Updated Bylaws 2020

The Company shall be comprised of active, life and honorary members. An active member shall be one who has been elected by the membership and listed on the roll of the Company. 

Active members of the Company shall be classified as Firefighter (FF), EMS/Firefighter (EMS/FF), or Emergency Medical Services (EMS) members. 

An EMS member shall be a special type of active member of the company having the same duties and privileges as all active members except as may be limited or redefined in these Bylaws. EMS members shall be assigned to a special unit of the Company called the Fire/Medic Unit. Following their successful completion of the probationary period, EMS members must continue to possess a minimum EMT certification to remain in the Fire/Medic Unit. EMS members will have one (1) year from the expiration date of their EMT certification to renew their certification or obtain the minimum certification of EMT. The Chief may extend this period to a maximum (18) month due to course scheduling, availability, or student attendance difficulties. 

EMS/FF members are members who possess an EMS certification and perform both firematic duties and EMS duties but are not members of the Fire/Medic Unit. However, they will respond with the Fire/Medic Unit. 

Firefighter members are members who perform firematic duties. However, they will respond, as required by the Officer in Charge to assist, or otherwise work with the EMS personnel. 

An honorary member shall be a former active member who has faithfully served ten (10) years in the Company; he may attend meetings but not be entitled to a voice or vote. 

A life member shall be an active member with a minimum of twenty-five (25) years of service or a member who is an ex-chief with 20 years of service. 

The active membership of the Company shall not exceed one hundred (100) members. Seventy-Five (75) shall be Firefighter and Firefighter/EMS members and twenty-five (25) members shall be EMS members assigned to the Fire/Medic Unit. 

An applicant for membership shall be required to have the following qualifications: he/she must be a legal resident of the United States; not under seventeen (17) years of age, of good moral character; be proposed by one member in good standing or noted as a “walk in” or internet applicant; must have resided or worked in the Fire District for at least sixty (60) day immediately preceding the date of application, excepting transfers from other volunteer fire companies who will have no length of residency requirements, but must submit a letter from his former company or department attesting to his being a capable fireman; and must present a doctor’s certificate showing physical fitness. 

All applicants for membership who have not attained the age of twenty-one (21) years shall be required to furnish the Company with a release of liability from their parents or guardians. 

An initiation fee of $5.00 shall accompany each application for membership, to be returned if the applicant is rejected. Any applicant who is rejected for membership must wait for a period of six (6) months from the date of rejection before re-applying for membership in this company. 

Any member who is a student in high school may not leave school to attend any alarm. Any non-resident, who has a full time job within the fire district, must maintain full time status at that job or he/she will be dropped from the rolls. A person who lives in a fire district or fire protection district that is adjacent to Oyster Bay Fire Protection District may apply for membership in Oyster Bay Fire Company #1. 

All candidates for membership shall be publicly proposed at a regular meeting and the Chief shall appoint an investigation committee of three (3). This committee shall report at the next regular meeting, and the Company shall vote on the candidate. The election shall be by ballot and approval by a majority of the members present shall be necessary for acceptance. If any fact on said application is found to be in error or misrepresented by the applicant, then that application will be considered void and not presented to the Company for voting. 

Any firefighter applicant who shall have been accepted as an active probationary member shall first serve a period of two year probation, and in that two year period must attend the following courses as per the Nassau County Fire Service Academy: Essentials of Firefighting, and Primary Training. These courses will count towards the members 12 sessions as described in the Article II Section 11. In the event that the Member completes his/her required training prior to the end of the two year probation, he/she will be eligible to be removed from probation by the Chiefs Office. However, the Member must serve a minimum of one year probation. 

EMS probationary members shall serve a one-year probationary period and must attain a minimum certification of EMT before being eligible to be removed from probationary status. The Chiefs may grant extensions of this one (1) year period if deemed necessary due to course scheduling, availability, or student attendance difficulties. In addition to EMT Certification, EMS probationary members will complete the same minimum training as non- EMS probationary members except attendance at the probationary actual firefighting course at the Nassau County Fire Service Academy. In place of the actual firefighting courses, EMS probationary members will attend four (4) two (2) hour EMS probationary training sessions to be designed by the Chiefs. EMS probationary members can satisfy the above four (4) training sessions by attending the EMT course. EMS probationary members will receive company training on all company apparatus and equipment for familiarization and recognition purposes. 

At the expiration of the probationary period, the Chiefs shall review the record of the member and they shall recommend to the Company whether he should be continued as an active member or dropped from the roll. Any applicant who shall be accepted as an active probationary member, who has satisfactorily completed the probationary requirements of a previous fire company or department, to which he belonged, shall be exempt from probationary requirements, but must still serve the one (1) year period of probation as deemed by the previous paragraph. The applicant’s previous record must be verifiable. 

