40A:14-98. a. (1) The Commissioner of Community Affairs shall adopt rules to govern the training of Junior Firefighters’ Auxiliary members and to establish the duties that auxiliary members may perform at training events and emergency incidents. The rules shall allow auxiliary members, who are 16 years of age or older, to fully participate in recruit firefighter training established by regulations adopted by the commissioner.

(2) The governing body of the municipality, board of commissioners of the fire district, regional authority, or county board of chosen freeholders, before authorizing the establishment of any Junior Firefighters’ Auxiliary, shall formulate rules and regulations to govern the activities of the auxiliary in accordance with regulations adopted by the commissioner pursuant to paragraph (1) of this subsection. The rules and regulations shall provide for the training of the auxiliary for eventual membership in the fire department of the municipality, fire district, regional authority, or county or in any fire company affording fire protection therein.

b. If the governing body, board of commissioners, regional authority, or county board of chosen freeholders, as the case may be, provides in the rules and regulations governing the auxiliary that a junior firefighter 16 years of age or older may perform the duties established by the commissioner pursuant to paragraph (1) of subsection a. of this section at training events and emergency incidents, the junior firefighter may perform these duties only if:

(1) the junior firefighter has been appropriately and adequately trained to perform the duties;

(2) the junior firefighter is appropriately and adequately supervised in performing those duties at the training event or emergency incident;

(3) the junior firefighter’s parents or guardian has provided written permission allowing the junior firefighter to perform those duties; and

(4) the governing body, board of commissioners, regional authority, or county board of chosen freeholders, as the case may be, provides a minimum amount of workers’ compensation insurance for the junior firefighter.

c. Activities of junior firefighter auxiliary members under 16 years of age shall be limited to:

(1) attending meetings of the Junior Firefighters’ Auxiliary;

(2) receiving instruction;

(3) participating in training as established by regulations adopted by the commissioner that does not involve fire, smoke, toxic or noxious gas, or hazardous materials or substances; and

(4) observing firefighting activities, while under supervision.

amended 1999, c.318, s.2; 2011, c.56, s.1; 2020, c.126, s.4.