A.
There exists three volunteer fire companies in Upper Deerfield Township
that have heretofore provided firefighting services to Upper Deerfield
Township and its residents. Those volunteer companies are: Upper Deerfield
Volunteer Fire Company Number 1, Seabrook Volunteer Fire AKA/Seabrook
Volunteer Fire and Rescue, and Upper Deerfield Volunteer Fire Company
Number 3.
B.
Upper Deerfield Volunteer Fire Company Number 1, Seabrook Volunteer
Fire AKA/Seabrook Volunteer Fire and Rescue, and Upper Deerfield Volunteer
Fire Company Number 3 are hereby designated as the official firefighting
forces for Upper Deerfield Township in accordance with N.J.S.A. 40A:14-68.
The continued service as designated fire fighting forces shall be
subject to, and in accordance with, the terms and conditions of this
chapter. Continued service by the companies and their members shall
be deemed to be an acceptance of the provisions set forth herein.
The companies and their members shall be subject to the supervision
and control of Upper Deerfield Township and in performing fire duty
shall be deemed to be performing a governmental function. Each of
the companies and their members shall be responsible for and have
authority over day-to-day operations of the companies and in the manner
and methods of fighting fires. The appointment or election of the
chief of the volunteer fire company shall remain the prerogative of
the membership of the fire company as set forth in the company's certificate
of incorporation or bylaws.
The Township has heretofore purchased equipment for use by the
companies, and in the future may purchase equipment for use by the
companies. The Township has heretofore advanced funds to the companies
for the purchase of equipment and in the future may advance funds
for the purchase of equipment. Any such equipment purchased by the
Township for use by the companies, or equipment purchased by the companies
with money funded by the Township is, shall be the property of the
Township, to be returned to the Township in the event that any company
ceases to be a designated fire company.
Membership in the three designated fire companies shall be in
accordance with this chapter and the by-laws, rules and regulations
of the fire companies, including any amendments thereto. Membership
in such companies shall be open to any persons able to perform firefighting
functions and duties, without discrimination on the basis of an applicant's
race, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation, age, national origin,
ancestry, marital status or physical handicap. All members shall serve
without compensation. Officers shall consist of a Chief and such other
line officers or supervisors as are deemed necessary by each department.
The appointment of Chief shall take place in accordance with each
company's by-laws which shall be within the exclusive authority of
each company to adopt. The Chief so appointed shall be authorized
to control and supervise the fire company's authority and jurisdiction
over firefighting within the Township.