Any probationary member accepted into the company AFTER January 1, 2011, shall NOT participate in any extracurricular activities ( Bowling, Golf, Softball, Drill Team) until the following criteria is met: 

Fire Personnel: All required County schools such as Primary, Essentials, and any future class made mandatory by the Nassau County Fire Service Academy subsequent to the passing of this by-law shall apply. The member must be enrolled in the course, during or prior to participating in an extracurricular event. Special circumstances such as course availability will also apply. In the event that the member “drops out” or does not attend – the said member will not be permitted to participate in such activities until he/she has been reinstated into a class. 

EMS Personnel: The EMS member must be enrolled in an EMT-B program during or prior to participating in an extracurricular event. Special circumstances such as course availability will apply. In the event that the member “drops out” or does not attend – the said member will not be permitted to participate in such activities until he/she has been reinstated into a class. 

Probationary members who have prior time from other departments who have already completed the above, and have the proper documentation shall be exempt from this requirement. 

Any probationary member accepted in the company after January 1st 2011, may not vote on any motion, make or second any motion, nor vote in any Company election for a period of the first 6 months of their probationary period. 

A member of the Company in good standing may resign by submitting his resignation in writing. Said resignation shall be noted in the minutes of the first regular meeting following its receipt, and may be rejected by the Company. No member may resign while charges are pending against him. Any member who moves to a residence beyond the boundaries of the Oyster Bay Fire Protection District shall be dropped from membership in the Company, except where approval is granted for continuation of membership under either of the following paragraphs: 

A) A member moving to a residence within one (1) mile of the existing Fire Protection District boundary may submit a written request to remain on the active roll prior to moving. Such request shall be reviewed by the Board of Directors and their recommendation shall be reported back to the membership at the next regular meeting of the Company for approval or disapproval. 

B) A member moving to a residence beyond one (1) mile from the existing Fire Protection District boundary may submit a written request to remain on the active rolls prior to moving provided such member has, at the time of submission of such request, achieved the minimum point requirement set forth under other provisions of these by-laws. Such requests shall be reviewed by the Board of Directors and their recommendation shall be reported back to the membership at the next regular meeting of the Company for approval or disapproval. 

C) In the event any request is approved, such approval shall be subject to such member maintaining the minimum point requirements yearly. Upon failure to achieve and maintain the minimum point requirement under company by-laws, such member shall be dropped from membership in the Company. 

D) In no event, at any given time, shall there be more than six members among the active membership who are non-residents as described herein. Non-resident members removed from active membership under this section who have attained the required amount of service may be placed on the honorary list. 

E) Any honorary member may submit a request to be reinstated to the active roll of the Company under the provisions of this section. Honorary members requesting reinstatement under this paragraph shall also satisfy the other requirements of this section. 

F) In no event, at any given time, shall a non-resident member residing beyond one (1) mile from the existing Fire Protection District boundary be eligible to hold a line office in the Company. 

G) Members who work regularly in the Fire Protection District but do not reside therein shall not be subject to this section. 

Any honorary member who wishes to return to active status must submit a request to the Company in writing he will be required to pass a physical exam administered by the Company physician. The request will be turned over to an investigating committee comprised of the three present Chiefs to review his past performance and to make a recommendation for readmission by the next regular meeting. The request will be voted upon by ballot vote and must be approved by a majority of the members present and voting under the order of business “proposal of candidates for membership”. All honorary members’ requests for reinstatement to active status will have priority over new candidates. 

The provisions of this section shall become effective only upon adoption of this section according to the provision relating thereto, and shall not be retroactive in effect. 

Any former member who had completed less than ten (10) years of active service in this Fire Company, upon reinstatement shall have his active time returned. Such returned time will be effective for all provisions of these by-laws. 

Life members shall be afforded all the privileges and benefits of an active member. 

All active members who have served faithfully for five (5) consecutive years shall be presented with an exemption certificate at the first regular meeting following completion of the required continuous term of service. All active members who have faithfully served for twenty (20) years shall be presented with a distinctive badge and for each five- (5) years of service thereafter they shall be presented with a badge to denote the additional period of service. 

It shall be the duty of each member to attend at least one (1) of every three (3) regular meetings; to respond to all alarms whenever possible; to aid and assist the officers in carrying out the purpose for which this Company is organized; to serve faithfully on committees, and to attend all other calls of the Company whenever possible. Life members shall be exempt from the requirements of this paragraph, but shall be required to make one meeting in a calendar year to maintain their active status without additional service credit. A Life member who attends a minimum of four (4) meetings per year shall receive credit for a year of service in the company. 

