[1]
Editor's Note: The Police Department was previously established in the 1969 Code, §§ 58-1 - 58-34.
[Ord. No. 98-2 § 1; Ord. No. 03-33 § I; Ord. No. 04-14 § II; Ord. No, 06-22; Ord. No. 10-05; Ord. No. 2015-04; Ord. No. 2016-01; Ord. No. 2016-16; Ord. No. 2017-25; Ord. No. 2017-39; amended 4-19-2018 by Ord. No. 18-03; 3-21-2019 by Ord. No. 19-02]
a. 
There are hereby created the following positions in the Police Department of the Borough of Elmwood Park:
1. 
One Chief of Police;
2. 
Three Captains, automatically reducing to two Captains immediately upon the retirement of the Senior Captain in 2021;
[Amended 7-16-2020 by Ord. No. 20-18]
3. 
Six Lieutenants;
[Amended 7-21-2022 by Ord. No. 22-18]
4. 
Seven Sergeants.
[Amended 7-16-2020 by Ord. No. 20-18; 7-21-2022 by Ord. No. 22-18]
5. 
Thirty-nine patrol officers.
[Amended 7-16-2020 by Ord. No. 20-18; 2-18-2021 by Ord. No. 21-04; 9-16-2021 by Ord. No. 21-18]
6. 
Police Chaplain(s).
[Added 4-21-2022 by Ord. No. 22-08]
b. 
In order to provide for a safe and efficient transition when a member or members of the police force give notice of their intent to retire, there shall be permitted a maximum of two additional patrol officers (in addition to the number of patrol officers set forth in Subsection a5 above) who may be employed for a maximum of six months for the purpose of training and familiarization with police procedures. The six-month provision shall apply to officers hired as part of the New Jersey Civil Service Commission Intergovernmental Transfer Program.
[Amended 11-12-2020 by Ord. No. 20-33]
c. 
In order to provide for a safe and efficient transition, there shall also be a separate provision for officers hired off the New Jersey Civil Service eligibility list as a new police recruit. This provision shall permit a maximum of two additional patrol officers (in addition to the number of patrol officers set forth in Subsection a5 above) who may be employed for a maximum of ten months for the purpose of training and familiarization with police procedures.
[Added 11-12-2020 by Ord. No. 20-33]
[Ord. No. 98-2 § 2]
The Police Department shall:
Preserve the public peace; protect life and property; detect, arrest and prosecute offenders of the laws of the State of New Jersey and the ordinances of the Borough of Elmwood Park; direct and control traffic; provide attendance and protection during emergencies; provide appearances in Court; cooperate with all other law enforcement agencies; and provide training for the efficiency of its members and officers.
[Ord. No. 98-2 § 3]
A Detective Bureau of the Borough of Elmwood Park Police Department is herein established, which shall be placed in the charge of the Chief of Police or such person as he may designate. The Detective Bureau shall consist of such plainclothes officers who shall have been a member of the Elmwood Park Police Department for a minimum period of three years; shall have completed courses in criminal investigations, and, in addition thereto, such courses as shall be determined by the Chief of Police to be required of those members of the Detective Bureau subsequent to their appointment to their position of Detective. The membership of the Detective Bureau shall consist of such plainclothesmen as shall be designated for such duty by the Chief of Police and shall, in addition to exercising all of the powers as a member of the Police Department, be in charge of the Detective work thereof, subject to the direction and control of the Chief of Police.
[Ord. No. 98-2 § 4]
The Mayor and Council shall be designated as the appropriate authority as provided in the New Jersey Statutes, N.J.S.A. 40A:4-118. The Mayor and Council shall be responsible for the overall performance of the Police Department. The Mayor and Council shall adopt and promulgate Rules and Regulations for the government of the Police Department and the discipline of its members.
[Ord. No. 98-2 § 5]
The Chief of Police shall be the head of the Police Department and shall be directly responsible to the Mayor and Council for its efficiency and day-to-day operations. Pursuant to policies established by the Mayor and Council, the Chief of Police shall:
a. 
Administer and enforce the rules and regulations of the Police Department and any special emergency directive for the disposition and discipline of the Department and its members and officers;
b. 
Have, exercise and discharge the functions, powers and duties of the Police Department;
c. 
Prescribe the duties and assignments of all members and officers;
d. 
Delegate such authority as may be deemed necessary for the efficient operation of the Police Department to be exercised under the Chief's direction and control; and
e. 
Report at least monthly to the Mayor and Council in such form as shall be prescribed on the operation of the Police Department during the preceding month and make such other reports as may be requested by the Mayor and Council.
[Ord. No. 98-2 § 6; Ord. No. 98-16 § 1]
a. 
No person shall be appointed to the Police Department who is not qualified as provided in the New Jersey Statutes. The Mayor and Council may also require that an applicant for appointment to the Police Department shall successfully complete a physical, mental and psychological examination.
b. 
No person shall be appointed to the Elmwood Park Police Department who is not a resident of the Borough of Elmwood Park as of the announced closing date for the filing of the application with the New Jersey Department of Personnel, and also a resident of the Borough of Elmwood Park at the time of appointment by the Mayor and Council to the Borough Police Department.
[Amended 7-21-2022 by Res. No. R-267-22]
[Ord. No. 98-2 § 7]
No member or officer of the Police Department shall be suspended, removed, fined or reduced in rank for any causes other than for incapacity, misconduct or disobedience as provided in the New Jersey Statutes and the Police Department's rules and regulations.
[Ord. No. 98-2 § 8]
The Mayor and Council may appoint from time to time Special Law Enforcement Officers in accordance with New Jersey Statutes for terms not exceeding one year. They shall possess and exercise all the powers and duties provided by the Statutes during their term in office, but shall not be continued as regular members of the Police Department and shall not be entitled to tenure. The Chief of Police may authorize Special Law Enforcement Officers when on duty to exercise the same powers and authority as regular members of the Police Department including the carrying of firearms and the power of arrest.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: See Subsection 2-27.24, which provides that a Class II Officer may carry a firearm after that Officer has been fully certified.
[Ord. No. 98-2 § 9]
There shall be traffic guards appointed by the Borough of Elmwood Park for temporary and seasonal services. Such guards shall serve at will under the direction and supervision of such officer of the Department as the Chief of Police may designate and shall assist in the regulation of traffic and in the protection of the safety of school children at such school crossings as may be designated pursuant to law.
[Ord. No. 98-2 § 10]
The Police Department of the Borough of Elmwood Park shall provide a police escort for any person, firm or corporation requesting the same; provided, however, that the person, firm or corporation shall during the month of January of each year notify the Borough Police Department in writing that it intends during the calendar year to use the Police Department for escorts within or without the Borough. Unless the person, firm or corporation shall have notified the Police Department of its intent to use the Police Department for an escort service, the escort service shall not be available to that person, firm or corporation unless within the discretion of the Chief of Police or his designee it is determined that an emergency situation exists in which the Chief of Police or his designee shall waive the written notice required aforesaid. The person, firm or corporation requesting the escort service shall pay for such service in accordance with the Borough Ordinances which may be established covering the cost of same.
[Ord. No. 98-2 § 11; amended 4-19-2018 by Ord. No. 18-06]
a. 
In any investigation of a police officer that results in disciplinary charges, which charges seek to suspend, demote or terminate a permanent police officer on charges that the officer has violated one or more of the provisions of N.J.A.C. 4A:2-2.3, or violation of the internal rules and regulations of the Police Department, or any state statute, or the implicit standard of good conduct, and the police officer requests a hearing, the appropriate authority, or its designee, shall sit as hearing officer for the Borough.
b. 
In the event the appropriate authority does not act as hearing officer, the appropriate authority may appoint, via resolution, any individual its deems qualified, appropriate and in the best interests of the Borough to serve as hearing officer. The hearing officer designated to hear the disciplinary matter shall, at the conclusion of the hearing, forward his/her findings and recommendations to the appropriate authority, who shall make the final determination. The appropriate authority's decision shall be reviewable in accordance with civil service law and regulations, as may be amended from time to time, as provided in N.J.S.A. 11A:1-1 et seq. and N.J.A.C. 4A:2-1 et seq.
[Ord. No. 98-2 § 12]
The following penalties may be assessed against any member or employee of the Department as disciplinary action:
a. 
Counseling and/or guidance.
b. 
Additional or remedial training.
c. 
Oral reprimand (note to personnel file).
d. 
Written reprimand.
e. 
Voluntary surrender of day off, vacation, or accrued overtime, in lieu of other action.
f. 
Fine.
g. 
Suspension.
h. 
Demotion.
i. 
Removal from the service.
[Ord. No. 98-2 § 13]
Within the limitations set forth in State of New Jersey Civil Service Laws, N.J.S.A. 40A:14-147 to 151 inclusive and municipal ordinances, the Department disciplinary authority and responsibility rests with the Chief of Police. Except for oral reprimands and emergency suspensions, Department discipline must be taken or approved by the Chief of Police.
Other supervisory personnel may take the following disciplinary measures:
a. 
Oral reprimand.
b. 
Written reprimand (subject to approval by the Chief of Police)
c. 
Emergency suspension.
d. 
Written recommendations for other penalties, such as additional or remedial training and counseling or guidance.
[Ord. No. 98-2 § 14]
Any command or Supervisory Officer shall have the authority to impose emergency suspension, until the next business day, against a member or employee, when it appears that such action is in the best interest of the Department.
[Ord. No. 98-2 § 15]
When the improper conduct of a member or employee of one unit is of such a nature that immediate or emergency disciplinary action is required of a command or Supervisory Officer of another unit, such action may be taken at once, within the following limitations:
a. 
Oral reprimand.
b. 
Emergency suspension until the next business day.
[Ord. No. 98-2 § 16]
When the Supervisory Officer of one unit orally reprimands a member or employee of another unit, he shall notify the Supervisor of the member so disciplined as soon as possible. He also shall submit a written report of this action, and reason therefore, to the Operations Officer, and also to the Supervisor of the member or employee. All reports then shall be submitted to the Chief of Police.
[Ord. No. 98-2 § 17]
A member or employee receiving an emergency suspension shall be required to report to the Chief of Police on the next business day at 10:00 a.m. unless otherwise directed by competent authority. The command or Supervisory Officer imposing the suspension shall also report to the Chief of Police at the same time.
[Ord. No. 98-2 § 18]
Whenever disciplinary action is taken or recommended (except for oral reprimand), a written report must be submitted immediately, containing the following information:
a. 
The name, rank, badge number, and present assignment of the person being disciplined.
b. 
The date, time and location of the misconduct.
c. 
The section number of the violated rule, and common name of the infraction.
d. 
A complete statement of the facts of the misconduct.
e. 
The type of disciplinary action recommended, which may include additional or remedial training, and may include counseling or guidance.
f. 
The written signature, badge number and rank of the preparing officer.
[Ord. No. 98-2 § 19]
Whenever an oral reprimand is given, the issuing officer shall submit an Operation Report to the Chief of Police stating name and rank of officer, indicating a verbal reprimand was issued.
[Ord. No. 98-2 § 20]
The member or employee being disciplined shall be informed of the charges, in writing as provided by N.J.S.A. 40A:14-147, the exception being reprimands.
[Ord. No. 98-2 § 21; amended 4-19-2018 by Ord. No. 18-06]
See Subsection 2-27.11b.
[Ord. No. 98-2 § 22; amended 4-19-2018 by Ord. No. 18-06]
Whenever any member observes, or is informed of, the misconduct of another member or employee, he or she shall render a complete written report of the incident to the Chief of Police, through the chain of command.
[Ord. No. 98-2 § 23]
Disciplinary records for all employees of the Department shall be maintained in a disciplinary file in the Office of the Chief of Police. These files will be kept in a secure fashion at all times for the life of the employee.
[Ord. No. 88-17 § 17; New]
a. 
Creation. In accordance with the provisions of N.J.S.A. 40A:14-146.8, there is hereby created the position of Special Law Enforcement Officer for the Borough of Elmwood Park. Each Special Law Enforcement Officer appointed shall be subject to the requirements of this subsection and the additional requirements set forth in N.J.S.A. 40A:14-146.8 et seq.
b. 
