other situations as deemed necessary by the Fire Official or his/her assigned designee.

B. Fire watches shall be performed by Firefighter 1 certified members of the Palisades Park Fire Department.

C. Persons appointed to perform fire watch duties shall be considered occasional, hourly, at will employees of the Borough, subject to all ordinances, rules and regulations.

§ 143-60 Fees.

All fire watch services ordered for the protection of property shall be paid at a rate of $40 per hour, per individual, and there shall be a minimum payment fee of four hours per individual. Additionally, there will be a fee of $50 per hour for the use of Borough vehicles and a fee of $250 per hour for the use of each piece of Borough fire apparatus. An administrative fee of 15% will be applied to all billings for fire watch services. All payments are to be made within 10 days after service is provided, and payments shall be made payable to the Borough of Palisades Park.