[Ord. #676, Preamble; Ord. #1199; Ord. #2199, 6-26-2012, amended]
There is a need to provide opportunity for and develop young people who are interested in learning the fields of fire prevention, fire fighting and emergency first aid work in Bernards Township, and this can be accomplished by authorizing the volunteer first aid and rescue squads and fire companies serving Bernards Township to organize a junior fire fighter's auxiliary in accordance with the laws of the State of New Jersey 1971, Chapter 197, § 1 (N.J.S.A. 40A:14-95), as amended by P.L. 2011, Chapter 56.
[Ord. #676, § A; Ord. #1199; Ord. #2199, 6-26-2012, amended]
No person shall be eligible for membership who is less than 16 or more than 21 years of age. Persons between the ages of 16 and 18 shall be required to obtain permission to join the auxiliary and perform the support duties from their parents or guardian. Such permission shall be in writing and acknowledge or proved in the manner required by law for deeds to real estate to be recorded.
[Ord. #676, § B; Ord. #1199]
Members of the auxiliary shall be insured with the same coverage and in the same amounts provided for the regular volunteer fire fighters of the municipality.
[Ord. #676, § C; Ord. #1199]
a. 
The junior fire fighter's auxiliary program within each fire company shall be under the guidance of a standing committee within the fire company, appointed by the authority within each fire company having power to make such appointments. The standing committee shall be made up of three members, all of whom have served as field officers.
b. 
The role of this committee shall include oversight of training program design, delivery and recordkeeping to ensure the junior fire fighters have been appropriately and adequately trained to perform the support duties; and that the junior fire fighters are appropriately and adequately supervised in performing those support duties at the fire site.
[Ord. #2199, 6-26-2012, added]
[Ord. #676, § D; Ord. #1199; Ord. #2199, 6-26-2012, amended]
The number of junior fire fighters shall be limited to no more than 20 members in each fire company, with the actual number at any given time to be determined by the individual fire company.
[Ord. #676, § E; Ord. #1199]
The Junior Fire Fighter's Auxiliary Committee may establish progressive training program for each member in the following categories:
a. 
Fire prevention.
b. 
Ladders.
c. 
Hose evolution.
d. 
Truck usage and maintenance.
e. 
First aid.
f. 
CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation).
g. 
Emergency child birth.
h. 
Defensive driving.
i. 
Salvage covers.
j. 
Fire engine pumps.
k. 
Personal protective equipment (PPE), including self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA).
[Ord. #2199, 6-26-2012, added]
[Ord. #676, § F; Ord. #1199; Ord. #2199, 6-26-2012, amended]
Members of the junior fire fighter's auxiliary will serve according to New Jersey Child Labor Laws. A minor under 18 cannot:
a. 
Work in, about, or in connection with highly inflammable substances, radioactive substances and ionizing radiation, carcinogenic substances, toxic and hazardous substances.
b. 
Work in, about or in connection with injurious quantities of toxic or noxious dusts, gases, vapors or fumes.
c. 
Fight fires.
d. 
Oil, wipe or clean machinery in operation.
e. 
Work with grinding abrasive, polishing or buffing machines.
f. 
Operate hoisting apparatus.
g. 
Be any place where heating, melting or heat treatment of metals is carried on (cutting torches).
[Ord. #676, § G; Ord. #1199]
A junior fire fighter who is 18 or over may operate:
a. 
Jaws of life.
b. 
Come along (hand-operated ratchet lever device).
[Ord. #2199, 6-26-2012, amended]
c. 
A fire extinguisher on a call.
[Ord. #676, § H; Ord. #1199]
A junior fire fighter shall attend 75% of all training drills and meetings called by the Junior Fire Fighter's Auxiliary Committee during any six-month period. Failure to do so shall require that the Committee determine whether the junior fire fighter shall continue to be eligible to be a member of the auxiliary.