Classification and Powers. The classification of Special Law Enforcement Officers shall be based upon the duties to be performed by the Officers and are established as follows:
1. 
Class 1. The Officers of this class are authorized to perform routine traffic detail, spectator control and similar duties as may be assigned by the Chief of Police or, in the absence of the Chief, another Law Enforcement Officer in a supervisory capacity to act in his stead, the Class 1 Officers are also authorized to issue summonses for disorderly persons and petty disorderly persons offenses, violations of municipal ordinances and violations of Title 39 of the New Jersey Statutes. The use of firearms by the Class 1 Officer is strictly prohibited and no Class 1 Officer shall be assigned any duties which may require the carrying or use of a firearm.
(a) 
The number of Class 1 Special Officers shall be at the discretion of the Mayor and Council. Before any Special Law Enforcement Officer is appointed, the Chief of Police or, in the absence of the Chief, other Chief Law Enforcement Officer shall ascertain the eligibility and qualifications of the applicant and report these determinations in writing to the Mayor and Council.
2. 
Class 2. The Officers in this class are hereby authorized to exercise full powers and duties similar to those of a permanent, regularly appointed, full-time Police Officer. They shall be assigned such powers and duties by the Chief of Police or, in the absence of the Chief, another Chief Law Enforcement Officer. The use of a firearm by an Officer of this class may be authorized only after the Officer has been fully certified as successfully completing training as prescribed by the Police Training Commission established within the Department of Law and Public Safety of the State of New Jersey.
(a) 
The number of Class 2 Officers shall not exceed 25% of the number of regular officers employed by the Borough of Elmwood Park.
c. 
Terms of Appointment. Special Law Enforcement Officers of the First and Second Class shall be appointed for a term not to exceed one year by the Mayor and Council and the appointment may be revoked by the Mayor and Council for cause after hearing, as required by N.J.S.A. 40A:14-147. The powers and duties of Special Officers shall cease upon expiration of the term for which they are appointed. Special Officers so appointed shall not be members of the Police Force or the Police Department of the Borough of Elmwood Park.
d. 
Qualifications.
1. 
No person may be appointed as a Special Law Enforcement Officer unless the person:
(a) 
Is a resident of this State during the term of employment.
(b) 
Is able to read, write and speak the English language well and intelligently and has a high school diploma or its equivalent.
(c) 
Is sound in body and of good health.
(d) 
Is of good moral character.
(e) 
Has not been convicted of any offense involving dishonesty or which would make him unfit to perform the duties of his office.
(f) 
Has successfully undergone the same psychological testing that is required of all full-time Police Officers in the Borough of Elmwood Park.
e. 
The Chief of Police or, in his absence, other Chief Law Enforcement Officer, shall have the applicant fingerprinted as required by Statute, conduct a background investigation of the applicant to determine the eligibility and qualifications of the applicant, and shall report these determinations, in writing, to the Mayor and Council.
f. 
Training. No person shall commence serving as a Special Law Enforcement Officer unless he has been certified by the Police Training Commission, as provided by N.J.S.A. 40A:14-146.10.
g. 
Hours of Employment. No Special Law Enforcement Officer may work more than 20 hours per week, except as follows:
1. 
Without limitation as to hours during period of emergency.
2. 
The Mayor and Council may designate one Special Officer to whom the limitation of hours set forth in Subsection g above shall apply as provided for by N.J.S.A. 40A:14-146.16 at (c).
h. 
Supervision and Direction.
1. 
A Special Law Enforcement Officer shall be under the supervision and direction of the Chief of Police or, in the absence of the Chief, other Chief Law Enforcement Officer of the Borough of Elmwood Park, and shall perform his duties only in the Borough of Elmwood Park unless in fresh pursuit of any person pursuant to Chapter 156 Title 2A of the New Jersey Statutes.
[Ord. No. 02-22]
a. 
Purpose. To regulate off-duty employment by sworn members of the Police Department. The purpose of this rule/regulation is to clearly outline the conditions under which members of the Elmwood Park Police Department (EPPD) may seek and work for an employer other than the Borough of Elmwood Park. This will modify any existing rules and regulations relative to the regulating of outside employment.
b. 
Policy. It shall be the policy of the Police Department to permit members to engage in off-duty "outside employment" subject to specified limitations. Any such outside employment shall not interfere with the performance of a member's duties and responsibilities as it relates to his/her employment as a Law Enforcement Officer with the Borough of Elmwood Park.
c. 
Definitions.
OUTSIDE EMPLOYMENT
For the purposes of this policy, the term "outside employment" refers to any form of work or service provided by a member of this Department where that individual is paid or otherwise compensated by a company, firm, or individual where such conditions of employment have not been contracted through the Borough of Elmwood Park. Any uniform traffic control detail must be performed on an on-duty status only and the outside employer must contract with the Borough of Elmwood Park Police Department in advance for such service, unless otherwise specifically approved in writing by the Chief of Police.
d. 
Conditions.
1. 
Permission for Outside Employment. All member of this Department shall first submit in writing to the Chief of Police utilizing the chain of command a written request for such employment. The employee will submit the request to his supervisor, who will make a recommendation in writing regarding the request and forward the request to the Chief of Police for final disposition. A separate request for such employment is required for each individual employer. Permission must be granted prior to actual employment. Such written request shall contain the following:
(a) 
Name, address and telephone number of the employer.
(b) 
Nature of the business which the employer is engaged in.
(c) 
The type and nature of work to be performed by the requesting officer.
(d) 
The approximate total number of hours that the requesting officer intends to work while engaged in the outside employment including hours per day, week, etc.
(e) 
All requests are for a maximum of six months. A new request must be submitted after the six-month period.
2. 
Denial of Request. A request for outside employment may be denied by the Chief of Police. The decision to deny permission for outside employment of the Department is final and an appeal to a higher or other level is not permitted. Grounds for denial may be, but are not limited to situations where outside employment:
(a) 
May render the member unavailable during an emergency.
(b) 
May be physically or emotionally exhaustive to the point that it may affect the performance of the individual in his/her duties.
(c) 
May require special consideration be given to the scheduling of the individual's regular hours of duty.
(d) 
May bring or may appear to bring the Department into disrepute or impair the operation or efficiency of the Department.
(e) 
Could present the appearance of a conflict of interest with respect to the duties and responsibilities of a Law Enforcement Officer.
3. 
Prohibited Outside Employment. Members of this Department shall not engage in any outside employment or business where they will:
(a) 
Conduct any form of illegal or immoral activity.
(b) 
Be employed by, or otherwise work on, a licensed alcoholic beverage premises within the Borough of Elmwood Park. The Chief of Police may authorize, in limited circumstances, members to work on a licensed premises provided that such employment is contracted through the Borough of Elmwood Park.
(c) 
Conduct investigative work for insurance companies, private guard services, collection agencies, attorneys or bail bond agencies.
(d) 
Conduct any form of "private detective business" as defined in N.J.S.A. 45:19-9(a).
(e) 
Not authorized by the Chief of Police.
4. 
Limitations of Outside Work.
(a) 
Conflicts involving employment. Any outside employment shall not interfere with the performance of a member's duties and responsibilities as it relates to his/her employment in the Borough of Elmwood Park. Further, an individual who is engaged in outside employment may not carry out any aspect of that job during the individual's tour of duty hours.
(b) 
Required off-duty time. Members shall not engage themselves in any outside employment that will prevent them from having at least seven continuous hours of off-duty time for rest in any twenty-four-hour period immediately prior to their next scheduled tour of duty or assignment.
(c) 
Licensed alcoholic beverage premises.
(1) 
Members shall not engage themselves in outside employment in a licensed alcoholic beverage premises outside the Borough of Elmwood Park unless:
(i) 
Prior written approval of such employment is given by the EPPD Chief of Police,
(ii) 
Prior written notification is made to the Chief Law Enforcement Officer of the jurisdiction in which the licensed premises is located,
(iii) 
The licensee of the licensed premises applies for written approval of the employment through the Director of the Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control, and
(iv) 
Prior written approval from the Director of the Division of ABC is received by the EPPD Chief of Police.
(2) 
Any member who is so employed and engaged in the selling, serving, possessing or delivering of any alcoholic beverages, shall not:
(i) 
Have in her/her possession any firearm;
(ii) 
Wear or display any uniform, badge or insignia which would identify him/her as a Police Officer; or
(iii) 
Be permitted to work in excess of 24 hours a week in any such establishment(s).
(3) 
Any member so employed shall be under an affirmative duty to enforce any violations of the alcoholic beverage control laws or regulations by utilizing due diligence to detect and apprehend offenders pursuant to the provisions of N.J.S.A. 33:1-71.
5. 
Regulations Regarding Outside Employment.
(a) 
Personal conduct. Any member who has received permission to engage in outside employment is required to conform to the EPPD's rules and regulations, policies and procedures as it relates to general conduct.
(b) 
Identification as a Police Officer. Any member who is engaged in outside employment may not under any circumstances use his/her position with the EPPD as a means of conducting such outside employment. This does not exclude an officer from identifying himself/herself as such when intervening or thwarting the commission of a crime or other statutory offense.
(c) 
Wearing Departmental uniform or insignia. No member may wear any part of his/her departmental uniform or any other type of garment which would indicate he/she is a Police Officer with the EPPD, nor utilize any Departmental issued equipment.
(d) 
Any employee engaged in outside work is responsible to report any incident which occurs during such employment, including but not limited to any injury to the Officer and any crime or offense that occurs in his/her presence.
6. 
Process for Receiving and Assigning Outside Employment.
(a) 
All requests will be directed to the Chief of Police or his designee.
(1) 
The Chief or his designee will review and arrange for proper assignment.
(2) 
The Chief or his designee will monitor all outside work assignments.
[Added 5-17-2018 by Ord. No. 18-10; amended 11-9-2023 by Ord. No. 23-36]
a. 
Police officers may work for outside private contractors and entities on their off-duty hours with the approval of and provided the Chief of Police determines, in his discretion, that there are sufficient police personnel available, that the outside employment assignment will not interfere with the needs of the Borough, and that sufficient funds have been deposited in an escrow account with the Borough Chief Financial Officer to cover the anticipated costs of such off-duty assignments. The Borough's Chief Financial Officer shall remit invoices to all outside private contractors and entities upon notification from the Police Chief on all outside employment.
b. 
The Borough has established an escrow account dedicated to the payment of off-duty police officers for outside employment by private contractors or private entities. Any prospective contractor or private entity must apply to the Chief of Police, requesting off-duty police services. The Chief of Police will then notify the Borough Clerk and Chief Financial Officer of the request and forward to them the completed application, when received. The written application shall include the following information:
c. 
The dates that off-duty police services and police vehicle(s) will be needed.
d. 
An estimate of the number of hours the contractor or private entity anticipates using the off-duty police officer(s) and, if appropriate, police vehicles.
e. 
A check to cover the cost of off-duty police services and use of any Borough vehicles based on the estimated number of hours shall be submitted before the start of off-duty employment in accordance with state and Division of Local Government services regulations. No police officer shall work off-duty for any private contractor or entity prior to clearance of the funds in the escrow account.
1. 
If the contractor's or private entity's needs exceed the estimated sum in the escrow account, the Borough's Chief Financial Officer shall immediately notify the contractor or outside entity that the funds in the escrow account are insufficient to pay for continued off-duty police services. The contractor or private entity shall then either replenish the escrow account with a check sufficient to pay for continued services or the Chief of Police shall immediately terminate provision of the off-duty police services to the contractor or private entity.
2. 
If the contractor's or private entity's estimated costs exceed the actual costs incurred, then the Borough shall, upon proper notice to the Borough Chief Financial Officer, refund the remainder of the escrow account.
f. 
Rates for off-duty police services are:
1. 
The rate of pay for off-duty police work for traffic jobs shall be $95.00 per hour for the officer and $55.00 per hour administrative fee to the Borough; for Borough traffic jobs shall be $75.00 for the officer no administrative fee will be paid; for security jobs the fee shall be $45.00 per hour for the officer and $15.00 per hour for administrative fee for the Borough.
