SENATE LAW AND PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

SENATE, No. 3277

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  MAY 20, 2021

      The Senate Law and Public Safety Committee reports favorably Senate Bill No. 3277.

      As reported by the committee, this bill would increase, from 45 to 57, the maximum eligibility age for exempt fireman certificates and membership in the New Jersey State Firemen’s Association.  In addition, the bill allows the New Jersey State Exempt Firemen’s Association to determine the percentage of service necessary to issue an exempt fireman certificate. 

      Under current law, a firefighter is required to join the fire service between the ages of 18 and 45 in order to be eligible for an exempt fireman certificate.  The bill increases the maximum age at which firefighters are eligible for an exempt certificate to 57 years old. 

      Current law also provides that exempt fireman certificates are issued to eligible firefighters who have responded to at least 60 percent of their department’s fire duty calls over a seven-year period. The bill would allow the New Jersey State Exempt Firemen’s Association to determine after January 1, 2020 the percentage of fire duty calls to which a firefighter is required to respond in order to receive an exempt fireman certificate. 

      Under current law, a firefighter is required to be 45 years of age at the time of joining the fire engine, hook and ladder, hose and supply company, fire association or fire department, or board of firewardens in order to be eligible for membership in the New Jersey State Firemen’s Association.  Under the provisions of this bill, a firefighter is required to be 57 years of age at the time of joining the New Jersey State Firemen’s Association in order to be eligible for membership in the New Jersey State Firemen’s Association.

      As reported by the committee, Senate Bill No. 3277 is identical to Assembly Bill No. 4745 (1R), which also was reported by the committee on this same date.