(A) The Department shall consist of not more than 30 active members. The Department may also have inactive, honorary and associate members who will be non-voting and will not participate in any emergency duties.
(B) A person must be at least 21 years of age to become an active member.
(C) A member must live in Hart Township.
(D) Membership is not transferable.
(E) An application for membership shall be submitted in writing to any active member of the Department. The applicant shall appear in person before the membership at the next available opportunity to answer questions or concerns the members might have. The applicant shall leave the room while a secret ballot is taken. If accepted, the applicant will become a probationary member.
(F) The probationary period will be one year from the date the application is accepted. The probationary member must comply with the following provisions:
(1) Complete mandatory 24-hour class;
(2) Attend all scheduled meetings and training sessions;
(3) Assist in all scheduled work sessions;
(4) Receive instruction from a training officer pertaining to the organization; i.e., history, activities, equipment and basic firefighting policies. A probationary member shall not take the seat of any active member on any fire or emergency run and shall not drive any Fire Department vehicle except during training or work details;
(5) Provide own transportation to emergency scene for non-hazardous duty only; and
(6) Division (F)(4) above can be waived at the Chief’s request for a particular piece of equipment if the probationary member passes a check list test on that piece of equipment.
(G) At the end of the probationary period, the member’s record will be reviewed and a secret ballot will be taken to accept him or her into the Department or to dismiss him or her from the Department.
(By-laws, revised 3-24-2010)