Benefits of Membership

The BCFCA will not discriminate in any way, including on the basis of race, color, religious beliefs, national origin, sex, or age, against an y applicant for membership in this association; applicants for attendance at any training classes which have been offered by, through or having anything to do with BCFCA or instructors chosen to teach any such class or classes.  The BCFCA will comply with any and all anti-discrimination legislation of the United States of America or the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as now written or as those laws may be changed in the future.  The BCFCA will not discriminate in any aspect of the operation of this association.

• Company Membership
• Individual Membership
• Honorary Membership
• Life Membership

• All Butler County, Pennsylvania Fire Companies are eligible to become members of the BCFCA.
• Any out of County Fire Company that provides mutual aid assistance on a regular basis to a Butler County fire company is eligible to become a member of the BCFCA.  Any such out of County Fire Company must submit a written request for membership and must be sponsored by a Butler county fire company that is a member of the BCFCA.
• Any current member of a fire company (based on that company’s requirements) with a Company Membership is allowed to attend BCFCA meetings.
• All Company Members in good standing will have one vote in matters voted on by the BCFCA.  The highest ranking Line Officer, or their designee, present at the meeting shall cast the company’s vote.

• Any butler County resident, with interest in emergency services, not belonging to an organization already a member of the BCFCA and at least eighteen (18) years of age shall be eligible to apply in writing for individual membership.
• Written application for Individual Membership must be presented in person at a regularly scheduled meeting of the BCFCA.  The applicant may be interviewed by the membership prior to a vote.
• Members in attendance, in good standing, will vote on the individual Membership application at the meeting in which the application was presented.  An Individual Membership will be accepted by simple majority vote of the voting members. 
• Individual Members will have a voice in all matters brought before the BCFCA; however Individual Members will not have a vote on any matter or in any election.

• Individuals, not already Company or Individual members of BCFCA, may be offered Honorary Membership for outstanding service or support of the BCFCA or emergency services within our membership area.
• Any Company Member may submit a request for Honorary Membership at any regularly scheduled meeting.
• Members in attendance, in good standing, will vote on the Honorary Membership application at the meeting in which the application was presented.  An Honorary Membership will be accepted by simple majority vote of the voting members.
• Honorary Members will have a voice in all matters brought before the BCFCA; however Individual Members will not have a vote on any matter or in any election.

• Life membership is an honorarium offered to individuals as recognition to the dedication and service to the BCFCA.
• Any active individual, (Company Member, Individual Member or Honorary Member) who has been an active participant in the matters of the BCFCA for a minimum of 15 years, may be nominated for Life Membership.  Nominations are to be presented in writing to the presiding officer at a regularly scheduled meeting and include the reasons for Life Membership nomination.
• The Board of Directors will review the nomination and make a determination at their next scheduled meeting.
• Life members are not awarded any special voting privileges.  They may continue to vote in the membership class held prior to Life Membership providing requirements for that class are still current.
• Life member awarded designee prior to adoption of these by-laws will continue to have a vote unless they are voting as a co-member.

• All voting members (Company Members and Life Members) must attend a minimum of four (4) meetings of the BCFCA per calendar year and not delinquent in dues.
• Members who have not attended the required meetings will be considered “not in good standing” and will have voting privileges revoked for the remainder of the current year.
• Members, delinquent on dues, will be considered “not in good standing” and will have voting privileges revoked for the remainder of the current year.
• Members may continue to attend meeting and participate in discussion of BCFCA business matters while not in good standing.
• Members “not in good standing” will be reinstated after attending 4 meetings in one calendar year and paying current and back dues.
• Any representative of a Company Membership is considered in good standing if their Company Membership is in good standing.

• Members in good standing will receive a discount towards the tuition of the BCFCA Annual Fire School.  The discount amount will be determined annually by the BCFCA.
• Members in good standing will be offered preference over non-members for seating in limited space classes or training sessions, providing applications for said classes or training are received at the same date.

• The Board of Directors will determine dues for both Individual and Company memberships annually. Honorary and Life Members are not required to pay dues.
• Dues are payable January 1st of each year and will be considered delinquent if not paid by the regularly scheduled March meeting.
• Members, delinquent on payment of their dues, will be considered "not in good standing".