Each active member shall receive a uniform from the Company and shall be liable for all loss or damage to the uniform or any part thereof, except for ordinary wear and tear. 

Members responding to an alarm when activated shall assist in conveying the apparatus to the place of an emergency and do all in their power, under direction of the Officers, to extinguish the fire and aid in preserving life and property; when the alarm is completed, members shall aid in returning the apparatus to the firehouse unless excused by the Officer in charge. Before the roll is called the Officer in charge shall see that the apparatus is thoroughly cleansed and inspected after it is returned to the firehouse and left ready for the next alarm. 

PERCENTAGE POINT SYSTEM 

It shall be the duty of each active member to achieve the following minimum percentage of activities annually based upon his/her number of years of service as of December 31. 

Any member that makes his/her required percentage for the year or are within 5% of their requirement shall receive 1 (one) year of service. Any member making a minimum of 50% up to within 5% of his/her yearly required percentage points shall receive ½ (one half) year of service. Any member not making a minimum of 50% of his/her required yearly points shall not receive credit for that year. 

The exception to this by-law shall be any member who has had a leave of absence as per article II section 12. In such cases the member(s) chargeable events shall be prorated to reflect time not on leave. 

Any member who fails to achieve their required percentage three (3) consecutive years in a row shall be dropped from the rolls of the company as of January 1st the following year. Members who are eligible to be placed on the “Honorary List” shall be placed “Honorary” but shall not be permitted to return to “Active” for three (3) years. The Chiefs shall take into account reasons for lack of percentage such as: leave of absence, medical leave, or other excusal that was documented and approved by the Chief of Department. 

0 – 5 years inclusive 45%
6 -10 years inclusive 40%
11-15 years inclusive 35%
16-20 years inclusive 30%
21-25 years inclusive 25%
26-30 years inclusive 20%
31-35 years inclusive 15%
over 35 years No minimum requirement

Notwithstanding any other requirements, members of the Fire/Medic Unit shall attend the following number of signal 9s:

0-5 years inclusive 30%
6-10 years inclusive 25%
over 10 years 20%

A) Activities shall be defined in two (2) categories:

1. Firematic activities
2. Fire-Medic Activities
3. Activities receiving bonus points

B) FIREMATIC ACTIVITIES – The following activities shall be charged as firematic activities to all members, except the fire medic unit:

1. Each general alarm sounded
2. Each regular meeting
3. Each special meeting
4. Each fire school (County and Company)
5. Each call of the Company parade
6. Each call of the Company Wake or Funeral
7. Each call of the Company Clean up
8. Ambulance calls (one (1) round of the whistles) shall not be counted as firematic activities to all members generally. However, members answering such alarms shall receive credit for responding and they shall also be included as an activity in determining their firematic percentage.

C) FIRE-MEDIC ACTIVITIES – the following activities shall be charged as chargeable activities to the Fire-Medic Members: 

a. Each Ambulance call (one (1) round of the whistles) 
b. Each regular company meeting. 
c. Each special company meeting 
d. Each EMS training session and meeting 
e. Each fire school where Fire-Medics are directed to attend 
f. Each call of the company parade 
g. Each call of the company wake or funeral 
h. Each call of the company clean up 
i. General Alarms shall not be counted as a chargeable activity to the Fire-Medic members, generally. However, general alarms for a confirmed building fire, auto accidents, CO alarms and rescue call will be chargeable activities and unit members will respond. Fire-Medics members answering other general alarms shall receive credit for responding and they shall also be included as an activity in determining their percentage. 

D) BONUS POINT ACTIVITIES – The following activities shall receive the percentage points indicated and they shall be added to each member’s annual firematic percentage to arrive at his total annual percentage of activities. These points will be given only at the end of the year. 

1. Attendance at all other calls of the Company not mentioned above and any other activity so designated by the officers shall receive an additional one-half (1/2) of a percentage point. 
2. Committee work shall not automatically receive credit in the system. The officers shall designate any committee work, which, in their opinion, warrants such recognition and those men shall receive a minimum of one-half (1/2 of a percentage point but not more than two (2) percentage points for each committee. 