2. 
The rate of pay charged to private entity performing work for or pursuant to a contract for services with the Borough of Elmwood Park is $60 an hour.
3. 
The rate of pay charged to public and private schools and not-for-profit organizations or corporations located in Elmwood Park or staging events in Elmwood Park is $50 an hour.
4. 
All off-duty work officers will be guaranteed a minimum of four hours of work and will be compensated for any fraction of in quarter-hour increments, or whole hour, thereafter. The failure of a contractor or private entity to contact the Police Department at least three hours in advance of the start of an assignment to cancel the request for off-duty police services will result in the four-hour minimum charge to the contractor or private entity.
5. 
An addition to the amounts noted above, a per-hour administrative fee of $45 for traffic duty and fifteen-dollar-per-hour administrative fee for security detail will be charged to the contractor or private entity which includes a Borough Police vehicle.
g. 
Whenever a contractor or outside entity contracts with the Borough Police Department for the services of a police officer during his or her off-duty hours to engage in police-related activities, that outside entity must first:
1. 
Indemnify and hold the Borough harmless from and against any and all losses, claims, damages or expenses, including reasonable attorney fees, arising from the performance of police-related duties by such off-duty Borough police officer on behalf of such entity. Such indemnity agreement shall be in a form acceptable to the Borough Attorney.
2. 
Provide the Borough, prior to utilization of the Borough police officer, with a certificate of insurance from a company authorized to do business in the State of New Jersey evidencing workers' compensation coverage, personal liability and comprehensive general liability with policy limits of not less than $1,000,000 and property damage liability coverage of not less than $300,000. Such policies shall name the Borough as an additional insured and shall remain in effect during the entire period that the officer is employed by the outside entity.
h. 
In the event a contractor determines not to use off-duty police officers, the contractor must provide for their own traffic control and signage unless the Chief of Police or the Borough determines that the contractor must utilize off-duty police officers for safety purposes. In no event does this provision preclude the Chief of Police from using on-duty police officers, at any time, to perform these functions.
i. 
All other ordinances in conflict or inconsistent with this section are hereby repealed to the extent of such conflict or inconsistency. In the event of any inconsistencies between the provisions of this section and any prior ordinance of the Borough of Elmwood Park, the provisions hereof shall be determined to govern. All other parts, portions and provisions of the Revised General Ordinances of the Borough of Elmwood Park are hereby ratified and confirmed, except where inconsistent with the terms hereof.
j. 
If any article, section, subsection, paragraph, sentence, clause or phrase of this section is, for any reason, held to be unconstitutional or invalid, such decision shall not affect the remaining portions of this section and they shall remain in full force and effect, and to this end the provisions of this section are hereby declared severable.
k. 
All ordinances or parts of ordinances inconsistent with this section are hereby repealed or amended to the extent of such inconsistency.
[Added 1-24-2022 by Ord. No. 22-02]
a. 
Establishment and Organization; Definitions.
1. 
Borough of Elmwood Park Emergency Medical Service. The Borough of Elmwood Park Emergency Medical Service is hereby created and established.
2. 
Definitions. As used in this section, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
AUTHORITY
The right to issue orders, give commands, enforce obedience, initiate actions, and make necessary decisions commensurate with rank or assignments as provided for in the Emergency Medical Service rules, policies, and procedures. Authority may be delegated by those designated. Acts performed without proper authority or authorization shall be considered to be in violation of the rules.
CHAIN OF COMMAND
Vertical lines of communication, authority, and responsibility within the organizational structure of the Emergency Medical Service.
(a) 
The Elmwood Park Emergency Medical Service shall fall under the direct supervision and responsibility of the Chief of Police of the Elmwood Park Police Department and the Emergency Service Director and/or the Borough Administrator.
3. 
Directive.
(a) 
A document detailing the performance of a specific activity or method of operation. "Directive" includes:
(1) 
General Order. A broadly based directive dealing with policy and procedure and affecting one or more organizational subdivisions of the Emergency Medical Service.
(2) 
Personnel Order. A directive initiating and announcing a change in the assignment, rank, or status of personnel.
(3) 
Special Order. A directive dealing with a specific circumstance or event that is usually self-canceling.
4. 
Title of the Emergency Medical Service. Herein to be known as the "Elmwood Park Emergency Medical Service (E.P.E.M.S.)."
5. 
Emergency Medical Services. Any service, including transportation, provided by the Emergency Medical Service to a potentially ill or injured person in response to any call for Service.
6. 
Emergency Medical Technician.
(a) 
Employee/Member. A person who performs in the capacity of an emergency medical technician not more than 28 hours per week.
(b) 
May/Should. The action indicated is permitted.
(c) 
Medical Director. Within the Emergency Medical Service, a Medical Director is a physician who provides guidance, leadership, oversight, and quality assurance for the practice of local paramedics and E.M.T.s within a predefined area. In North America, Medical Directors are typically board-certified in emergency medicine.
(d) 
Order. Any written or oral directive issued by a supervisor to any subordinate or group of subordinates in the course of duty.
(e) 
Patient. Any person who receives emergency medical services from the Emergency Medical Service.
(f) 
Policy. A statement of emergency medical service principles that provides the basis for the development of procedures and directives.
(g) 
Procedure. A written statement providing specific directions of performing emergency medical service activities. Procedures are implemented through policies and directives.
(h) 
Shall/Will. The action indicated is mandatory.
(i) 
Supervisor. An employee assigned to a position requiring the exercise of immediate supervision over the activities of other employees.
(j) 
Third-Party Billing Agency. A business entity engaged by the Borough of Elmwood Park for the purpose of effecting the billing of patients and collecting payments therefrom, which payment shall be remitted to the Borough of Elmwood Park.
b. 
Division Created. Within the Department of Administration, more specifically under the Police Department of the Borough of Elmwood Park, there is hereby created a Division of Emergency Medical Service.
1. 
Chief of the Division of Emergency Medical Services.
(a) 
Position Created. The position of Director of Emergency Service will also function as the Chief of the Division of Emergency Medical Service and serve under the direction and supervision of the Police Chief and or Borough Administrator and the Medical Director.
2. 
Medical Director.
(a) 
Position Created. The position of Medical Director will provide guidance, leadership, oversight, and quality assurance for the practice of local paramedics and E.M.T.s within the Borough of Elmwood Park. The Medical Director shall be board-certified in emergency medicine and serve under the direction and supervision of the Police Chief and or Borough Administrator.
(b) 
Appointment. The Medical Director shall be appointed by the Mayor and Council with the recommendation from the Police Chief, Director of Emergency Services and/or Borough Administrator.
c. 
Membership; Officers and Uniformed Force; Table of Organization. The Borough of Elmwood Park Medical Service shall consist of an E.M.S. Director and as many other E.M.T. members as are or may be appointed and approved by the Director of Emergency Services, Police Chief and/or Borough Administrator, with final approval by and the authority of the Mayor and Council.
1. 
Officers must hold a valid New Jersey or national E.M.T. certification and be residents of Elmwood Park or an immediate bordering municipality.
d. 
Ownership of Assets; Expenses; and Operating Costs. All Emergency Medical Service vehicles currently owned or purchased by the Borough of Elmwood Park will remain the property of the Borough of Elmwood Park (ref: Ambulances Unit # 449 and 892). All expenses and costs for proper maintenance and operation of the Emergency Medical Service vehicles and equipment shall be funded through revenue generated by Elmwood Park E.M.S. services.
e. 
Qualifications for Employees. No person shall be eligible to become an employee of the Elmwood Park Emergency Medical Service unless such person possesses and provides proof of the following qualifications:
1. 
All applicants for membership shall be between the age of 18 and the state maximum permitted age.
2. 
Be physically fit to perform the duties of an emergency medical technician. The applicant shall submit to a medical evaluation by a licensed physician designated by the Borough.
3. 
Be subject to a criminal background check and have no prior convictions for any offense or crime.
4. 
Be subject to a motor vehicle background check with no prior record of careless or reckless driving, driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, or any other serious moving violation.
5. 
Be subject to pre-employment and random drug testing.
6. 
Be a certified emergency medical technician of the State of New Jersey or national certification. Any lapse in certification will be cause for immediate suspension of duties. Reinstatement will only occur upon certification being reinstated.
7. 
Possess a valid New Jersey driver's license.
8. 
Application and approval for employment.
9. 
Paid employees shall comply with and follow the Borough of Elmwood Park Personnel Policy Manual and apply to the Borough as directed by said Manual. Appointments as employees will follow the provisions of the Optional Municipal Charter Law, N.J.S.A. 40:69A-1 et seq.
10. 
Volunteer members shall be appointed in the same fashion as all-volunteer members in the Elmwood Park Fire Department, except that E.M.S. volunteers need not be Firefighter 1 certified; they need only hold a certified emergency medical technician certification of the State of New Jersey or national certification.
11. 
Volunteer trainees shall be appointed in the same fashion as all-volunteer members in the Elmwood Park Fire Department. They will have 18 months to obtain their certification as an E.M.T. and become a volunteer member.
f. 
Membership Roll; Identification.
1. 
The names of the members and trainees shall be written upon the membership roll maintained by the Emergency Service Director.
2. 
A member and trainees shall be issued a photo identification card as evidence of membership. This photo identification card shall be surrendered to the E.M.S. Director when demanded or whenever a member has been formally suspended from the Emergency Medical Service or when the member shall cease to be a member of the Emergency Medical Service.
g. 
Classes of Membership/Employee. Members shall be divided into two major classifications:
1. 
A "per-diem member/employee" is defined as a member/employee who is compensated at an hourly rate for his/her service in the Emergency Medical Service.
2. 
A volunteer member is any qualified person who meets the criteria of a per-diem member but is not compensated in any way for their time or expenses.
h. 
Compensation.
1. 
Per-diem members may work a maximum of 28 hours per week. This may be exceeded only when a life-threatening incident requires personnel recall or during a declared state of local emergency.
2. 
Per-diem members shall be compensated at a rate established by the Mayor and Council and included as part of the yearly salary ordinance established and approved by the Borough Council.
3. 
Any per-diem officer or member who is appointed to serve as a crew chief on the ambulance for a period of 30 days or more and acting in the capacity of Crew Chief will be compensated at the established rate for that position.
4. 
All members shall be covered by workers' compensation insurance and group life insurance. In the event of a line-of-duty death, the Borough shall ensure that all applications are processed and procedures are followed for any eligible state or federal benefits.
5. 
Per-diem members may be required to contribute a portion of their wages to the Public Employees Retirement System ("PERS"). Employer costs for PERS pension shall be funded through the medical billing revenues.
i. 
Emergency Medical Service Composition. The active roster of the Emergency Medical Service shall be comprised of 25 per-diem E.M.T.s necessary to maintain the operations of the Emergency Medical Service. The E.M.S. Director is in addition to the twenty-five-person roster.
[Added 1-24-2022 by Ord. No. 22-02]
a. 
Composition of Board; Control of the Emergency Medical Service.
1. 
The Director of Emergency Services, the senior E.M.T. Crew Chief, the Medical Director, Chief of Police and/or Business Administrator, the Mayor or his designee and a member of the Council, designated by the majority members of the Council, shall constitute the Executive Board. The Board shall meet quarterly or more frequently as needed for the transaction of Emergency Medical Service business.
2. 
The Board shall coordinate with the Director of Emergency Services whenever matters pertaining to emergency medical services as set forth in the rules and regulations of the Emergency Medical Service.
3. 
Adoption of rules and regulations.
4. 
The Borough Attorney shall be the designated legal counsel for the Executive Board.
b. 
The Executive Board is hereby authorized, empowered, and required when necessary to adopt rules and regulations for the control, management, and government of the Emergency Medical Service. These rules and regulations, after adoption by the Executive Board, shall not become effective and operative until presented and approved by the Director of Emergency Services and Medical Director and authorized by the Mayor and Council.
c. 
Application. These rules are applicable to all members of the Emergency Medical Service.
d. 
Distribution. One copy of these rules shall be distributed to each member of the Emergency Medical Service. Each member will be required to sign to confirm receipt of the document.
e. 
