Name change reflects expanded duties of department
JAY – Firefighters have mission is to protect life, property and the environment in a safe and professional manner. They also have a new name here: Jay Fire Rescue Department.
The name reflects the department’s broader duties, including extricating people trapped in a crashed vehicle.
Selectmen approved the department’s new bylaws, which include the change of name, how officers are appointed, duties and discipline procedures.
The bylaws limit membership to 60, including junior members between 16 and 18, and probationary members.
The department consists of a fire chief, deputy chief, two assistant chiefs – one from each station and the same for two captains – a safety officer and training coordinator.
The chief and deputy chief, with the town manager’s approval, will appoint all other officers.
A hiring committee will oversee preparations for the process to hire the chief and deputy chief, including collection of applications. The committee will consist of the town manager, one selectman, one third party chief chosen by the town manager, and one member from each fire station chosen by the department membership.
Qualifications for the chief include 10 years in fire or fire and rescue experience combined and one year on the Jay department. A deputy chief needs eight years experience, two years as an officer and one year with the department. Assistant chiefs need six years experience and attained several classifications, including incident command system and firefighter I. Captains, the safety officer and the training officer need four years experience and must have obtained classification of firefighter I among other training.
New members will be hired by the officers. Those denied memberships have the right to appeal to the town manager within 10 days.
The bylaws also outline personal conduct and discipline. It also prohibits call-out responses from firefighters who consumed enough alcohol to impact their performance or would cause their blood alcohol level to exceed .04, or if they used controlled substances, regardless of the type of call. Violation will result in dismissal form the department. Any member aiding, abetting, or concealing this violation by another member will also be considered in violation of this policy and will also be disciplined.
Members of the department approved the bylaws before they went to selectmen.
dperry@sunjournal.com
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