A.
The Volunteer Division of the Madison Fire Department
shall consist of the Madison Hook and Ladder Company No. 1, the Madison Hose
Company No. 1 and such other volunteer fire companies as the Council may hereafter
officially designate and appoint to combat and extinguish fires in the Borough
of Madison, New Jersey.
[Amended 3-12-2001 by Ord. No. 8-2001]
B.
Said companies shall be under the general control of
the Council of the Borough of Madison and shall be subject to such ordinances
and rules and regulations as shall now be in effect or may hereafter be enacted
by said Council.
Qualifications for membership and admission to membership in the fire
companies comprising the Volunteer Division shall be as prescribed by the
bylaws of the respective companies, subject to the provisions of any laws
of the State of New Jersey pertaining thereto; provided, however, that no
person elected to membership in any volunteer fire company comprising the
Volunteer Division of the Madison Fire Department shall engage in any Fire
Department activities; take part in the extinguishment of fires; use, handle,
wear or be transported upon any borough fire apparatus or equipment; or avail
himself of the privileges of Fire Department headquarters, until such person
shall have been confirmed as a member of such Division by the Council of the
Borough of Madison. Such approval may be revoked or any member of a volunteer
company may be suspended by the Council from active duty with the Fire Department
for just cause, upon complaint by the Fire Chief, any other officer of the
Department or any citizen of the borough, after just cause, upon complaint
by the Fire Chief, any other officer of the Department or any citizen of the
borough, after due notification to such a member and a hearing. Just cause
shall include but is not limited to the following:
A.
Willful damage to apparatus, equipment or any borough
property.
B.
Willful damage or injury to the person or property of
others.
C.
The unlawful taking or retention of property of the borough
or of others.
D.
Willful disobedience or refusal to obey the orders of
the Fire Chief and/or other superior officer of the Fire Department while
attending fires, while participating in drills or performing other departmental
duties, while being transported upon borough fire apparatus or when using
or handling borough fire equipment.
E.
Being transported upon or using borough equipment, attending
fires, participating in drills or performing other departmental duties while
intoxicated.
F.
Acting in a disorderly manner at fires, drills or any
public gatherings.
G.
Committing an assault upon any fellow member or officer
of the Fire Department, borough official or other person.
H.
Conviction of a crime.
I.
Neglect of duty or long-continued failure to perform
Fire Department duties or render fire services to the Borough of Madison.
J.
Unnecessary speeding or violation of laws pertaining
to the driving and operation of personal vehicles while responding to an alarm
or emergency on streets, highways or other public places or on private property.
K.
Unauthorized use of borough apparatus or equipment or
removal thereof from headquarters or permitting the same to be done by others.
L.
Making known the contents of any order or other information
of a confidential or departmental nature other than to person concerned therewith
to whom the same may be directed.
M.
Unbecoming conduct or engaging in or assisting in the
performance of any act which is prejudicial to or subversive of good order
and the discipline of the Department.
A.
Position established; appointment; term.
(1)
The position of Volunteer Battalion Chief of the Fire
Department is hereby established in the Borough of Madison.
(2)
The Battalion Chiefs shall be appointed for one-year
terms by the Borough Council upon recommendation of the Fire Chief. The Fire
Chief's recommendation is subject to the eligibility requirements of
membership in the Volunteer Division and such training and experience as required
in the Department's rules and regulations.
B.
Powers and duties. Subject to the superior authority
and orders of the Fire Chief or, in his absence, the senior Captain of the
Fire Department, the Battalion Chiefs shall have the following duties and
responsibilities:
(1)
To answer and respond to alarms of fire and to aid in
the extinguishment of fire.
(2)
When so ordered, to respond to emergency calls and to
render first aid and assistance to those in need thereof.
(3)
To supervise and direct the activities of members of
the Fire Department while performing their duties in accordance with Department
rules and regulations and standard operating procedures.
(4)
To have charge over and direct the operation of fire
apparatus, equipment and appliances in use in the Fire Department.
(5)
To supervise and/or conduct drills.
(6)
In the absence of the Fire Chief and the Captains of
the Fire Department, the Battalion Chiefs are to supervise and direct the
response of fire apparatus to alarms, the placement and operation of apparatus
and equipment, in accordance with the Department's rules and regulations
and standard operating procedures.
(7)
To personally carry out or secure the enforcement of
Department rules and regulations and/or such orders as may be given by the
Fire Chief or Captains of the Department or to carry out or secure the enforcement
of such orders as may be given by the Incident Commander at the scene of an
incident or drill.
(8)
To perform such other duties as directed by the Fire
Chief or other officer in charge of the Fire Department in connection with
the supervision of the Fire Department.
C.
Qualifications. The qualifications for the position of
Volunteer Battalion Chief shall be as provided for in the Department's
rules and regulations as provided for by law.
D.
Volunteer Battalion Chiefs shall not perform any administrative
work of the Fire Department unless specifically ordered by the Fire Chief
or Captains.
The duties of a volunteer fire fighter shall be as follows:
A.
To respond to alarms of fire and to aid in the extinguishment
of fire.
B.
When so ordered, to respond to emergency calls and to
render first aid and assistance to those in need thereof.
C.
To familiarize himself thoroughly with all forms of fire
apparatus and equipment.
D.
When so ordered, to engage in drills and the operation
of fire equipment.
E.
When so ordered, to attend fire schools and courses of
study in Fire Department procedures.
F.
As directed, to clean, supervise and otherwise care for
the Fire Department quarters and all fire apparatus and equipment therein.
G.
To perform such other duties as may be ordered by the
Fire Chief or other officer in command thereof and as set forth in the rules
and regulations of the Fire Department and/or departmental standard operating
procedures.
The Volunteer Division of the Madison Fire Department, whether on the
scene of an incident or drill, in fire headquarters or attending any departmental
function, shall be under the supervision and subject to the direction of the
Fire Chief or, during his absence or incapacity, of the senior Captain. In
the event of the absence or incapacity of both the Fire Chief and Captains,
the volunteer fire fighters shall be under the supervision and subject to
the direction of the Senior Volunteer Battalion Chief. In the absence of or
incapacity of the Fire Chief, Captains and Volunteer Battalion Chiefs, the
senior fire fighter on duty shall be in charge of the Volunteer Division.
Supervision of the Volunteer Division is subject to the departmental rules
and regulations and standard operating procedures and is under the general
control of the Council of the Borough of Madison.
Nothing herein contained shall affect the rights of any member of any
fire company with respect to his membership in said company, as prescribed
and governed by the charter and bylaws of such company.