Responsibility for Maintenance. It is the continuing responsibility of each member to maintain a current copy of the rules, including additions, revisions, and amendments as issued.
f. 
Familiarization. Members shall thoroughly familiarize themselves with the provisions of the rules. Ignorance of any provision of these rules will not be a defense to a charge of a violation of these rules. It is the continuing responsibility of each member to seek clarification through the chain of command for any rule that is not fully understood.
g. 
Director of Emergency Services.
1. 
The Director of Emergency Services will also function as the head of the Division of Emergency Medical Service. Pursuant to municipal ordinance, the Director shall be the head of the Emergency Medical Service and shall be directly responsible to the Borough Administrator for the efficiency and day-to-day operations of the Emergency Medical Service. Pursuant to policies established by the Executive Board, the Director shall:
(a) 
Administer and enforce the rules and regulations of the Emergency Medical Service and any special emergency directives for the disposition and discipline of the Service and its members and officers;
(b) 
Have, exercise, and discharge the functions, powers, and duties of the Emergency Medical Service;
(c) 
Prescribe the duties and assignments of all members and officers;
(d) 
Delegate such authority as may be deemed necessary for the efficient operation of the Emergency Medical Service;
(e) 
Report at least monthly to the Borough Administrator, in such form as shall be prescribed, on the operation of the Emergency Medical Service during the preceding month and make such other reports as may be requested by the appropriate authority.
(f) 
Prepare and submit the annual budget and proposed expenditure programs to the appropriate authority or other designated officials.
(g) 
Allocate funds within the budget, which are appropriated by the governing body.
2. 
Responsibilities of the Executive Board. The responsibilities of the Executive Board are, subject to the approval and oversight of the Mayor and Council, as follows:
(a) 
To maintain the efficient operation of the Emergency Medical Service.
(b) 
To organize, control and maintain all property and resources of the E.M.S.
(c) 
To develop and implement policies and procedures necessary to govern and direct the day-to-day operations of the E.M.S.
(d) 
To provide for the proper training of all members.
(e) 
To maintain the overall discipline of the Division of Emergency Medical Service.
(f) 
To maintain a constructive relationship with the public, community organizations, the media, and other agencies.
3. 
Appointment of an E.M.S. Director. The Mayor and Council shall appoint an E.M.S. Director. He/she can be a part-time Borough employee and be designated as a Department Head of the Emergency Medical Service Program.
(a) 
Qualifications:
(1) 
Be not less than 18 years of age.
(2) 
Be subject to a criminal and motor vehicle background check.
(3) 
Possess a valid New Jersey driver's license.
(4) 
Possess and E.M.T. Certification, knowledge of emergency medical care, and the process and procedures of emergency medical services.
(5) 
Possess knowledge of computers and common programs, including Microsoft Word and Excel.
(6) 
Be available to manage absences and other problems involving shift schedules.
(7) 
The applicant is not required to be a member of the Emergency Medical Service or a current employee of the Borough; however, preference should be given to a member who meets the qualifications.
(b) 
Responsibilities:
(1) 
Maintain the staffing schedule of the Emergency Medical Service, ensuring that all shifts are fully staffed without exception.
(2) 
Maintain a roster of all members with their availability to cover regular shifts and shifts that must be staffed due to sickness, vacations, and other absences.
(3) 
Maintain a call-out roster of those members available to respond to general calls.
(4) 
Collect, review, and forward all run sheets and forward them to the authorized billing agency.
(5) 
Collect and forward to appropriate officials all personnel and training records as prescribed in the rules and regulations.
(6) 
Collect, review, and forward all timesheets to the Borough for payroll processing.
(7) 
Perform any and all other functions necessary to ensure that shifts are staffed, and information is provided to the billing agent.
(c) 
The E.M.S. The Program Director will be an employee subject to all requirements, allowances, and regulations of such employees set forth in the Borough Personnel Policy Manual and Borough Code.
(1) 
The appointee shall serve a probationary period of six months.
(2) 
The E.M.S. Program Director will submit a monthly activity report to the Borough Administrator. The Borough Administrator will include this report in his/her monthly report to the Mayor and Council.
(3) 
The E.M.S. Director shall coordinate the activities of all volunteer members assigned to the Division of Emergency Medical Service in all aspects of training, Service, and assignments with Township B.L.S. units.
(4) 
Compensation. The E.M.S. The Program Director will be compensated at a yearly rate negotiated with the Mayor and Council.
4. 
Records maintained the E.M.S.
(a) 
Director shall see that timely and accurate records are kept of all responses to Calls for Service, training, attendance, certifications, and any other records required by the state, Borough, or other authorized agency.
h. 
Appointment of Crew Chiefs.
1. 
Members who meet the qualifications for the position of E.M.S. Crew Chief may submit their names for consideration. These names shall be presented to the E.M.S. Director for review. The E.M.S. Director will review the qualifications of all interested members. The E.M.S. Director may conduct interviews to establish facts, such as available time and management skills. The E.M.S. Director shall make recommendations to the Mayor. The Mayor will appoint the E.M.S. Crew Chiefs.
i. 
Command of Emergency Medical Service.
1. 
General Supervision of Emergency Medical Service. The E.M.S. Director shall have the general supervision of the Service in conjunction with the Medical Director. Said general supervision by the E.M.S. Director shall not conflict with such rules and regulations for the government and management of the Emergency Medical Service. The E.M.S. Director shall coordinate with the Borough Administrator in the daily operations and management of the Emergency Medical Service.
2. 
Command at calls for Service.
(a) 
In all cases of calls for Service, the E.M.S. Director shall have full power and absolute command and control under the authority of this section.
(b) 
When the E.M.S. Director is absent from the call for service; the highest-ranking line officer shall assume the duties of command until relieved by a higher-ranking officer under the authority of this section.
(c) 
When all officers are absent from the call for Service, the on-duty Crew Chief shall assume the duties of command.
3. 
Monthly report by E.M.S. Director. The Director shall report monthly to the Mayor and Council, including the number of calls for service for the month, the condition of apparatus and equipment, personnel status, and any other business.
j. 
Service and Conduct.
1. 
Response to Calls for Service. The on-duty crew members shall respond immediately to the call for service unless otherwise directed by the officer in charge.
2. 
Training and Drills. The Director or his/her designee shall maintain a schedule of training and drills and shall activate the Emergency Medical Service for drills or training when and where it becomes necessary. These training sessions may include any, and all mandated training courses as set forth in the rules and regulations of the Emergency Medical Service and any elective training sessions as the E.M.S. Director may deem it necessary or beneficial. Members will not be compensated for the time required to maintain required certifications. The Borough will pay any fees or costs for the training that are not covered by the state or other agencies.
3. 
Record of Calls for Service and Training Exercises. The E.M.S. Director shall keep a permanent record of the duty time and attendance at training sessions of each active member of the Emergency Medical Service.
4. 
Authorized Drivers.
(a) 
Any member of the Emergency Medical Service who drives any Borough vehicle must complete the required driver training as set forth in the rules and regulations of the Emergency Medical Service. Members of other Borough agencies shall be permitted to operate an ambulance if having completed the adequate driver training course; however, they will only be permitted to drive as long as the proper minimum requirements are maintained for adequate staffing of an ambulance.
(b) 
All drivers are subject to an annual driver's license abstract check to be conducted by the Borough of Elmwood Park.
5. 
Request for Repairs or Supplies. All requests for repairs or supplies for the Emergency Medical Service shall be presented to the Director for approval. Purchases shall be made in accordance with applicable state and municipal regulations.
6. 
Unauthorized Repairs; Emergencies. No member of the Emergency Medical Service shall be permitted to tamper with, fix, or repair any apparatus unless directed to do so by the Director or his/her designee, and then only in the case of an emergency.
7. 
Rules of Conduct.
(a) 
General Conduct.
(1) 
Performance of Duty. All members shall promptly perform their duties as required or directed by law, Emergency Medical Service rules, policy or directive, and by lawful order of a supervisor.
(2) 
Obedience to Laws and Rules. Members shall obey all laws, ordinances, regulations, policies, procedures, and directives of the Emergency Medical Service.
(3) 
Reporting Violations of Laws and Rules. Members knowing of other members violating laws, regulations and statutes, ordinances, or rules of the Emergency Medical Service shall report same in writing to the Director.
(4) 
Insubordination. Members shall not:
(i) 
Fail or refuse to obey a lawful and reasonable order given by a supervisor;
(ii) 
Use any disrespectful or abusive language or action towards a supervisor or designated Crew Chief.
(5) 
Conduct Toward other Department Employees. Members shall treat other Emergency Medical Service members with respect. They shall be courteous and civil at all times in their relationships with one another. When on duty and in the presence of the public, officers should be referred to by rank.
(6) 
Fitness for Duty. Personnel shall maintain sufficient physical and psychological conditions in order to handle the variety of activities required of an emergency medical technician.
(7) 
Driver's License. Members operating Borough motor vehicles shall possess a valid New Jersey driver's license. Whenever a driver's license is revoked, suspended, or lost, the member shall immediately notify the appropriate supervisor, giving full particulars.
(8) 
Address and Telephone Numbers. Members are required to have a telephone or other method of twenty-four-hour contact. Changes in address or telephone number shall be reported in writing to the appropriate supervisor within 24 hours of the change.
k. 
Alcoholic Beverages and Drugs.
1. 
The Borough of Elmwood Park recognizes that the possession or use of unlawful drugs and the abuse of alcohol pose a threat to the health and safety of all employees. Any employee who is observed by a supervisor to be intoxicated or under the influence of alcohol or drugs during working hours or is under the reasonable suspicion of same shall be immediately tested and is subject to discipline up to and including termination.
2. 
The Department head will immediately report any reasonable suspicions to the Borough Administrator.
l. 
Judicial Appearance and Testimony Regarding E.M.S. Matters.
1. 
Members shall not volunteer to testify in actions arising out of Emergency Medical Service employment and shall not testify unless subpoenaed. If the subpoena arises out of Borough employment or if members are informed that they are a party to a civil action arising out of Borough employment, they shall immediately notify the appropriate supervisor. They shall consult with the Director and the Borough Administrator before responding to any such subpoena, giving a deposition, or signing an affidavit.
2. 
Court Appearance. When appearing in court on the Emergency Medical Service business, members shall wear the Emergency Medical Service uniform or appropriate business attire.
3. 
Department Investigations. Members must answer questions, file reports, or render material and relevant statements in an Emergency Medical Service investigation when such questions and statements are directly related to job responsibilities. Members shall be advised of and permitted to invoke all applicable constitutional and statutory rights, including consultation with Counsel at the member's expense.
4. 
Truthfulness. Members are required to be truthful regarding their words and actions relating to the conduct of their duties at all times, whether under oath or not.
m. 
Policy for Emergency Medical Services Billing.
1. 
Purpose.
(a) 
The Borough of Elmwood Park recognizes the need to bill for the provision of emergency medical services to aid in the provision of those services.
(b) 
No person requiring emergency medical services shall be denied services due to a lack of insurance or ability to pay.
(c) 
Whereas the Elmwood Park Emergency Medical Service is funded by local taxes, it is in the best interest of the residents of Elmwood Park to establish the payment plan in accordance with the Health Care Finance Administration (HCFA) guidelines so that residents will not be responsible for any out-of-pocket expenses.
2. 
Billing for Service.
(a) 
The Elmwood Park Emergency Medical Service (the "program") shall obtain licensure from the New Jersey State Department of Health.
(b) 
The Borough of Elmwood Park shall apply for a provider number from the federal and state Medicare/Medicaid programs enabling the municipality to institute a third-party payment plan (the "payment plan").
(c) 
All patients, whether or not residents of the Elmwood Park and/or their financially responsible parties, insurers, or carriers, will be billed for emergency medical services provided by Elmwood Park Emergency Medical Service according to the fee schedule established herein or at rates established by the Borough of Elmwood park from time to time.
(d) 
A patient who receives emergency medical services from the Emergency Medical Service is obligated at the time of Service, or as soon as practicable thereafter, to provide the Emergency Medical Service with all pertinent insurance and payment information to facilitate the Borough's billing of third-party payment sources for services rendered. The Borough may, at its option, and shall, where required by law, bill insurers or carriers on a patient's behalf and may accept payment on an assignment basis.
