2.70.020 Membership.
(1) To be a member of the department, a person shall:
(a) Be determined by the chief to be physically fit to perform assigned duties; and
(b) Be available to serve the department; and
(c) Be 16 years of age or older; and
(d) Submit to a criminal background check as provided by the town; and
(e) Serve a six-month probationary period during which the chief may terminate the individual at any time for any reason after confirmation by the mayor; and
(f) Be accepted for membership by a majority vote of the department membership, after successful completion of the mandatory six-month probationary period after confirmation by the mayor.
(g) Nothing herein shall preclude the designation of youths between the ages of 16 and 18 years of age as members for the purposes of educating them in the science of fire suppression, first aid, and related public safety subjects. Any youths so affiliated with the department will require written approval of a parent or guardian, be subject to department procedures, and follow all applicable laws regulating the training or employment of minors.
(2) Membership in the department is voluntary. Each member, as a condition of becoming a member, accepts all department procedures and practices. Each member shall be provided a copy of the department standard operating procedures and shall sign a form documenting that he or she has been provided such copy.
(3) Each member shall receive a copy of the town employee handbook and shall comply with applicable town policies and procedures, set forth in Chapter 2.55 CMC.
(4) Each member shall attend all training sessions, drills, and departmental meetings, unless excused by the chief.
(5) Each new member shall complete a driving record certification form and provide a copy of his or her driver’s license annually. The town shall inspect each member’s driving record certification and a copy of the member’s license on a staggered three-, four-, and five-year cycle. Members shall disclose to the chief all traffic accidents, citations and arrests occurring on or off duty. The chief shall determine if training or discipline is needed. Failure to self-report to the chief shall be grounds for adverse action.
(6) Each member shall conform to the town’s drug-free workplace policy, and submit to such tests as the town may reasonably require to ensure compliance.
(7) No member shall operate any department vehicle or apparatus without:
(a) A valid driver’s license, including any relevant driver’s license endorsement(s); and
(b) An acceptable driving record; and
(c) Having attained at least the age of 18 years unless waived by the chief; and
(d) Having demonstrated training and proficiency needed to operate the vehicle or apparatus to the satisfaction of the chief or designated officer.
(8) Each member shall be issued a badge or other identification designating the member’s rank. (Ord. 548 § 3, 2012)