Bergen Engine Company. #1
Bergen's Best
By-Laws
Article 1: Name
A. This Fire company shall be known as Bergen Engine Company #1 (Bergen's Best), Carlstadt Fire Department.
Article 2: Objective
A. The objectives of Bergen Engine Company #1 are two-fold: primarily the protection and safety of life and property within the borough of Carlstadt (as it was organized as an emergency unit, it stands ready at all times to answer any call for assistance); secondarily to be the instrument in providing various social activities for members and their families.
Article 3: Membership
A. The limit of members of Bergen Engine Company #1 shall not exceed twenty four (24) regular members, as set forth by the Fire Department Ordinance as adopted by the Mayor and Council of the Borough of Carlstadt and there shall be no more than four (4) probationary members at any time
Article 4: Meetings
A. The Company shall meet monthly on the first Tuesday of each month.
B. The Annual Meeting shall be held on the first Tuesday in October.
C. Special Meetings can be called at the discretion of the Captain or by written request signed by five regular members submitted to the Secretary for notification of membership. No other business other than that specified on the notice shall be transacted.
D. All business transactions at all meetings are considered confidential and shall remain the knowledge of the Company members only!
Article 5: Quorum
A. One person more then half of the regular membership, not including the chairperson, shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.
A. The following shall be the order of business for all regular meetings:
1. Roll Call
2. Reading of Minutes
3. Communications and Bills
4. Applications for Exempt Certificates
5. Applications for Membership
6. Applications for Retirement
7. Resignations
8. Expulsions
9. Mechanics Report
10. Cleaning Report
11. Treasurer's Report
12. Reports of Captain and Lieutenants
13. Report of Chief
14. Unfinished Business
15. Committee Reports
16. Hearing of members (active and retired)
17. New Business
18. 50/50
19. Roll Call
20. Adjournment.
Article 7: Election of Members
A. All applicants for membership must be no younger than eighteen (18) years of age and out of high school, nor older than forty (40) years of age and must reside within the Borough of Carlstadt for at least six (6) months prior to applying.
B. All applicants must submit to the Company in writing a letter of intentions. All applicants will be interviewed by the Investigation Committee. A copy of the By-Laws will be given to the applicant to be read and understood before the application is processed. A report of the Investigation Committee shall be submitted at the next meeting.
C. Following the report, a vote will be taken on the applicant by all presiding regular members. A majority affirmative vote shall constitute election.
D. All elections are subject to the applicant passing a physical examination by the Department Physician, whose report must be on forms approved by the New Jersey State Firefighters Association.
E. All applicants are also subject to a police check, verified by the Chief of Police.
F. Before an elected applicant can assume duty as a firefighter, his application must be approved by the Board of Officers and the Mayor and Council.
Article 8: Duties of Members
A. Upon answering an alarm, members must report to their apparatus or to their company officer. They must not leave the scene on their own accord, but must be relieved by the Chief or Company officer. They are not relieved of duty until the engine has returned to Fire Headquarters.
B. Members must execute, if capable and not life threatening, all orders of the officer in charge. Failure to do so may lead to suspension, fine, or both. If in the members opinion, the order was wrong, he may bring it up for discussion at the next meeting.
C. Members shall conduct themselves as responsible individuals when participating in firematic activities. Company officers have the authority to have such member relieved of duty and removed from the scene.
D. All members shall don full protective clothing while actually engaged in fighting a fire.
E. All regular members must maintain a yearly percentage of thirty (30) percent or better (25 year members are exempt).
F. Members must not be more than three (3) months behind in dues.
G. Members must pay all fines and dues before they are entitled to their compensation checks.
H. Members are required to present for inspection both issued hat and breast badges at the November Election of Chiefs to receive their compensation checks.
I. Members may not be absent from more than three (3) consecutive meetings unless due to their regular forty (40) hour work week or excused at the discretion of the Captain.
J. Members accepting appointments to any committee shall perform all required duties of that committee.
K. All regular members shall secure a firefighters dress uniform of the approved type within 1 year of ninety (90) days of being elected to membership by the Mayor and Council.