(e) 
All patients shall be liable for any co-payment or deductible amounts not satisfied by public or private insurance. The Borough shall make reasonable collection efforts for all such balances according to the most-current rules or regulations set forth by applicable Health Care Financing Administration federal policies and regulations. The Borough may bill any applicable coinsurance carriers for such amounts. Exceptions include only those instances where the Borough has knowledge of a particular patient's indigence or where the Borough has made a determination that the cost of billing and collecting such co-payments or deductibles exceeds or is disproportionate to the amounts to be collected.
(f) 
The Borough shall not bill any Elmwood Park resident for any fee, balance, deductible, or co-payments not satisfied by public or private insurance, including Medicare/Medicaid, nor will the Borough bill an Elmwood Park resident for emergency medical services provided if the resident is not covered by private or public insurance.
(g) 
The Borough of Elmwood Park may, either directly or through any third-party billing agency with which it has contracted for billing and/or collections for emergency medical services, make arrangements with patients and/or their financially responsible party for installment payments of bills or forgive any bill or portion thereof so long as the Borough determines that:
(1) 
The financial condition of the patient requires such an arrangement; and
(2) 
The patient and/or financially responsible party has demonstrated a willingness to make good-faith efforts towards bill payment.
(h) 
A patient for whom the Borough of Elmwood Park has not received payment from a third-party payer on assignment and who receives compensation directly from a third-party payer for emergency medical services rendered by the Emergency Medical Service is obligated to remit such monies to the Borough in the event the Borough has not been paid for services rendered. Patients who do not send such funds may be held liable for costs of collection in addition to the charges for emergency medical services rendered.
(i) 
The Borough of Elmwood Park shall be authorized to enter into contracts with area hospitals that provide advanced life support (A.L.S.) services to patients transported by the Elmwood Park Emergency Medical Service. This will allow the hospitals to bill for emergency medical services and reimburse the Borough for its transportation costs within 45 days of receiving payment.
3. 
Procedure for third-party emergency medical services billing.
(a) 
Billing Responsibility: The Township Business Administrator and the Township Chief Financial Officer, in consultation with the municipality's EMS program consultant, will be responsible for the plan's billing.
(b) 
The Borough of Elmwood Park may by resolution authorize the Mayor and or the Borough Administrator and Borough Clerk to enter into a contract with a third-party billing agency for the performance of E.M.S. billing and collection services; provided, however, that the following standards for such third-party billing contracts are met:
(1) 
The third-party billing agency has in place a compliance program conforming to standards set forth in the Office of Inspector General's Compliance Program Guidance for Third-Party Medical Billing Companies, 63 Federal Register 70138, as amended.
(2) 
Neither the billing agency nor its employees are subject to exclusion from any state or federal health care program.
(3) 
The billing agency is bonded and/or insured in amounts satisfactory to the Borough of Elmwood Park.
(c) 
A detailed listing of patients who utilize emergency medical services provided by Elmwood Park Emergency Medical Service will be compiled by the Borough of Elmwood Park. This information will be transmitted to the third-party billing agency. The information will be subjected to the confidentiality requirements of applicable law. This information will include, at a minimum, the following:
(1) 
Name, address, and telephone number of patients.
(2) 
Name, address and claim number of insurance carrier, if applicable.
(3) 
Date, time, and E.M.S. chart number.
(4) 
Point of origin and destination.
(5) 
Odometer reading at point of pick up and destination.
(6) 
Reason for transport/patient's complaint/current condition.
(7) 
Itemization and description of services provided and charges.
(8) 
Signature of the patient, when possible, or authorized decision maker.
(9) 
Name of receiving physician.
(10) 
Names, titles and signatures of ambulance personnel, when possible.
(d) 
The third-party billing agency shall obtain the information from the Emergency Medical Service and will bill the patient and/or their financial representative parties, insurers, or carriers according to the fee schedule established herein; provided, however, that the third-party billing agency shall not bill any Elmwood Park resident for any fee, balance, deductible, or co-payment not satisfied by public or private insurance, including Medicare/Medicaid, nor will the Borough bill an Elmwood Park resident for emergency medical services provided if the resident is not covered by private or public insurance.
(e) 
The fee for emergency medical services shall at the onset as follows:
(1) 
$800 plus $9 per mile per trip.
(2) 
Non-transportations, where aid is provided, shall be billed at a rate of $400. A fee of $250 will be charged when medical attention is refused (R.M.A.).
(3) 
The Executive Board shall make all necessary recommendations to the Mayor and Council in the review and amendment and establishing future fee changes and schedules and those changes to fees for services shall be reviewed and approved by way of resolution by the Mayor and Council on a yearly basis.
(f) 
Other fees:
(1) 
Oxygen administration: $75.
(2) 
Disposable cervical collar: $35.
(3) 
AED administration: $95.
(4) 
EpiPen: $150.
(5) 
Nonemergency (scheduled) stretcher transport: $500.
(6) 
Refusal fee (treatment without transport): $200.
(7) 
Narcan administration: $150.
4. 
The Director shall review the fees for services listed in paragraph 3 above annually and adjust said fees based on the recommendation of the E.M.S. Director and the Borough Financial Officer, the Mayor and Council approval and in accordance with the federally approved Medicare fee schedule.
5. 
The Borough of Elmwood Park may, at its discretion, bill additionally for materials, vehicle, and/or personnel costs in the case of major or unique incidents.
[Added 4-21-2022 by Ord. No. 22-08; amended 4-20-2023 by Ord. No. 23-10]
a. 
The position of Police Chaplain for the Borough of Elmwood Park is hereby created in accordance with N.J.S.A. 40A:14-141. The position will be a volunteer position. The position of Police Chaplain shall be subject to the control of the Chief of Police.
b. 
The Chief of Police shall recommend to the Borough Administrator person(s) that he/she believes meets the qualifications of N.J.S.A. 40A:14-141 as well as the rules and regulations of the Borough of Elmwood Park Police Department with reference to chaplains, if any. All applicants for the position of Chaplain shall be reviewed by the Chief of Police and Borough Administrator to determine that his/her qualifications are in accordance with this article and shall make recommendations to the Mayor and Council. The Mayor and Council shall appoint Chaplains in accordance with this article.
c. 
Any person appointed as Chaplain shall be an ordained clergyman in good standing in the religious body from which he/she is selected. The Chaplain shall be a certified Police Chaplain credentialed in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Borough of Elmwood Park Police Department and shall be qualified in accordance with N.J.S.A. 40A:14-141.
d. 
Authority; Duties; Procedures.
1. 
Authority.
(a) 
The office of the Chaplain is to be of service to the Chief of Police, officers, patrolmen, their families, and the residents of the Borough of Elmwood Park.
(b) 
The Chaplain is a staff assistant to the Chief and may be consulted for any purpose by the Chief or supervisory people. It is understood that all communications with the Chaplain, whether of a personal or professional nature by members of the Police Department, will be held in confidence.
(c) 
The Chaplain shall be a sworn officer of the Police Department of the Borough of Elmwood Park but is foremost a duly ordained minister and an experienced representative of his or her denomination. It shall be the responsibility of the Police Department to provide the Chaplain with necessary insurance, uniforms, and equipment.
(d) 
The Chaplain is considered a staff assistant to the Chief of Police and is authorized to act in his name where the presence of police officers requires the assistance of the Chaplain. When on duty, the Chaplain shall be properly distinguished by his insignia and identification and shall conduct himself in a manner becoming his role and denomination.
2. 
Duties and responsibilities.
(a) 
The Chaplain is requested to perform the following duties and such other duties that the Chief of Police may request:
(1) 
Assist Police Department officials in informing families receiving serious injury or death.
(2) 
When an officer is seriously injured or killed on duty, respond to the hospital on request and work with the hospital staff and hospital chaplain according to standard and ethical courtesies.
(3) 
Visit sick or injured police personnel at home or in the hospital.
(4) 
Attend and participate in funerals of active and retired members of the Police Department.
(5) 
Counsel officers with personal problems.
(6) 
Conduct memorial services.
(7) 
Participate in in-service training programs.
(8) 
Attend departmental graduations, promotions, award ceremonies, and other invocations and benedictions.
(9) 
Assist in programs and plans for youthful offenders.
(10) 
Assist in improving public relations.
(11) 
Notify, as soon as possible, an involved person's clergyman in case of a death or serious accident.
(12) 
Make proper referrals in unique cases which need specialized attention.
(b) 
The Chaplain shall also produce monthly reports detailing his activities and a yearly report to be submitted to the Chief of Police, the Mayor, and the Borough Council.
(c) 
The Chaplain should meet on a regular basis with the Chief of Police and superior officers for the purpose of ongoing evaluation, developing programs, and discussion of departmental morale.
3. 
Regulations and procedure.
(a) 
The Chaplain should have a working knowledge of the duties of law enforcement officers shall, keep abreast of new procedures, and be willing to attend training sessions and programs. In addition, the Chaplain shall comply with the following procedures:
(1) 
The Chaplain shall conform to all police procedures and department regulations insofar as applicable.
(2) 
The Chaplain shall be on a telephone call with the Chief of Police, Department members, and dispatchers.
(3) 
The Chaplain shall not publicly comment on any law enforcement officer, department official, or department policy or action.
(4) 
The Chaplain shall not release any information to the public without the approval of the Chief of Police and the person or officers involved.
e. 
Any person appointed as Chaplain shall serve in that capacity without rank or salary. The position will be a volunteer position.
f. 
A person appointed as Chaplain shall serve from the date of appointment and shall continue in that capacity for a period of one year or until such time as reappointed or a replacement is appointed, the initial period shall be from the first date of appointment until December 31 of the year of appointment, and every year thereafter until termination, resignation, or retirement from the position. The Chief of Police shall be notified and consulted should any of these options be exercised.
[1969 Code § 31-1]
The Fire Department of the Borough of Elmwood Park is hereby established and equipped within the territorial limits of the Borough, to be known as the Volunteer Fire Department of the Borough of Elmwood Park. The use of the fire apparatus of the Borough is entrusted to Defender Company No. 1, Defender Company No. 2, Defender Company No. 3 and Defender Company No. 4. The members and officers of the Fire Department shall consist of the members of the aforementioned companies upon the signing of the membership roll of the Fire Department, and whereby they promise to perform the duties of a Firefighter as prescribed by this section or any other ordinance which may be hereafter adopted, and the bylaws of the Fire Board and the bylaws of their respective companies. All changes in the personnel of the Fire Department shall be reported to the Mayor and Council for their approval.
The Department shall be divided into four companies, to be known as follows:
a. 
Defender Company No. 1.
b. 
Defender Company No. 2.
c. 
Defender Company No. 3.
d. 
Defender Company No. 4.
[1969 Code § 31-2]
[1969 Code § 31-3]
The management and control of the Department shall be vested in the Fire Board, who are authorized to adopt bylaws for the control, government, management and regulation of the Department, such as shall not conflict with this section. The Fire Board shall be composed of seven members, consisting of the Chief, who shall be elected by a majority vote of the active members of the Department for a term of one year, three members of Public Safety Committee and three preceding Chiefs, all of whom shall serve in such capacity for one year.
[1969 Code § 31-4]
No member of the Department shall be eligible for the appointment of Chief who has not been a member of the Department for at least five years, during one of which years he shall have acted as Assistant Chief.
[1969 Code § 31-5]
The Chairman of the Public Safety Fire Committee shall be the presiding officer at the meetings of the Fire Board, which Board shall meet the first Wednesday of each month or more frequently if necessary.
[1969 Code § 31-6]
The Fire Board shall have jurisdiction of all matters of dispute arising in the Department and shall hear and decide the same and submit its findings, and report to the Mayor and Council for their approval or disapproval.
[1969 Code § 31-7]
There shall be elected annually a Chief of the Fire Department, an Assistant Chief, First Battalion Chief, Second Battalion Chief and such other officers as the Department shall deem necessary, who shall hold office for one year.
