The record-union., 1892-02-23
DIVORCE FROM POLITICS.
No Commissioners Nor Politics for the
Fire Department.
Some Stringent Regulations in the New
Charter-How the Fire Depart
ment VIII Be Managed.

AT Saturdays meeting Of the Freehold
ers-there being no quorum present-the
chapter Of the proposed new charter re-
latlng to the government of the Fire De-
partment was considered. Endorsed and
laid over for ratification by the full board.
Last night this was done. 1t is as follows:
Section /. The Mayor shall have super
vision over the Fire Department. and shall
appoint, by and with the consent of the
board OF Trustees, a Chief Engineer, As
slstant Chief Engineer, Superintendent of
the FIRE Alarm System, Engineers of
steam tlre Engines, Drivers, Hosehen
ana all other officers, members and en-
ployes OF the Fire Department and all
ofhcers and members shall retain their
positions during good behavior, unless
removed for cause, or for the improve
nlent OF the public service, as IN this
charter provided. No person shall be APP
pointed to any position in the Fire De-
partment unless he be man of good
moral character, and OF good repute for
honesty and sobriety, citizen OF the
United States, and resident of the city
Tor at least two years next preceding his
appointment. Nor shall any person be
so appointed who has ever been convicted
OF felony, or who is unable to under
standingly read and write the English
language, or who is deficient in strength,
activity and intrepidity; and, except those
IN service in the Fire Department at the
time this charter takes effect, every APP
pOintee hereafter shall be not less than II
years or more than 40 years of age, and
must before being appointed present to
the Mayor certificate from the City
physician that the applicant IS in sound
health and free from any physical dis
ability that would unfit him for such po-
sition.
SaotioY 9 Tho NTovor -, ,,,ol-i,,,r -,
poIntment OF officers, members or en-
ployes OF the Fire Department shall be
guided solely by the fitness of the appli-
cant, and no person shall ever be appointed
10 or removed from any position in the
Fire Department for or on account of par
tizanship, or for or on account of his poIit-
lcaI opinions or affiliations.
Section 3. The Mayor shall exercise
general supervision over the Fire Depart
ment and see that the officers, members
and employees faithfully discharge their
duties, and that the laws, ordinances,
rules and regulations relating thereto are
carried into effect; report to the Board of
trustees any inefiiciency, neglect of duty
or misconduct on the part of any officer,
member or employe in the department
that may come to his knowledge, and he
shall recommend to the board the adop-
ton Of such ordinances, rules and regula-
ions as may be calculated to secure
greater safety to life and property and
improve the discipline and efficiency OF
the Fire Department.
Section 4. The Board of Trustees shall
have full power and authority over the
organization, government and discipline
Of the Fire Department, prescribe the
duties of the officers, members and en-
ployes; prescribe the uniform and badge
OF Office to be worn by them, and shall
have control of all property and equip
ments pertaining to or belonging to the
Fire Department. The said board shall
make all rul9S and regulations necessary
TO secure discipline and efficiency in the
Fire Department, and any officer, mem
Der, or employe in said department guilty
OF violation OF such rules and regulations,
neglect OF duty, disobedience of orders,
absence without leave, or conduct in
furious to the public peace or welfare
immoral conduct or breach of discipline,
shall be liable to punishment by repri-
Inand, dismissal from the department.
forfeiture of pay or the Withholding
thereof, when found guilty of the offense
charged, by the Board of Trustees, upon
trial held for that purpose: provided,
that no more than thirty days pay shall
be forfeited or withheld for one offense;
and, provided further, that by vote of
seven members of the Board of Trustees,
any officer, member, or employee of the
Fire Department may be dismissed at
any time, without trial when in the
or efficiency of the department will be
improved thereby.
Section 5. No officer, member or en-
ploye in the Fire Department shall take
any part whatever in any political caucus
or convention, nor be member of any
political club or committee, or take any
part in any general or primary election.
except to vote; and any officer, mem Der
or emplOye in said department violating
any OF the provisions of this section shall
forfeit his position.
Section s. The Chief Engineer shall be
the executive officer of the Fire Depart
ment, and it shall be his duty and that of
the Assistant Chief Engineer to see that
the laws, orders, rules, regulations and
ordinances concerning the department
are observed and carried into effect. and
he shall also attend to such duties as Fire
Warden as may be prescribed by the
Board of Trustees, and see that all laws.
orders, regulations and ordinances to Sc
cure protection against fire are enforced.
Section Z. The Chief Engineer shall be
responsible for the discipline of all Off
GERS, members or employees of the Fire
Department, and may suspend any Off
Ger, member or employe for incompe-
tency, INSTRUMENTATION, misconduct or
for any violation of the rules and regula-
tons of said department, and shall, upon
such suspension, promptly certify the
fact with the cause thereof in writing tO
WIFI
ing, report the same, together with the
charge preferred, to the Board of Trustees
for their action.
Section s. THE Chief Engineer shall
diligently observe the condition and
workings of all the apparatus in use by
the department.; and report thereon, III
writing, at least once in each month tC
the Board of Trustees, and make sucI
recommendations or suggestions relative
thereto as may TO him seem proper OF
necessary.
Section g. The Chief Engineer shall
make an annual report to the Board o
Trustees on or before the first Monday il
August of each year, showing in detail
the cost of maintenance and operation o
the department, with the casualties, ia
talities and conhagrations which have oc-
Cured, and a statement of supplies anC
apparatus received during the year past
and an inventury of all property of what
ever kind and nature remaining and be
longing to the department, and the eondi
ton thereof together with a list of thu
probable supplies needed by the depart
ment, and an estimate of the amount o
money necessary to meet the expenses o
the Fire Department during the ensuing
year, together with such suggestions anC
recommendations as may seem to hin
proper or expedient for the welfare anC
efficiency of said department.
Section 10. The Board of Trustees shall
furnish the Chief Engineer with a hors,
and buggy, and provide for the keeping
OF same.
Section II. In the absence or inability
OF the Chief, the Assistant Chief Engines
snail attend To and perform all the duties
OF the chief Engineer. The Assistan
Cher Engineer shall have charge of thi
corporation house and custody of al
apparatus, appurtenanceS and supplies
kept thereln, and shall receipt for every