Author: City of Linden

Please fill out the following information to reserve a space in the up-coming Linden Fire Department Junior Fire Academy. Applications do not guarantee participation as spaces are limited. Applications must be filled out in its entirety and submitted no later than May 8, 2026 @ 3:00 PM.

I, the undersigned Parent/Guardian below, residing at the address listed above, do hereby give my child permission to attend the Linden Fire Department Junior Fire Academy and in consideration of allowing him/her to participate in the above named program, I voluntarily and knowingly release and discharge the Junior Fire Academy, Linden Fire Department, City of Linden, facilities managers, and all instructors and participants in this program as well as all others who may be liable from all claims, present and future, known or unknown, in any manner arising out of his/her participation in the Linden Fire Department Junior Fire Academy. Participants will have the opportunity to be physically conditioned, including but not limited to daily physical training, and agility course; tour the Linden Fire Department, Union County Fire Academy and will be viewing demonstrations from city and county assets. Recruits will be transported to the Union County Fire Academy in Linden. Applicants will be held to an understanding of a paramilitary rank structure and the Code of Conduct set by the Linden Fire Department. If at any time a recruit is sick, receives an injury, or will not be participating in a scheduled event, the Linden Fire Department shall be contacted, via the Fire Headquarters main desk at (908) 474-8611, at least two (2) hours prior to the scheduled arrival time so that a report may be filed. Failure to comply may result in discharge of the recruit. This hold harmless agreement is a testament to my understanding of the above evidenced by my signature below.

I grant the Linden Fire Department, its representatives, employees and/or their designee the right to take photographs of me and my property in connection with the Linden Fire Department Junior Fire Academy. I authorize the Linden Fire Department, its assigns and transferees to copyright, use and publish the same in print and/or electronically. I agree that the Linden Fire Department may use such photographs of me with or without my name and for any lawful purpose, including for example such purposes as publicity, illustration, advertising, and Web content.

The undersigned parent/guardian/participant (collectively the "Undersigned”), personally agrees to indemnify and hold harmless, from any and all liability, the County of Union, the Union County Fire Academy, and all of its officers, employees, servants, and agents, for any and all claims, costs and expenses, including reasonable attorney’s fees, resulting from personal injury, or property damage arising from the participant's involvement with event operations at the Union County Fire Academy. The Undersigned, for himself/herself, his/her heirs, executors and administrators, waives, releases and forever discharges any and all rights and claims for damage which he/ she may hereafter accrue arising out of or connected with the participant's involvement in this event. The Undersigned understands there may be physical activity, including participating in fire training exercises and that such activities involve certain risks or personal injury. With the Undersigned's signature on this form, he/she is representing that the participant does not have any health problems or physical limitations that would be affected by participation in such physical activities. The Undersigned understands the event may include a supervised demonstration of a real fire and the techniques used to extinguish the same. By signing this Agreement below, the Undersigned acknowledges and represents he/she has read, understands, and voluntarily signs this Hold Harmless Agreement for full, adequate, and complete consideration fully intending to be bound by the same.

The novel coronavirus, COVID-19, has been declared a worldwide pandemic by the World Health Organization. COVID-19 is extremely contagious and is believed to spread mainly from person-to-person contact. Federal, state, and local governments and federal and state health agencies recommend social distancing and have, in many locations, prohibited the congregation of groups of people. The City of Linden Fire Department has put in place preventative measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19; however, the City of Linden Fire Department cannot guarantee that you or your child(ren) will not become infected with COVID-19. Further, attending the City of Linden Fire Department Jr. Fire Academy could increase your risk and your child(ren)’s risk of contracting COVID-19. By signing this agreement, I acknowledge the contagious nature of COVID-19. By signing this agreement, I acknowledge the contagious nature of COVID-19 and voluntarily assume the risk that my child(ren) and I may be exposed to or infected by COVID-19 by attending the City of Linden Fire Department Jr. Fire Academy and that such exposure or infection may result in personal injury, illness, permanent disability, and death. I understand that the risk of becoming exposed to or infected by COVID-19 at the City of Linden Fire Department Jr. Fire Academy may result from the actions, omissions, or negligence of myself and others, including, but not limited to, City of Linden Fire Department employees, volunteers, and program participants and their families. I voluntarily agree to assume all of the foregoing risks and accept sole responsibility for any injury to my child(ren) or myself (including, but not limited to, personal injury, disability, and death), illness, damage, loss, claim, liability, or expense, of any kind, that I or my child(ren) may experience or incur in connection with my child(ren)’s attendance at the City of Linden Fire Department Jr. Fire Academy. On my behalf, and on behalf of my children, I hereby release, covenant not to sue, discharge, and hold harmless the City of Linden Fire Department, its employees, agents, and representatives, of and from the Claims, including all liabilities, claims, actions, damages, costs or expenses of any kind arising out of or relating thereto. I understand and agree that this release includes any Claims based on the actions, omissions, or negligence of the City of Linden Fire Department, its employees, agents, and representatives, whether a COVID-19 infection occurs before, during, or after participation in the Jr. Fire Academy.