[1969 Code § 31-8; Ord. No. 09-7 § 1; amended 2-16-2023 by Ord. No. 23-02]
No one shall be permitted to serve in any office for more than three consecutive one-year terms, unless there is no other candidate from a company who meets all the requirements for said office. This limitation shall apply to the position of Chief, Assistant Chief, and Battalion Chief only.
[1969 Code § 31-9]
The position of Chief, Assistant Chief, First Battalion Chief and Second Battalion Chief shall rotate yearly, in the following order:
a. 
Chief: Company No. 1.
b. 
Assistant Chief: Company No. 2.
c. 
First Battalion Chief: Company No. 3.
d. 
Second Battalion Chief: Company No. 4.
e. 
In the event of the reelection of the aforementioned officers for another year, the order of rotation will continue the expiration of the respective terms.
[1969 Code § 31-10]
The results of the annual election shall forthwith be certified to the Mayor and Council, who shall confirm such election at the annual organization of the Mayor and Council. After confirmation by the Mayor and Council, the person so elected shall immediately take office.
[1969 Code § 31-11; Ord. No. 77-10]
The active memberships of Defender Companies No. 1, No. 2, No. 3, and No. 4 shall be limited to 28 members for each Company. The membership roll may be increased from time to time if the need may arise by appropriate action of the Borough Council after request for additional members has been made by the Company desiring the increase and after approval by the Fire Board.
[Ord. No. 70-8; Ord. No. 77-10 §§ 1 - 12; Ord. No. 87-12; Ord. No. 95-9 § 1; Ord. No. 00-16 § 1]
a. 
Members of all four Companies shall be of the age of 18 and not more than 40 years at the time of their election to membership. They must be residents of the Borough at the time of their election and must continue their residence in the Borough during their membership in the Department; they must be citizens of the United States or legally residing in the United States during their term of membership. All candidates for membership shall be residents of the territorial district of the Company in which they make application for membership. This residency requirement may be waived only upon mutual agreement of the Fire Company located in the territorial district wherein the candidate resides and the Company to which the candidate makes application for membership.
b. 
Probationary Period. An applicant for membership into the Elmwood Park Fire Department shall serve a probationary period of six months, to commence upon passage of a resolution by the Mayor and Council accepting the application as a probationary member. Such member shall at the end of the probationary period be admitted into permanent membership unless he/she is notified by the Company of which he/she is a probationary member that he/she shall not be accepted as a permanent member. Immediately following a nonacceptance vote, a notice shall be served upon the probationary member by certified mail, return receipt requested, at his/her last known address which notice shall specify the basis upon which permanent membership has been refused. The probationary member shall be entitled to a hearing before the Fire Board within 30 days of the receipt of the notice of nonacceptance by the probationary member. If the applicant desires a hearing, the applicant should request the same in writing to the Borough Clerk. The Fire Board shall either confirm or reverse the action of the Company. If the action is confirmed, the probationary member shall be dismissed from the membership. If the action is reversed, the probationary member shall be admitted to permanent membership. Upon acceptance as a permanent member, the members date of membership shall be deemed to be the date upon which his/her probation period commenced.
c. 
Provisions for Applicants Who Are Not Residents.
1. 
The Fire Department of the Borough of Elmwood Park may, with the consent of the Mayor and Council, accept as members any person residing within a one mile radius of the borders of the Borough of Elmwood Park, including the City of Garfield, the Borough of Saddle Brook, the Borough of Fair Lawn, the City of Clifton, and the City of Paterson. This person need not be a member of a volunteer fire company or a full time paid fire company to become a member of the Fire Department of the Borough of Elmwood Park. In the event that the applicant is not a volunteer Firefighter, this person must apply in accordance with the rules, regulations and the ordinances of the Borough of Elmwood Park for membership in the Elmwood Park Volunteer Fire Department and undergo all necessary training required.
2. 
Any full-time employee of an employer who has a business establishment within the Borough of Elmwood Park whose employees are volunteer Firefighters in other municipalities shall permit their employees to respond to a fire emergency in the Borough of Elmwood Park on the call of the Chief of the Borough of Elmwood Park Volunteer Fire Department. The employer shall provide to the Mayor and Council and to the Chief of the Fire Department in the Borough of Elmwood Park an authorization in writing stating that such designated employee may leave his or her place of employment in the event of an emergency to respond to a fire emergency. Such written authorization shall be submitted with the application for membership in the Elmwood Park Volunteer Fire Department.
3. 
In the event the employee of an employer that has a business establishment within the Borough of Elmwood Park shall not be a Volunteer Firefighter or not be a Volunteer Firefighter in another municipality, but wishes to participate as a Volunteer Firefighter in the Borough of Elmwood Park, the employee shall make application in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Borough of Elmwood Park and the Borough Volunteer Fire Department and undergo all necessary and required training. Upon acceptance by the Fire Department and the Mayor and Council as a Volunteer Firefighter, the employer of such employee shall also provide written authorization as required in the preceding subsection.
[Ord. No. 10-03 § 1]
All candidates for membership shall, as a condition precedent to their assuming their duties as members:
a. 
Be approved by the Fire Board and the Mayor and Council of the Borough.
b. 
Sign the membership roll of the Department, on file in the office of the Borough Clerk.
c. 
Agree to perform the duties of a firefighter as prescribed by this section and any other ordinance which may hereafter be adopted.
d. 
Agree to be governed by the bylaws of the Company of which he is a member, and such rules and regulations as may be promulgated from time to time by the Fire Board and by the Borough Council. All members must be voted on by ballot in accordance with the bylaws of their respective companies.
e. 
Submit to a physical examination.
[1969 Code §§ 31-14 through 31-19]
a. 
Term of Office. Each of the Companies of the Department shall elect its own Captain and such other officers as its bylaws may determine, or as set forth in this section, to serve for a term of one year.
b. 
Time of Elections. The election of said officers of the respective Fire Companies shall take place at the annual meeting of each Company.
c. 
Election Procedure. The election shall be by ballot, and no member shall be elected to office unless he shall have received the majority of all the votes cast and is an active member in good standing, present at said election, it being understood there shall be no voting by proxy.
d. 
Commencement of Duties. The officer or officers as elected shall enter upon the duties of his office on January 1 immediately following his election.
e. 
Vacancies. In the event that a vacancy occurs during the term of office of the Fire Chief by reason of death or otherwise, then the Assistant Chief shall immediately become the acting Chief until the next annual election.
f. 
Elections to Fill Vacancies. If any vacancies shall occur, excepting the Fire Chief, among the officers, the unexpired term shall be filled at the next regular meeting of the Department. Elections to fill vacancies shall be by ballot, subject to the same rules hereinabove prescribed for election of officers at the annual election.
[1969 Code §§ 31-20, 31-21]
a. 
Sole and Absolute Command at Fires. The Fire Chief shall, in case of fire, have sole and absolute command of the Department and the fire apparatus and cause them to be used in such a manner as will, in his judgment, most quickly and effectively extinguish the fire. In the absence of the Chief and the Assistant Chief and the two Battalion Chiefs, the Captain in whose district the fire occurs shall have full power and control and command.
b. 
Use of Fire Hydrants; Notification of Water Department. The officer in charge of a fire shall, upon returning to the firehouse, notify the Water Department of the number of water hydrants used.
[1969 Code §§ 31-22 — 31-26]
a. 
Control and Maintenance. Each Company shall be charged with the care and operation of the fire apparatus and firefighting equipment allocated to it by the Mayor and Council. The Chief of the Fire Department shall supervise and control each Company.
b. 
Apparatus Outside of Borough Limits. No apparatus shall be taken outside of the limits of the Borough in answering a fire call of a neighboring municipality without first obtaining permission from the Fire Commissioner, or, in his absence, from the Chief or Assistant Chief, or from any other member of the Public Safety Fire Committee. At no time shall all the apparatus leave the Borough.
c. 
Annual Inspection of Apparatus. There shall be an annual inspection of the fire apparatus by the Mayor and Council on any given date between May 1 and September 30, the date to be designated by the Fire Officers and agreeable to the Mayor and Council.
d. 
Active Member to Accompany Equipment. No apparatus shall leave the firehouse with less than one active member of the Department as driver.
e. 
Authorized Persons to Ride Equipment. None but active members of the Fire Department shall ride on any apparatus without permission of the Officer-in-Charge.
a. 
Responding to Fire Alarms. It shall be the duty of all members to respond immediately to all fire alarms.
b. 
Attendance at Meetings. It shall be the duty of each member to attend the regular meeting of his Company in accordance with his Company's bylaws.
c. 
Leaves of Absence. It shall be the duty of each member to notify the Captain of his Company within 10 days of any change he may make in his residence, and on leaving the Borough for a longer period then 30 days, he shall notify the Secretary of his Company and obtain permission for such leave of absence. Such leave of absence shall not be for a longer period than one year.
1. 
Any member entering the armed forces of the United States, and including those members who have heretofore joined the armed forces of the United States, when in a state of national emergency, shall be granted a leave of absence until such time as he can again perform his duties as a Firefighter or until such time that the State or National emergency has been lifted. Such member, during his service in the armed forces, shall receive his annual percentage and salary during such period.
2. 
Any member who has been declared physically unfit to continue as an active fireman, and under the age of 55 years, may apply for a leave of absence for a period not longer than one year. If at the end of the one-year period, upon reexamination, the Firefighter is still unfit to perform his duties, he shall then be dropped from the active roll upon the report of the Fire Surgeon to the Fire Board and the Mayor and Council.
d. 
Command in the Absence of Superior Officers. On an alarm, the first member arriving at the firehouse may take command until the arrival of his superior officers, and in case only one of his superior officers is present, then he is to take assistant command.
e. 
Drill Requirements. It shall be the duty of each member to attend such drill called by the Chief or Assistant Chief of the Fire Department or his Fire Company Captain. No drill shall be called without the permission of the Chief of the Department or the Fire Company Captain.
f. 
Requirement to Obtain Exemption Status. Members, in order to obtain any exemption, shall do at least 60% active duty, which shall include fires and drills.
g. 
Compensation. The active members of the Department in good standing who have responded to 60% or over of the calls for duty in attendance at fires and fire drills shall annually receive the sum stated in the annual Salary Ordinance and filed in the Borough Clerk's office. The active members in good standing who have responded to 30% or over of the calls for duty in attendance at fires and fire drills shall receive the sum stated in the Salary Ordinance which is on file in the Borough Clerk's office. Any active member whose percentage of attendance is less than 30% shall receive no compensation.
h. 
Record of Attendance to be Kept by Captain. The record of attendance shall be kept by the Fire Company's Captain. The Captain shall report to the Chief monthly the percentage of fires attended for that month by his men. When a member of the Department responds to a fire call of another Company, the Captain of that Company shall keep such a record and forward a copy of the same monthly to the Captain of the Company of such member and to the Chief.
[1969 Code § 31-36]
The active members of the Department who have served seven or more years on active duty and who have for seven or more years attended 60% of all fires and all fire drills shall be entitled to a Certificate of Exemption. All applications for a Certificate shall be investigated by the Chief of the Department and approved by the Fire Board and then referred to the Mayor and Council with his recommendation. The Mayor and Council shall, after consideration of same, refuse or grant the Certificate.
[1969 Code § 31-37; Ord. No. 10-03 § 2]
Any active Firefighter who has been injured or who is in ill health shall submit to a physical examination at such times as requested by the Chief for a Certificate of Fitness to continue as an active Firefighter. In the event an active Firefighter refuses to submit to such examination or in the event an examination discloses an inability to perform the duties of an active Firefighter, the member shall be automatically dropped from the active roll upon the report of the physician to the Fire Board and the Mayor and Council.
[1969 Code § 31-38]
In the event that any Firefighter shall die during the course of the year, the annual salary of such deceased Firefighter shall be paid to his widow, and if he leaves no widow, then to his heirs.
