N.J. Stat. tit. 15, ch. 8

N.J. Stat. § 15:8-1.1 Arsonists ineligible to be fire fighters

a. A person who is convicted of a violation of subsections a., b., c. or d. of N.J.S. 2C:17-1, concerning arson and arson related offenses, is ineligible for membership in a volunteer fire company. b. A person who is convicted of a violation of N.J.S. 2C:33-3, concerning false public alarms, is ineligible for membership in a volunteer fire company for a period of 10 years from the date of the conviction. c. For the purposes of this act, "membership in a volunteer fire company" means membership in a volunteer fire company organized pursuant to Title 15 of the Revised Statutes or Title 15A of the New Jersey Statutes, membership in a volunteer fire company or similar organization constituted in a fire district pursuant to N.J.S. 40A:14-70.1, membership in a junior firemen's auxiliary established pursuant to N.J.S. 40A:14-95, or nonpaid membership in a part-paid fire department or force established pursuant to chapter 14 of Title 40A of the New Jersey Statutes. L. 1985, c. 323, s. 1, eff. Sept. 17, 1985.

N.J. Stat. § 15:8-4 Appointment of members of volunteer fire company for police duty, certain circumstances

15:8-4. Any duly organized volunteer fire company may provide for the appointment of certain of its members to perform certain police duties at fires and fire drills, for a term of office not exceeding five years from the date of the appointment. The appointed members shall, before entering upon their duties, qualify by: (1) Successfully completing a basic fire police training course formulated or approved by the Division of Fire Safety. (2) Taking and subscribing an oath that they will justly, impartially and faithfully discharge their duties according to the best of their ability and understanding. The oath shall be administered by the municipal clerk and subscribed to in duplicate. The original copy of the oath shall be filed with the municipal clerk and the copy thereof filed with the secretary of the fire company making the appointment. After appointment, a qualified member shall be eligible as a fire police officer and shall have full power and authority to act as a fire police officer anywhere in the county in which he is appointed or in any other county in which he is called upon to act. It shall be the duty of a member of the fire police to perform his duties under the supervision of the fire officer in charge of the fire or fire drill, until the arrival of a duly authorized police officer, who shall assume responsibility for the supervision of the performance of traffic duties, preservation of evidence and all other law enforcement duties. Nothing in this paragraph shall diminish the powers of the chief or other superior officer of any volunteer fire company in the exercise of his duties pursuant to section 1 of P.L.1981, c.435 (C.40A:14-54.1). The duties of said fire police subject to the supervision aforesaid shall be to: (1) Protect property and contents. (2) Establish and maintain fire lines. (3) Perform such traffic duties as necessary, from the fire station to and at the vicinity of the fire, fire drill or other emergency call, until the arrival of a duly authorized police officer or at any public event where fire police services may be requested to protect the public, subject to the approval of and supervision by the chief law enforcement officer of the municipality in which the public event takes place, or the Superintendent of State Police if the municipality does not have a police department. (4) In the absence of investigating authorities, fire police shall investigate all causes of fires and preserve all evidence pertaining to questionable fires and turn evidence over to proper investigating authorities. (5) Wear the authorized fire police badge on the left breast of the outermost garment while on duty. Provided, however, nothing herein contained shall give the fire police or any of them the right to supersede a duly authorized police officer. If any person shall unreasonably refuse to obey the orders of the fire police, a fire police officer may arrest him and keep him under arrest until the fire is extinguished or the drill completed. If the offender is found guilty by a municipal court or Superior Court, he shall be sentenced to pay a fine not exceeding $200 and costs. Amended 1940, c.235; 1947, c.293; 1953, c.15, s.5; 1953, c.292; 1979, c.53; 1991, c.91, s.230; 1998, c.61.

N.J. Stat. § 15:8-5 Exempt certificates issued to certain members on disbandment

Whenever a municipality shall disband any fire, hose, truck or hook and ladder company by reason of establishing a paid fire department, the members in good standing on the rolls of the company, who have served faithfully for three or more years at the time of the disbandment, shall be entitled to "exempt certificates" issued in the same manner as exempt certificates are now issued. All holders of such certificates shall be entitled to all the rights, privileges and exemptions from duties of exempt firemen. This section shall not apply to the members of companies disbanded for insubordination or failure faithfully to perform fire duty.

N.J. Stat. § 15:8-7 Disposition of accumulated fire department fund on expiration of charter

When the volunteer fire department in any city has accumulated or shall accumulate a fire department fund for the benefit of said departments, such funds, on the expiration of the charters of said departments by limitation of law or otherwise, if the department maintains an existence as an exempt fire association, shall revert to and become the property of said exempt association as aforesaid.