[Added 3-3-1994 by Ord. No. 1-94]
The Chief and officers of the Hopatcong Fire
Department, in consultation with the respective company captains,
are hereby authorized to establish a Fire Cadet Corps within the Hopatcong
Fire Department. The purpose of the Fire Cadet Corps is to provide
educational opportunities in the techniques of firefighting and to
provide assistance to the members of the Hopatcong Fire Department
in protecting the residents from fire, promote safety and provide
aid in times of disaster. Said corps shall be governed by Rules and
Regulations to be adopted by the Mayor and Council upon recommendation
of the Fire Chief.
[Amended 4-7-1994 by Ord. No. 13-94]
A.
There shall be a maximum membership in the Corps of
Fire Cadets of 15 members. All such members shall be between the ages
of 16 and 21 years and shall be residents of the Borough of Hopatcong
for at least six months prior to the submission of the membership
application. All applicants shall be in good physical health.
B.
The Chief of the Fire Department shall develop a membership
application for the Fire Cadet Corps separate and apart from the membership
application for the Department. All applicants shall be required to
undergo a physical examination by a licensed physician at their own
expense. Parental consent shall also be required for all members under
the age of 18 years. If the applicant is a student, a copy of the
applicant's school transcript shall be required to be submitted as
part of the application. If the applicant has a driver's license,
submission of the application shall be deemed to be consent to a driver's
license check. All applicants (and his or her parents, or guardians,
if the applicant is a minor) shall be interviewed by a Departmental
Membership Committee, to be appointed by the Chief and which shall
include a member of each company. An applicant will be accepted for
membership by majority vote of the Membership Committee. The Membership
Committee shall report its findings and recommendations on each applicant
to the full membership of the Department at the next regular Departmental
meeting.
Pursuant to the rules and regulations, the Fire
Cadet Corps may organize and elect officers, hold meetings and conduct
business relative to the organization of the corps.
A.
Members of the corps shall have no voting or membership
rights in the overall Department.
B.
Members of the fire cadets will not be assigned to
a specific fire company. Cadets will be assigned on a rotational basis
to different companies.
C.
All fire cadets will be required to abide by the rules
and regulations as adopted by the Mayor and Council and the bylaws
and rules and regulations of the Hopatcong Fire Department.
At a minimum all fire cadets shall conform to
the following Code of Conduct. Additional requirements to the Code
of Conduct may be incorporated into the rules and regulations.
A.
When responding to a fire call, all motor vehicle
laws, including speed limits and traffic signs, must be obeyed.
B.
Cadet firefighters are not allowed to ride on the
beavertail of all apparatus; they must ride in the cab or standing
area by the jump seats if space is available.
C.
At an emergency call, cadet firefighters must wear
black helmets and/or arm bands, as provided by the Fire Department
and as specified in the rules and regulations.
[Amended 4-7-1994 by Ord. No. 13-94]
D.
Full turnout gear must be worn at all calls as directed
by the officer in charge at the scene.
E.
Upon arriving at a scene, cadet firefighters must
immediately report to the foreman or steward of the cadets who will
receive instructions from a Fire Department line officer. If a Fire
Department line officer is not available, cadet firefighters are to
report to the driver of an apparatus.
F.
Cadet firefighters are not permitted to:
(1)
Drive Fire Department vehicles.
(2)
Operate a nozzle on a charged line unless supervised
by a line officer or a designated firefighter.
(3)
Utilize self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA)
at a fire scene.
(4)
Use power equipment unless supervised by a line officer
of the Fire Department or a designated firefighter.
(5)
Enter fire structures during an active fire.
(6)
Approach a vehicle fire.
G.
Climbing ladders will not be permitted without proper
training.
H.
Cadet firefighters under the age of 18 years shall
not be allowed to respond to any call after 10:30 p.m.
[Amended 4-7-1994 by Ord. No. 13-94]
I.
Cadet firefighters are not permitted, under any circumstances,
to leave school to respond to a call.
J.
Cadet firefighters will not be allowed to consume
alcohol, indulge/consume controlled substances, gamble or use abusive
language at any time while attending or representing the Hopatcong
Fire Department Fire Cadets.
K.
Cadet firefighters must maintain passing grades in
school and submit grades to the line officers in charge of the cadets
on a regular basis (at least quarterly).
Fire cadets shall be subject to disciplinary
procedures as established in the rules and regulations. A member may
be removed after an opportunity for hearing by a majority of the membership
of the Department.