[1969 Code § 31-42; Ord. No. 85-8]
In the event a Firefighter shall fail to do his/her duty at the time of a fire, fire drill inspection or firematic duty, he/she shall be charged with insubordination or conduct unbecoming a member of the Fire Department, and such member shall be brought, upon written charges, by such Officer-in-Charge at the time before the Fire Board for trial. After the trial, if the Firefighter is convicted of the charges, the Fire Board shall determine the penalty for such offense and may order: an official reprimand; a suspension for a specific period of time; expulsion from Fire Department; or such other penalty as the Fire Board shall deem appropriate as to the circumstances of the case. The Fire Board shall then forward their determination to the Mayor and Council for their approval.
[1969 Code § 31-43; Ord. No. 85-8]
In the event a Firefighter shall be found guilty of a violation of his/her Company's bylaws and regulations, such member shall be brought upon written charges before his/her own Company, and, in the event he/she is found guilty, such result shall be reported to the Fire Board. If a proper hearing has been given to the member, the Fire Board shall determine the penalty for such offense and may order: an official reprimand; a suspension for a specific period of time; expulsion from Fire Department; or such other penalty as the Fire Board shall deem appropriate as to the circumstances of the case. The Fire Board shall then forward their determination to the Mayor and Council for their approval.
[1969 Code § 31-44]
All members of the Fire Department, including but not limited to active members, exempt members, associate members and Company Officers, shall receive an annual clothing allowance, payable in the amount provided for in the annual budget of the Borough.
[1969 Code § 31-45]
Upon election to membership, each member shall be presented with a badge which shall be returned upon resignation or expulsion from the Department. Each member shall be sworn in by the Chairman of the Public Safety Fire Committee.
[1969 Code § 31-46]
All business meetings of the Department shall be held in accordance with Cushing's Manual.
[1969 Code §§ 31-47 through 31-51]
a. 
Creation. There is hereby created in the Borough the office of Fire Surgeon.
b. 
Qualifications. The Fire Surgeon shall be a New Jersey licensed physician.
c. 
Term of Office. The Fire Surgeon shall hold office for the term of one year, commencing January 1 of the year of his appointment.
d. 
Appointment. The Mayor shall nominate, and with the advice and consent of the Council, appoint the Fire Surgeon for the term of one year, or for the unexpired term if there be a vacancy. The Mayor shall make such nomination within 30 days after a vacancy is created. If the Mayor fails to nominate within 30 days or the Borough Council fails to confirm any nomination made by the Mayor, then after the expiration of 30 days, the Borough Council shall appoint a Fire Surgeon to fill the vacancy. No appointment shall be made except by the vote of a majority of the members of the Council present at the meeting, provided that at least three affirmative votes shall be required for such purpose, the Mayor to have no vote thereon except in case of a tie.
e. 
Duties. The Fire Surgeon shall make a physical examination of all members of the Fire Department in accordance with Subsection 2-28.19.
[1969 Code §§ 31-39 — 31-41]
a. 
Retirement to Associate Membership. Any active Firefighter who has reached the age of 65 years shall become an Associate Member of the Fire Department.
b. 
Clothing Allowance for Associate Members. Any active member who decides to become an Associate Member of the Fire Department prior to age 65 shall be subject to recall within the discretion of the Chief and shall be entitled to a clothing allowance in accordance with the following schedule:
1. 
Fifteen years' active service, 1/2 of his annual clothing allowance.
2. 
Twenty years' active service, 3/4 of his annual clothing allowance.
3. 
Twenty-five years' active service, full annual clothing allowance.
c. 
Residence Requirement. Any active Firefighter who becomes an Associate Member of the Fire Department shall remain a resident of the Borough of Elmwood Park in order to receive the scheduled clothing allowance as heretofore set forth.
[1966 Code §§ 31-54 — 31-62]
a. 
Establishment. An Auxiliary Fire Department for the Borough of Elmwood Park is hereby established. The Auxiliary Fire Department shall consist of exempt Firefighters who have been exempted by the Borough and who abide by the rules and regulations as hereinafter established in this subsection.
b. 
Members. All members in good standing of the Exempt Firemen's Association of the Borough shall, upon signing of the roll with the Borough Clerk, become members of the Auxiliary Department.
c. 
Application for Membership.
1. 
All exempt Firefighters who have been exempted by the Borough and who are not members of the Exempt Firemen's Association shall apply for membership in the Association, and upon being accepted, their names shall be placed upon the roll of the Auxiliary Association.
2. 
In the event membership is denied in the Exempt Firemen's Association to any man so applying for membership, for reasons other than those involving moral turpitude, then upon application to the Mayor and Council, such applying exempt Firefighters may be placed upon the roll.
d. 
Meeting Requirement. An Auxiliary Firefighter shall attend at least four meetings a year and keep himself in good standing in the Exempt Firemen's Association of the Borough in order to receive the compensation as hereinafter in this subsection provided.
e. 
Supervision. The Chief of the Fire Department shall be in charge of the Auxiliary Fire Department, and he shall have the right to call upon each and every member on the roll for duty at any time to assist in all firemanic duties in the Borough.
f. 
Noneligibility. Any member of the Auxiliary Department who does not reside in the Borough or any member who moves out of the jurisdiction of the Borough, shall not be entitled to any compensation. Said members moving from the jurisdiction or those not residing in the jurisdiction of the Borough shall be dropped from the roll.
g. 
Duties to be Performed. The Mayor and Council may promulgate, by resolution, such other duties to be performed by the Auxiliary Firefighters.
h. 
Compensation. For the services performed as herein provided, each qualified member of the Auxiliary Department shall receive compensation in the sum of $25 a year, upon proper certification by the President of the Exempt Firemen's Association and the Chief of the Fire Department.
i. 
Conflict with Local Defense Council Departments. The Auxiliary Department herein created shall not in any way conflict with the Auxiliary Fire Department of the local Defense Council.
[Ord. No. 95-2 §§ I - XI]
a. 
Limitations on Junior Memberships. Each Fire Department Company shall be limited to a maximum of four Junior Members. The membership roll may be increased from time to time as the needs may arise, by resolution of the Borough Council, after request for additional members has been duly made by the Department.
b. 
Junior Membership Requirements. Junior Members of all four Companies shall be of the age of 16 and not more than 18 years at the time of their election to membership. They must be residents of the Borough at the time of their election and must continue their residence in the Borough during their membership in the Department and they must be citizens of the United States. All candidates for membership shall be residents of the territorial district of the Company in which they make application for membership. This residency requirement may be waived only upon mutual agreement of the Fire Company located in the territorial district wherein the candidate makes application for membership.
c. 
Junior Membership Candidate Requirements. All candidates for Junior Membership shall, as a condition precedent to their assuming their duties as members:
1. 
Be approved by the Fire Board and Mayor and Council.
2. 
Sign the membership roll of the Department, on file in the office of the Borough Clerk.
3. 
Agree to perform the duties of a Firefighter as prescribed by this subsection and any other ordinance which may hereinafter be adopted.
4. 
Agree to be governed by the bylaws of the Company of which he/she is a member, and such rules and regulations as may be promulgated from time to time by the Fire Board and by the Borough Council. All members must be voted on by ballot in accordance with the bylaws of their respective Companies.
5. 
Submit to a physical examination by the Fire Surgeon.
6. 
A Junior Firefighter may only answer alarms after dismissal from school, and until 10:00 p.m. on school nights. Fires occurring before curfew and extending past curfew will result in a Junior Firefighter being transported home by a regular Firefighter. On non-school nights, Junior Firefighters will not be permitted in any firehouse after 12:00 p.m. unless responding to an alarm.
d. 
Duties of Junior Members of Department. Members of the Junior program shall assist with non-hazardous firefighting duties. These duties may include the following:
1. 
Changing self-contained breathing apparatus bottles.
2. 
Carrying tools to and from fire apparatus.
3. 
Racking hose on fire apparatus.
4. 
Restoration of equipment after a drill or call.
5. 
Assisting in maintenance of equipment, vehicles, and firehouse.
6. 
A Junior Firefighter will not be permitted to drive any apparatus, enter a hazardous area, wear self contained breathing equipment, or man a hose line.
e. 
Attendance at Meetings. It shall be the duty of each Junior Member to attend the regular meeting of his Company in accordance with his Company bylaws.
f. 
Drill Requirements. It shall be the duty of each Junior Member to attend such drill (minimum requirement must be two drills per month) called by the Chief, Assistant Chief, or his Fire Company Captain.
g. 
Exemption Requirement. In order to obtain any exemption, Junior Members must do at least 60% active duty which shall include fires and drills.
h. 
Compensation. Junior Members of the Department in good standing will receive no compensation.
i. 
Certificate of Exemption. All Junior Membership active time shall be applied to the requirement of time needed to be considered as Borough Exempt.
j. 
Any circumstance which has not been referred to in this subsection shall automatically be governed by the existing Fire Department Regulations.
k. 
Violations. A violation of any provision of this subsection or the Fire Department Regulations shall result in immediate dismissal of any Junior Member.
[1969 Code § 24-1]
There is hereby created a Department of Public Works, which shall function under the general supervision of the Public Works Committee and the Superintendent of Public Works of the Borough.
[1969 Code § 24-2]
There shall be appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by the Council, a Superintendent of Public Works and an Assistant Superintendent of Public Works. All such appointments shall be made in accordance with ratings on a certified list prepared by the State Civil Service Commission after appropriate examination.
[1969 Code § 24-3]
The Superintendent of Public Works shall have general oversight and superintendency of the sewerage and drainage systems of the Borough, under the direction of the Administrator. All repairs to the sewers and drains and all connections made therewith shall be under his general supervision. It shall be the duty of the Superintendent of Public Works to see that the public sewers of the Borough are properly flushed from time to time and are free from all obstructions, and generally to carry out and enforce the provisions of the ordinances of the Borough concerning sewers and making connections therewith.
[1969 Code § 24-4]
a. 
The Superintendent of Public Works shall have general supervision over all the streets, avenues, roads, public parks and public places of the Borough and all repairs thereto, under the direction the Road Committee. He shall have power to remove or cause to be removed all obstructions or encumbrances from any of the streets, avenues, roads, public parks and public places of the Borough.
b. 
The Superintendent shall report and make complaint of the person or corporation causing any such obstruction or encumbrance to the Judge of the Municipal Court, and generally shall enforce the provisions of any such obstruction or encumbrance ordinances of the Borough relating to the digging up, obstructing and encumbering of the streets, avenues, roads, public parks and public places of the Borough.
[1969 Code § 24-5]
It shall be the duty of the Superintendent of Public Works, by order of the Council and under the direction of the Committee of Public Works, to cause the streets and the public sewers and drains to be properly cleaned and to be kept in good repair; and to that end he shall regularly and carefully examine the same and shall report to the proper committee or to the Council whenever, in his opinion, any action is necessary in relation thereto.
[1969 Code § 24-6]
The Superintendent of Public Works shall establish an office in the Municipal Building and shall keep therein a complaint book, wherein shall be entered all matters of complaint made to him at his office aforesaid relating to the condition of the streets, avenues, roads, highways, public parks and sewers and drains and public places of the Borough. He shall ascertain the facts in relation to all such matters of complaint and take such action therein as may be necessary and proper in the faithful discharge of his official duties.
[1969 Code § 24-7]
In cases of emergency he shall have power to hire all necessary laborers, servants and employees to carry on the work under his charge, and to discharge the same, or any of them, and to fix their compensation, subject always to the approval of the Council. He shall enter into a suitable book to be kept in his office an account of all expenditures of his Department, authorized as aforesaid, and each separate branch thereof for which distinct appropriations shall be made. He shall keep an accurate account in the book of the names of all persons employed by him, the time when and the work upon which they were so employed and the wages severally paid to them, and not later than the Friday preceding each regular meeting of the Council, shall deliver to the Borough Clerk a statement of the number of days each workman in his Department shall have been employed from the date of his preceding report, the rate of compensation of such employee and the particular work upon which he was employed during said period.
[1969 Code § 24-9]
The Assistant Superintendent of Public Works shall perform such duties as may be assigned to him by the Superintendent of Public Works.
