Section 40A:14-12.4 - Appointment of firefighters under certain circumstancesa. Notwithstanding the provisions of N.J.S. 40A:14-12 to the contrary, a municipal appointing authority may appoint to a uniformed firefighting position any person who is over 35 years of age if that person was placed on a civil service eligible list for appointment as a member or officer of a paid fire department or force prior to February 25, 1997 and was appointed by a municipal appointing authority prior to June 30, 1998.b. Notwithstanding the provisions of P.L. 1944, c.255 (C.43:16A-1 et seq.) to the contrary, the Board of Trustees of the Police and Firemen's Retirement System shall accept as a member of the retirement system any firefighter, otherwise eligible for membership, who was appointed in accordance with the provisions of subsection a. of this section. L. 2001, c. 279, s. 1, eff. 12/27/2001.