On or before May 1st in every year, each duly incorporated exempt firemen's association shall choose, by ballot, one delegate and one alternate who shall act in the place of the delegate who may be unable to attend the convention or meeting of the New Jersey State Firemen's Association out of the whole body of the membership thereof, who shall represent and vote for the local exempt firemen's association at the convention or meetings of the New Jersey State Firemen's Association. This delegate or alternate shall have the same rights, powers and privileges as the delegates elected to the New Jersey State Firemen's Association by the local firemen's relief associations.
N.J.S. § 43:17-43