[Prior § 2-37, Board of Recreation Commissioners, was deleted by Ord. No. 14-14]
There hereby is created a Recreation and Parks Department in the Borough of Elmwood Park. The Recreation and Parks Department shall have as its purpose to maintain, promote and facilitate the use of Borough-owned parks and recreational facilities and to provide passive and active recreational programs, including, but not limited to, athletics and related physical programs, camps, after school programs and special needs programs and programs for seniors and families.
[Ord. No. 14-14]
a. 
Creation of position. There hereby is created the position of the Recreation and Parks Director.
b. 
The Recreation and Parks Director shall be appointed by the Mayor with the advice and consent of the Council, and the term of the office of the Director shall be at the pleasure of the Mayor and Council. Any vacancy in this office shall be filled by appointment of the Mayor and Council.
[Amended 8-27-2020 by Ord. No. 20-26]
c. 
Compensation. The Recreation and Parks Director shall receive a salary established by the Mayor and Council in the Annual Salary Ordinance.
d. 
Duties. The Recreation and Parks Director shall supervise and administer all recreation and park activities and facilities. The Director shall be supervised by the Borough Administrator and shall be advised by the Recreation and Parks Advisory Board. The duties of the Director shall include:
1. 
Attend all meeting of the Recreation and Parks Advisory Board.
2. 
Prepare and submit an annual Department budget, subject to the approval of the Mayor and Council.
3. 
Develop a comprehensive program to meet local recreational and cultural needs, utilizing existing resources of the Community and present a program to the Recreation and Parks Advisory Board for review and comments.
4. 
Operate and promote Borough's recreational and parks programs.
5. 
Promote a safe environment for recreation and parks programs and facilities.
6. 
Manage and inspect all recreational facilities.
7. 
Manage, inspect and maintain/order all recreational equipment and services.
8. 
Maintain an inventory of all equipment and property assigned to the Department of Recreation and Parks by the Mayor and Council.
9. 
Inform all residents of recreational programs.
10. 
Issue permits for Borough and Artesian Park facilities.
11. 
Recommend and screen all potential programs directors, league directors, coaches and other volunteers, to ensure the promotion of a fair, safe and unbiased playing and coaching environment.
12. 
Train and supervise all recreation and parks employees.
13. 
Supervise all program directors, league directors, coaches and other volunteers.
14. 
Prepare agendas and minutes of all meetings of the Recreations and Parks Advisory Board.
15. 
With advice of the Recreation and Parks Advisory Board, establish rules and regulations applicable in programming and use of parks and recreational facilities, provided that such rules and regulations are subject to the approval of the Mayor and Council.
16. 
Cause all programs and volunteers to be in compliance with background checks of credential programs, as may be in effect by Borough ordinance from time to time.
17. 
At each regular monthly meeting of the Recreation and Parks Advisory Board, report to the Advisory Board the status of recreation programming and parks facilities and such other matters as Advisory Board may request.
18. 
Ensure compliance with the Recreations and Park Code of Conduct by effectively communicating and by enforcing the Code of Conduct as appropriate.
19. 
Establish a close liaison with other interested agencies and organizations involved in recreational activities.
[Ord. No. 14-14]
a. 
Creation. There hereby is created a Recreation and Parks Advisory Board in the Borough of Elmwood Park.
b. 
Composition; Term of Office. The Recreation and Parks Advisory Board shall consist of seven members, all of whom shall be required to be residents of the Borough of Elmwood Park. Appointments to the Advisory Board shall be made by the Mayor with the advice and consent of the Council. The term of office of the initial Advisory Board members shall be staggered, with three members being appointed for five years, two members being appointed for four years, two members being appointed to three year, retroactive to January 1, 2014. Thereafter, the term shall be for three years. In the event a vacancy occurs on the Advisory Board, the term shall be filled for the unexpired term in the same manner as the original appointment. No member can serve more than two full consecutive terms. A member's position on the Advisory Board may be deemed vacated by the Mayor and Council if such a member fails to attend three consecutive regular monthly meetings of the Advisory Board. All members of the Advisory Board shall attend and become certified through the Rutgers University Athletic Safety Program.
c. 
Organization.
1. 
The Recreation and Parks Advisory Board shall annually elect a Chairman, Vice Chairman and such other offices as the Advisory Board may deem necessary. The term of the office shall be one year. No officer may serve in the same position for more than two years.
2. 
The Recreation and Parks Advisory Board shall adopt bylaws for its administration and establish rules and regulations for its activities; provided, however, that such bylaws, rules and regulations shall be subject to the approval of the Mayor and Council.
3. 
The Recreation and Parks Advisory Board shall hold meetings monthly or more frequent if required.
4. 
The Recreation and Parks Advisory Board may establish subcommittees, as necessary, to assist the Advisory Board in meeting needs.
d. 
Responsibilities. The responsibilities of the Recreation and Parks Advisory Board shall include:
1. 
Assist and advise the Recreation and Parks Director with respect to policies and programs, the development of new initiatives and the management and general supervision of existing programs.
2. 
Provide recommendations with regard to overall quality and services offered by the Recreation and Parks Department.
3. 
Provide recommendations to the Mayor and Council as to how they would like to use the Trust Fund.
4. 
Assist and advise the Recreation and Parks Director in preparation of the annual budget for the Recreation and Parks Department and review and approve such budget prior to its submission to the Council.
5. 
Prepare and provide an Open Space Master Plan for all parks within the Borough of Elmwood Park, which includes recreational programming and park capital needs.
6. 
Screen, review and approve, if acceptable to the Advisory Board, all individuals recommended by the Recreation and Parks Director for the positions of program director, league director and coach, to ensure the promotion of fair, safe and unbiased playing and coaching environment.
7. 
Establish annually the Code of Conduct Committee from its members provided in Subsection 2-37.4e.
8. 
Provide guidance and general oversight for all of the Borough's recreational programs and use, including active and passive recreational facilities.
9. 
Strive to maintain safe youth and adult programs which meet the needs of the community, included but not limited to athletics and related physical activities, special needs programs, and programs for seniors and families.
10. 
Strive to maintain a safe environment for Borough residents to pursue their personal recreation.
11. 
Promote volunteerism for recreation and park programs.
12. 
Study such matters as may be referred to it by the Mayor and Council and report its findings and conclusions thereon in writing to the Mayor and Council.
13. 
Ensure compliance with the Recreation and Parks Code of Conduct by effectively communicating and by enforcing the Code of Conduct as appropriate.
[Ord. No. 14-14]
a. 
Enforcement. The Recreation and Parks Director ("Director"), an employee of the Borough, and the Advisory Board Code of Conduct Committee each are hereby directed to review all behavior at events at which teams or individuals participate under the auspices of the Elmwood Park Recreation Department, including events outside the Borough of Elmwood Park, and to make every effort to ensure that all behavior at said events complies with the Code of Conduct established by this section. Each of them is further authorized to take all steps necessary to enforce said Code of Conduct and to impose appropriate penalties, as described herein.
b. 
Compliance with Code of Conduct. Every participant, parent, guest, spectator, coach, or official attending or participating in any manner in any recreational activity, conducted under the auspices of the Elmwood Park Recreation and Parks Department, shall comply with the Code of Conduct as described herein. The Code of Conduct will be applicable whether or not the event occurs within the Borough of Elmwood Park, provided it is conducted under the auspices of Elmwood Park Recreation and Parks Department. Without limitations, the following conduct is prohibited and shall be considered a violation of the Code of Conduct.
1. 
Fights, Scuffles, Aggressive Verbal Arguments, and Threats. Initiating a fight, scuffle, aggressive verbal argument or any type of physical altercation or abuse, or threats of abuse, towards any participant, parent, guest, spectator, coach, or official.
2. 
Interference with Recreational Activities. Interfering with recreational activities, including, but not limited to, entering the field of play, court, rink, during any youth sporting event for the purpose of physically or verbally abusing or confronting coaches.
3. 
Use of obscene or profane language, verbally abusing an official, player, or spectator, which abuse shall be deemed to include the use of obscene or profane language, or gestures, or racial, ethnic or sexual slurs.
4. 
Throwing Objects onto the Field of Play. Throwing or causing to be deposited any object onto the field of play, court, or rink.
5. 
Bullying, Harassment or Other Form of Aggressive Behavior. Bullying, harassing, or exhibiting other forms of aggressive behavior.
6. 
Aggressive Physical Contact with Participants. Having aggressive physical contact with recreation participants, including, but not limited to, hitting, kicking, pushing or other form of aggressive physical behavior.
7. 
All Other Detrimental Behavior. Other behavior which may be determined by the Director or the Code of Conduct Advisory Board Committee to be inappropriate and detrimental to the youthful participants shall include, but not limited to, encouraging youthful participants to engage in prohibited activity or inappropriate activity.
8. 
Refusing to Follow the Order of Officials. Parents, coaches, spectators, and all other parties at any recreation event must comply with the requests and demands of all field officials, including appointed league officials. Such authority shall include the authorization to direct any person or persons to immediately remove themselves from the premises.
c. 
Violations of Code of Conduct. Any and all allegations, claims, or charges regarding violations of the Code of Conduct may be presented to the Director or Advisory Board Code of Conduct Committee. The Director or the Advisory Board Code of Conduct Committee may also initiate an investigation of conduct that may constitute a violation of the Code of Conduct. The Director may refer an alleged Code of Conduct violation to the Advisory Board Code of Conduct Committee for review. No complaints needed to be filed in order for the Director or the Advisory Board Committee to take action. The Director and the Advisory Board Committee shall keep a log of all complaints filed. Based on the severity of the Code of Conduct violation, the Director and the Advisory Board Code of Conduct Committee may ban or issue a suspension for a period to be determined by the Director or the Advisory Board Code of Conduct Committee, in the sole discretion of the Director or the Advisory Board Code of Conduct Committee, up to and including a permanent ban; except that any suspension issued by the Director in excess of three months requires the consent of the Advisory Board Code of Conduct Committee. The Director and the Advisory Board Code of Conduct Committee are authorized to establish an appropriate set of procedures through rules and regulations for the investigation, enforcement, and imposition of any appropriate penalties, provided that such rules and regulations are subject to approval of the Mayor and Council. Any individual who is subject to sanction pursuant to this Subsection 2-37.4 shall not have the right to reserve the use of Borough park facilities for the purpose of programs or activities involving Borough youths until such sanction has expired or terminates.
d. 
Repeated Violations. Any person banned or suspended from recreation activities for a second violation of the Code of Conduct provision for a period of 12 months or more shall be permanently banned.
e. 
The Advisory Board Code of Conduct Committee. The Advisory Board Code of Conduct Committee shall consist of three members of the Recreation and Parks Advisory Board chosen annually by a majority vote of the full membership of the Advisory Board members. Each such individual must have received certification in accordance with the Rutgers University safety orientation and training skills certification program for coaches.
f. 
Appeals from Decisions Related to the Code of Conduct.
1. 
In the event the Director has imposed a penalty which includes suspension and a ban from attendance at recreation activities, the individual who has been suspended or banned may appeal such action to the Advisory Board Code of Conduct Committee. Any such individual must file a written notice with the Recreation and Parks Department within 10 days after receipt of written notice of suspension or ban.
2. 
In the event that the Advisory Board Code of Conduct Committee has imposed a penalty which includes a suspension and ban from attendance at recreation activities for more than 12 months, the individual who has been suspended may appeal this decision to the Final Appeal Committee. Any individual suspended for more than three months, desiring to appeal the suspension to the Advisory Board Code of Conduct Committee, must file a written notice of appeal with the Recreation and Parks Department within 10 days after receipt of written notice of the suspension.
3. 
A Final Appeal Committee shall be appointed whenever necessary to consider appeals from suspensions imposed by the Advisory Board Code of Conduct Committee for violations of the Code of Conduct which provides for a sanction of suspension greater than 12 months. The Final Appeal Committee shall consist of the Borough Administrator, a member of the Council who has been designated as the Recreation Liaison and the Chairperson of the Recreation and Parks Advisory Board. The Final Appeal Committee shall establish whatever procedures it deems appropriate for it to review the matter and shall be authorized to make a determination regarding the appropriateness of the penalty.
a. 
Criminal history background checks shall be conducted in compliance with Borough of Elmwood Park Code § 20-3.
[Ord. No. 14-14]