N.J. Stat. Ann. § 11A:9-9.1

1. Notwithstanding the provisions of N.J.S.11A:9-9 or any other law, rule or regulation to the contrary, any person who was actively employed by a political subdivision as a firefighter or fire chief at the time of adoption of this title by the political subdivision and who had less than one year of continuous service in that position prior to the adoption of this title by the political subdivision shall continue to hold that position without having to pass an examination and shall have career service status. Nothing contained in this section shall require a political subdivision to rehire such a firefighter or fire chief who has been removed from that position.