L. Members shall attend the Annual Inspection of the Fire Department in full dress uniform.
M. Members shall attend funeral services for all departed Department members.
N. The least Senior member, including Probationary members, will hold the position of Secretary unless at the time of nominations another member accepts the nomination of Secretary and is elected.
O. Any member absent from three (3) consecutive meetings shall warrant the Secretary to send a letter to the member requesting his appearance at the next meeting to justify his absence.
P. All members must maintain a fifty (50) percent or better attendance at Company meetings or their Company voting privilege will be suspended until they meet fifty (50) percent.
Q. Probationary Members
1. Newly elected members must enroll in Firefighter 1 course offered at the Bergen County Police and Fire academy within six (6) months of Mayor and Council approval.
2. A probationary member is not obligated to pay dues, pay fines, vote, hold office, nor drive the apparatus.
3. A probationary member will become a regular member, if an opening exists and if passed by the members, at least six (6) months after elected as a probationary member by the Mayor and Council if having successfully completed Firefighter 1 Course.
4. Before a probationary member is elected to regular membership status, the Investigation Committee must re investigate the applicant and report at the next meeting.
5. At any time, if a regular member feels that a probationary member is not conducting himself in a responsible manner, a Company vote for termination of waiting member status may be requested.
6. The least Senior member shall hold the position of Secretary unless at the time of nominations another member accepts the nomination of Secretary and is elected.
R. All members out on medical leave are required to provide a note from a physician relieving the member from active duty every 90 days. If the physicians note is not provided as required, the member will be classified as a "non-cooperating member", and will be subject to a fine as declared in Article 23 of these by-laws. The member must be provided with a letter notifying the member of the Companies intent to institute a "non-cooperating member fine. The fine will take effect 1 day after the member receives the letter of intent and will end on the day the physician's note is received by the Captain.
Article 9: Officers
A. The officers of Bergen Engine Company #1 shall consist of the following :
Line - Captain, First Lieutenant, Second Lieutenant;
Business - Secretary, Treasurer, Quarter Master and Mechanic.
Article 10: Election of Officers
A. Nominations for Officers shall be made at the September meeting. Nominations will be made from the floor and closed.
B. Elections of Officers will be held at the annual meeting in October. Voting will be by secret ballot unless there is not contest for an office, then the Secretary may cast one (1) vote for the office.
C. Elected Officers will assume office under new business at the January meeting and shall hold office for one (1) year or until their successors have been sworn in to office.
D. Any member seeking election of Line Officer must first have served one (1) as Secretary, Mechanic or Treasurer or have been a member of Bergen Engine Company #1 for at least five (5) years.
Article 11: Duties of Captain
A. The Captain is the chief line officer of the Company at all fires and emergencies, and is in command of the Company whenever it is called in service.
B. The Captain shall be responsible for the maintenance of the apparatus and equipment, so it is ready for all calls; and may designate whoever is qualified to perform such maintenance.
C. The Captain shall see that all members properly execute their duties; and shall excuse members from duty when deemed necessary, as well as, obtain the Companies dismissal from duty as soon as practical.
D. The Captain has the authority to relieve any member of fire duty and have him removed from the fire scene if necessary.
E. The Captain shall report violations of the by-laws or disobedience of orders at the next regular meeting of the Company.
Article 12: Duties of 1st Lieutenant
A. The First Lieutenant shall assist the Captain at all times and in the absence of the Captain, shall assume command and discharge all the duties of the Captain.
B. The First Lieutenant has the Authority to relieve any member of fire duty and have him removed from the fire scene if necessary.
C. The First Lieutenant shall make a report to the Company of all changes of equipment on the apparatus at each monthly meeting.
Article 13: Duties of Second Lieutenant
A. The Second Lieutenant shall assist the Captain and the First Lieutenant at all times and in the absence of both the Captain and the First Lieutenant, shall assume command and discharge all the duties of the Captain.
B. The Second Lieutenant has the Authority to relieve any member of fire duty and have him removed from the fire scene if necessary.
C. The Second Lieutenant shall maintain proper working conditions of all Scott Air Packs and report any malfunction to the mechanic.
Article 14: Duties of Secretary
A. The Secretary shall record the proceedings of all meetings and maintain a record of all minutes.
B. The Secretary shall notify all members of Special meetings at least forty-eight (48) hours prior to such meetings.
C. The Secretary shall maintain a file of all Company papers and must notify in writing all essential Department Officials of Company Business related to the Department.
