(A) The Fire Chief shall appoint no more than 25 members for each Fire Department Company subject to the review and approval of the Governing Body. All vacancies shall be filled in this manner. The members shall be considered to be employees of the municipality for the purpose of providing them with workers' compensation and other benefits. Each member shall be entitled to a term life insurance policy in the amount of at least $5,000 for death from any cause to age 65 and the policy shall, at the option of the individual firefighter, be convertible to a permanent form of life insurance at age 65; provided, that the firefighter covered is actively and faithfully performing the duties of his or her position. The Fire Department shall consist of so many members as may be decided by the Governing Body. The members may organize themselves in any way they may decide, subject to the review of the Governing Body. They may hold meetings and engage in social activities with the approval of the Governing Body. The Secretary shall upon request keep a record of all meetings and shall make a report to the Governing Body of all meetings and activities of the Fire Department. The Governing Body may, for services rendered, compensate or reward any member or members of the Fire Department in an amount set by resolution. All members of the Fire Department shall be subject to such rules and regulations, and shall perform such duties, as may be prescribed or required of them by the Fire Chief or the Governing Body. The members of the Fire Department shall, during the time of a fire or great public danger, have and exercise the powers and duties of police officers and shall have full power and authority to arrest all persons guilty of any violation of the municipal code, or the laws of the State of Nebraska.
(B) Provided, however, volunteer firefighters and rescue squad members testifying as a witness in connection with their officially assigned duties in that capacity alone shall not be deemed employees of the State of Nebraska or of the municipality.
(1990 Code, § 3-403)
Statutory reference:
Related state law provisions, see Neb. RS 33-139.01, 35-101 through 35-103, 35-108