[HISTORY: Adopted by the Township Committee of the Township of Cranbury 12-19-2022 by Ord. No. 11-22-10. Amendments noted where applicable.]
There is, and has been established, within the Township of Cranbury a fire company, known as the Cranbury Volunteer Fire Company (hereinafter referred to as "CVFC") which was created and established and is hereby continued to be recognized by the Township of Cranbury. No other firefighting organization is to be formed within the Township without consent of the Township Committee. CVFC must comply with all the requirements of this chapter and the most current CVFC bylaws.
The line officers of the CVFC shall consist of Chief, Deputy Chief, Assistant Chief and Captain or any structure in the most current CVFC bylaws.
It shall be the responsibility of the Chief of the CVFC or his designee to make all reports to Township Committee.
The Township of Cranbury shall retain ownership and control over the firehouses at 2-4 South Main Street which have been entrusted to the CVFC. Minor routine maintenance of the firehouses shall be the responsibility of the members of the CVFC. Maintenance that involves capital expenses, infrastructure investment or is of a large scale shall be the responsibility of the Township of Cranbury.
The Township Committee shall supply contributions to the CVFC funding at its discretion up to the maximum contribution allowed by law.
A. 
The Township of Cranbury shall retain title to all equipment and vehicles purchased with funds supplied by the Township for the purpose of purchasing such equipment or vehicles. If the items are funded by the Township contribution and are above the bid threshold then formal approval of the Township Committee for such purchase shall be required and the purchase will adhere to the state bid laws.
B. 
Nothing shall preclude the CVFC from purchasing its own fire equipment, vehicles or other personal property with their own funds.
A. 
The duties are in accordance with the CVFC's most current bylaws and standard operating guidelines available on file at Town Hall and the firehouse.
B. 
The Chief and Officers shall cause to be kept complete records of all fires, apparatus and minor equipment, personnel and other information about the work of the CVFC.
C. 
The Chief shall report monthly to the Township Committee the number and type of fires during the month and the number and purpose of all other runs made.
D. 
The CVFC shall make a complete annual report to the Township Committee, such report to include information as specified in Subsection C of this section, as well as an annual consolidated financial report each year which shall include information that fulfills the requirements of N.J.S.A. 40A:14-34.
E. 
The CVFC shall be responsible to transmit to the Chief Financial Officer of the Township, on or before November 15 of each year, a proposed capital budget, including estimated costs for items requested.
A. 
Every person seeking to join the CVFC shall make application to the CVFC in accordance with the rules and regulations thereof, and the bylaws of the CVFC. Upon obtaining membership in the CVFC said person shall become a member in good standing of the CVFC, subject to automatic appointment thereto by the Township Committee.
B. 
An annual volunteer fee of $25 per member and $50 for the Chief will be provided by the Township for active members. This is separate and distinct from the Township's obligation under Township Code Chapter 18, Article II, Length of Service Awards Program (LOSAP).
C. 
Junior Firemen's Auxiliary membership is established and regulated per Township Code Chapter 18, Article I.
A. 
Recommendations for the purchase of apparatus and equipment needed to maintain the effectiveness of the CVFC and property to protect life and property from fire, greater than the current state bid threshold, shall be included in the capital budget request and provided by the Fire Chief to the Chief Financial Officer.
B. 
All Township equipment of the CVFC shall be safely and conveniently housed by the CVFC at the firehouses and maintained by the members of the CVFC. The Chief and Officer's vehicles may be housed at the Chief or Officer's residences.
C. 
Except as may be authorized by the Township Committee, no person shall use any fire apparatus or equipment of the Township for any private purpose. No person shall willfully and without authority take away or conceal any article used in any way by the CVFC.
D. 
No person except authorized employees of the Township of Cranbury shall enter any place where fire apparatus is housed or handle any equipment belonging to the Township unless accompanied by or having the special permission of an officer or authorized member of the CVFC.
E. 
The Chief is hereby authorized to extend aid to neighboring communities upon request for fire protection or to establish a mutual aid system.
F. 
No apparatus, excluding the Fire Chief and Officers' vehicle, of the Township shall be hired out or permitted to leave the Township of Cranbury without consent of the Township, except in response to a call for aid in a neighboring community or on official business, including festivals, parades and similar public events. No apparatus is to leave the Township on official business without the consent of the Chief or highest-ranking line officer available. The line officer in charge of the CVFC shall have power to assign equipment for response calls for outside aid in accordance with Subsection E of this section, and in other cases, only when the absence of such equipment in his judgment will not jeopardize fire protection in the Township of Cranbury.
The Township will provide workers compensation coverage to all active CVFC members. Any and all other employment practice liability coverage will be provided by the CVFC and no claims will be covered by the Township Joint Insurance Fund.