E) The following members shall annually receive the additional percentage points indicated in recognition of duties performed, provided the duty is performed: 

1. Current Officers 5 Percentage Points 
2. Ex Chiefs 5 Percentage Points 
3. Current AEMT’s 4 Percentage Points 
4. Chief Engineer and Assistants 2 Percentage Points 
5. Current EMT’s 2 Percentage Points 
6. Delegates and Alternates to Firematic Org. and Conventions 1 Percentage Point 
7. Past Presidents 5 Percentage Points 
8. Department Chauffeur 3 Percentage Points (Qualified Operator of all Department Emergency Equipment) 

F) The percentage point system shall cover the period from January 1 to December 31 annually. It shall be reviewed quarterly by the Chiefs. Members who are lax will be notified of such to enable them to improve their record before year-end. 

G) The responsibility for maintaining the point system shall be the duty of the First Assistant Chief and the Financial Secretary. They will post the firematic percentage of each member monthly in the firehouse on the approved form(s).

H) 1. Members responding to alarms between the hours of 11 P.M. and 7 A.M. will receive credit for attendance at two (2) alarms but be charged with one (1).

2. For every ambulance alarm and auto accident alarm, members who respond and transport to the hospital on the ambulance will receive credit for attendance at two (2) alarms but be charged for one (1).

I) Any member having belonged to any volunteer fire company or department whose active record can be verified by the Chief will receive up to ten (10) years credit in this Fire Company on a year for year basis. This credit will be effective for the point system and fire schools, not for time of service or for election purposes in this Fire Company.

Life members shall be exempt from the percentage point system.

Members unable to attend any call of the Company, including meetings, shall be required to submit a written excuse to the Chief otherwise no excuse will be given. The Chief shall have the authority to excuse members from attendance at firematic training sessions provided a written excuse is submitted. 

A) On-Duty Medical Leave 

An active member with an on-duty illness or injury, upon notifying the Chief will be placed on an on-duty medical leave. Members with this type of leave are not permitted to respond to or participate in alarms, standbys or non-classroom training sessions. This on-duty illness or injury medical leave shall be considered active time in the Company and this time can be used for running for office, honorary membership, life membership, etc. 

In the event that the member had not returned to full duty in six months, the member will meet with the company physician who will make a determination, while consulting with the member’s physician, as to returning the member to full duty or continuing with medical leave. 

In the even that the member continues with medical leave, every six months thereafter, the member will meet with the company physician who will make a determination, while consulting with the member’s physician, as to returning the member to full duty or continuing with medical leave.

B) Off-Duty Medical Leave

An active member may request an off-duty medical leave from the Company for any off duty illness at any time by submitting a written request with an accompanying letter from his/her physician explaining that their current medical condition renders them incapable of performing his/her duties. In the letter, the physician must include an approximate date of return. The member, if capable, will continue to attend meetings and is eligible to attend social functions. In the event the off duty illness or injury is job related to the member, (ie: workers compensation case) the member shall participate in activities as determined by the Company Physician. To return to full duty, the member must submit a written request with a clearance letter from his/her physician.

In the event that the member had not returned to full duty in 120 days, the member will meet with the company physician who will make a determination, while consulting with the member’s physician, as to returning the member to full duty or continuing with medical leave. At the discretion of the Chief, the member may be required to visit with the department physician at any time.

In the event that the member continues with medical leave, every 90 days thereafter, the member will meet with the company physician who will make a determination, while consulting with the member’s physician, as to returning the member to full duty or continuing with medical leave.

This off-duty illness or injury medical leave shall be considered active time in the Company and this time can be used for running for office, honorary membership, life membership, etc.

C) Maternity Leave

An active member may request a maternity leave from the Company at any time by submitting a written request to the Chief. The member will continue to attend meetings and is eligible to attend social functions. The maternity leave will conclude ninety days after giving birth. At that time, the member will submit a clearance letter from her physician or the company physician, stating she is capable of resuming full duties. A member, after giving birth, may return to duty prior to the ninety days by submitting a clearance letter from her physician. Failure to return to the active rolls or be granted another approved leave, the member will be dropped from the rolls. A maternity leave shall be considered active time in the company, and this time can be used for running for office, honorary membership, life membership, etc.

A member who’s wife or significant other is pregnant or has already given birth, may request a 90 day leave of absence at any time during the pregnancy or up to 90 days after the birth of the child.

D) Personal Leave

An active member may request a personal leave from the company at any time by submitting a written request to the office of the three Chiefs for their approval, as long as the member’s points are up to date and there are no charges pending against the member, at which time a three month leave of absence can be granted. If refused, a member may appeal to the Board of Ex-Chiefs. A member may return prior to the completion of the three months by submitting a written request to the Chief.

An extension of personal leave can be permitted when a written request for an extension is submitted to the office of the three Chiefs for their approval. Personal leave will be granted in three month extensions, not to exceed six months.