D. The Secretary shall correspond with all correspondence addressed to Bergen Engine Company #1 as directed by the membership, as well as any matters necessary for the proper continuance of the Company.
Article 15: Duties of Treasurer
A. The Treasurer shall collect all dues and fines and report the delinquent members in the payment of their dues and fines.
B. The Treasurer shall keep an account of all receipts and disbursements, and pay all bills passed by the Company by check which must be signed by the Captain and Treasurer.
C. The Treasurer shall report monthly on the savings account balance.
D. The Treasurer shall maintain the roll-call of all members.
E. The Treasurer shall be responsible for all Company moneys.
Article 16. Duties of Mechanic
A. The Mechanic shall maintain the apparatus and it's equipment in good working condition and ready to roll, in any weather.
B. The Mechanic must report to the Captain any mechanical repairs needed on the apparatus and issue a monthly report of the condition of the apparatus.
C. The Mechanic shall instruct all prospective drivers in the proper operation of the apparatus and be responsible for their continued qualification.
Article 17: Duties of Quartermaster
A.The Quartermaster shall make a report to the company of all changes of equipment on the apparatus at each meeting.
B. The Quartermaster shall make sure all equipment on the apparatus is in good working order and notify the Captain of any damaged or missing equipment.
Article 18: Driver/Pump Operator Qualifications
A. All driver/pump operators must be licensed drivers by the state of New Jersey.
B. All driver/pump operators must be trained by the mechanic on the proper operation of the apparatus as well as the proper operation of the pump, and be approved by the Captain upon recommendation of the Mechanic.
C. All perspective driver/pump operators shall satisfactorily complete a certified pump operator course.
Article 19: Duties of Driver/Pump Operator
A. All driver/pump operators will practice at all times the rules of safety in the operation of the apparatus. Safety is of the utmost importance.
B. The driver/pump operator is responsible for the return of all borrowed equipment taken from the apparatus at the scene of a fire.
C. Upon returning to Headquarters, the driver/pump operator shall make sure that the fuel tank is full, the booster tank is full and the pump greased if used.
D. Each driver/pump operator will be subject to an annual review of the qualifications.
Article 20: Honorary Members
A: All candidates for Honorary membership shall be proposed by a
regular member at a regular meeting of the Company and approved by a
majority of the members present.
B: Candidates must be either a former member of BERGEN
ENGINE COMPANY # 1 who has not reached retirement status or a
social member that has given exemplary service to the company.
C: Honorary members shall be entitled to all social privileges that will
include
all privileges of an active member except firematic duty, voting and holding
any office. Honorary members are not subject to pay dues. Retired members
of Bergen Engine Company # 1 shall automatically become
an Honorary member.
Article 21: Social Members:
A: All candidates for Social membership shall be proposed by a
regular member at a regular meeting of the Company and approved by a
majority of the members present.
B: This member may be selected because they have assisted, supported
or given exemplary service to the Company.
C: Social members shall be entitled to attend all social activities at there
own expense. Social members must attend 1 meeting a year. Failure to attend
without a written excuse shall be grounds for expulsion.
D: Social members are not entitled to hold office or vote.
Social members are required to pay dues equal to half of a regular members
dues.
Article 22: Standing Committees
A. Finance Committee shall consist of two (2) members, they shall be appointed by the Captain at the January meeting and shall audit the books of the Treasurer twice a year and submit a report at the January and July meetings.
B. Investigating Committee shall consist of three (3) Line Officers and they shall assume their duties as of the January meeting, they shall investigate the intentions of new applicants and submit a report in writing at the next regular meeting, and re interview waiting members before they apply for regular membership status.
C. Good and Welfare Committee shall consist of three (3) members, they shall be appointed by the Captain at the January meeting, who shall send an appropriate gift to any member or spouse who is hospitalized. In the event of the death of a member, member's spouse, mother, father, or children, the committee shall send a gift in the Companies name.
Article 23: Practices
A. The first and third Fridays of each month shall be designated as practice nights.
B. All members shall attend both practices during each month.