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Council discusses changing fire‑department rules to allow officers to serve elsewhere; chief invited back
Summary
Council discussed proposed amendments to permit borough fire officers to hold similar officer roles in other municipalities to address volunteer shortages; council asked the chief for activity data and tabled formal action for two weeks.
Councilwoman Massaro reopened discussion on proposed Old Tappan Fire Department (OTFD) ordinance amendments that would allow borough fire officers (lieutenants, captains, deputies, and chief) to hold similar officer positions in other municipalities.
Massaro said the proposal responds to “shrinking numbers in volunteerism” and the prospect of attracting candidates who serve professionally elsewhere but want to volunteer locally. She asked the council to review activity/call data before any change and requested that the chief or deputy appear at the next meeting to answer operational and insurance questions.
Council members raised practical concerns about mutual-aid responses and who would cover if an officer is injured while responding with another department. One member asked whether the ordinance text refers specifically to volunteering for another department and emphasized updating language to protect officers and the borough. The council agreed to add the topic to old business in two weeks and to request the chief’s data and recommendations prior to any formal amendment.
Why it matters: the change is intended to address volunteer recruitment and retention while protecting response integrity and liability; the council asked staff and the chief for data before considering a formal ordinance change.