Personal leave shall be considered active time in the Company, and this time can be used for running for office, honorary membership, life membership, etc.

An active member may request a 90 day leave of absence which will be automatically grated. This leave shall not be considered active time in the Company and this time can not be used for running for office, honorary membership, life membership, etc.

E) College Excuse

An active member may request a college excuse from the Company my submitting a written request to be approved by the three Chiefs. This request may be granted for up to five years to permit the member to attend college.

The member will be expected to attend all firematic activities when not at college. Upon completion of a calendar year, if the member meets his/hers requirements of the point system, the member will be granted one year of service. If the member does not meet the requirements of the points system, but attains 50% of his/her requirement, the member will be granted six months of service. If the member attains less than 50% of his/hers requirement of the point system, credit will not be given. The member may cancel the college excuse by submitting a written request to the Chief.

A) All active members shall be required to attend the following minimum number of fire schools per year based upon their years of active service as of December 31st. The Company shall provide a minimum of twenty-four (24) training sessions a year. These will include both County and Company conducted classes. Life members shall not be required to attend any sessions. 

EMS/Firefighter and Firefighter members with zero (0) to ten (10) years of service inclusive, must attend the required number of sessions of actual firefighting given at the Fire Service Academy equal to one completion card per year. 

EMS members training requirements: 

B) Members attending other training courses or sessions shall receive credit for attending under this section provided one (1) of the following requirements has been satisfied. 

1. Prior approval has been obtained from the Chief or one (1) of his Assistant Chiefs. 
2. The course has been approved by the Officers. 
3. The course has been approved by a majority of the members present at a regular or special meeting. 

C) All of the records of each member will be reviewed by the Chief Officers quarterly. Appropriate actions will be taken by them to ensure the efficient operation of the Company and the proper participation of the members. The records of all probationary members will be subject to review by the Chief Officers at any time during their probationary period. Appropriate actions will be taken by them to ensure that all probationary members are performing all of their duties and responsibilities 

A) Members 0 to 25 years of service are required to make four clean ups. Members 26 to 35 years of services are required to make two clean ups. 
B) Trustees will hold 12 clean ups per year, two of which will be specifically for Memorial Day. 

A) “A member shall be kept on the rolls of the Company for the period he is on active duty in the armed forces of the United States. However the maximum years of credit for service in the Company will not exceed the period of his first enlistment or initial service requirement.” 
B) “Any member upon his discharge from the armed forces of the United States, must within sixty (60) days notify the Company in writing of his intent to return to active service in the Company, or he will be removed from the active rolls.” 

A) An active Firefighter or EMS Firefighter wishing to join the Fire/Medic Unit or a Fire/Medic Unit member wishing to become a Firefighter or EMS/Firefighter shall be permitted to do so provided he/she submits his/her request in writing to the Chief no later than June 1st or December 1st. The member must be in good standing and have satisfied the minimum requirement of the current year as of December 31st as specified in the Bylaws. The Chiefs shall review the request and recommend approval or disapproval to the membership at the June or December Company meeting. A recommendation for disapproval shall require a statement of the reason from the Chiefs. Approval of the Chiefs recommendation by the membership shall require a majority of the vote be cast to pass. The transfer shall be made only during the transfer period, which shall during the month of January or July. Transfer to the Fire/Medic Unit will only be made if it will not exceed the maximum membership in the unit as defined in the Bylaws. Upon transfer, the member will assume the probationary period and requirements for the status to which he or she has transferred to. 

A member in good standing shall be an active member or life member who has made his/her requirements as per the by-laws as of December 31 of the previous year, and is not currently on a full or social suspension. Any member who currently holds an office in the fire company who is placed on suspension, shall be considered a member not in good standing, but shall not be removed from office unless charged and found guilty under Article 5 section 5. A member may return to good standing upon completion of his/her suspension or after fulfilling the requirements set forth by the chief’s office of the Oyster Bay Fire Department. 

No expenditure of money, or contracts to exceed twenty-five dollars ($25.00)(except where otherwise provided by these By-laws) shall be made except on the vote of two-thirds of the members present at a regular meeting. 

No expenditure of money to exceed two thousand five hundred dollars. ($2500.00) shall be made except at a special meeting of the Company with the exception of the normal operation of the Company. 

No expenditure of money to exceed two thousand five hundred dollars. ($2500.00) shall be made except at a special meeting of the Company with the exception of the normal operation of the Company. 

It shall be the duty of the Chairman of every committee handling money of the Company to render a written report thirty (30) days after the purpose for which it was appointed, and any member owing money for same shall be dropped from the rolls and shall not be qualified for reinstatement.