[HISTORY: Adopted by the Township Committee of the Township
of Ocean by Ord. No. 2003-35. Amendments noted where applicable.]
The purpose of this chapter is to establish a Length of Service
Awards Program (LOSAP) for active volunteer members of the Township's
emergency service organizations, specifically, the Waretown Volunteer
Fire Co. No. 1 and the Waretown First Aid Squad, Inc. The LOSAP program
is designed to enhance the ability of the Township to provide volunteer
fire and first aid protection and to allow the Township's fire
and first aid squads to recruit and maintain membership.
[Amended by Ord. No. 2006-15]
A.
Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40A:14-183 et seq., there is established, within
the Township, an emergency services volunteer length of service award
program, hereinafter referred to as "LOSAP," to reward members of
the Waretown Volunteer Fire Co. No. 1 and the Waretown First Aid Squad,
Inc., for their loyal, diligent and devoted services to the residents
of Ocean Township. This program shall apply only to those members
who are residents of the Township.
B.
However, any active volunteer member who, as of January 1, 2004,
was otherwise eligible for participation in the LOSAP program, but
who did not reside within the territorial jurisdiction of the Township
of Ocean, said member shall continue to be eligible to participate
in the LOSAP program. Any active volunteer member who becomes so designated
after January 1, 2004 and who does not reside within the Township
of Ocean shall not be eligible for participation in the LOSAP program.
Any active volunteer member who establishes their permanent residence
within the Township of Ocean shall be eligible to participate in the
LOSAP program from the date such residency is established within the
Township of Ocean.
The LOSAP program shall provide for the fixed annual contribution,
to a tax-deferred income account, for each eligible volunteer fire
and first aid member that satisfy the criteria set forth in this chapter,
and enabling legislation and the U.S. Internal Revenue Code. This
chapter shall apply prospectively only, commencing with the calendar
year 2004.
The LOSAP program shall provide for an annual contribution for
each eligible volunteer member who accumulates a minimum of 60 points
during a calendar year, pursuant to a point system as set forth herein.
Any participant who terminates service as an active volunteer shall
cease to participate hereunder.
The annual contribution amount for each year of future service,
for each eligible volunteer member, shall be $1,150. The estimated
annual cost of this provision of the LOSAP program shall be based
on 50 active volunteer members for a total cost of $57,500.
The LOSAP program shall only be deemed effective after approval
and ratification by the voters of the Township at the next general
election to be held subsequent to the passage of the ordinance codified
in this chapter. If this public question fails, the ordinance codified
in this chapter shall automatically terminate.
After ratification of the LOSAP, as provided for in this chapter,
the maximum annual contribution may be increased, without public hearing
or public question, provided such increased contributions do not exceed
the number calculated by multiplying the original contribution as
approved by public question, by the consumer price index factor. The
consumer price index factor shall be established as set forth in N.J.S.A.
40A:14-155.
Each active volunteer member, who is also a resident of the
Township, shall be credited with points for volunteer services provided
to the fire company and first aid squad in accordance with the point
schedule set forth as follows:
A.
Fire companies. A year of active emergency service shall be credited
under the plan for each plan year in which an active volunteer fire
fighter of the Waretown Volunteer Fire Company No. 1 accumulates at
least 60 points. A year of active service will commence January 1
and end December 31 of each year. Points shall be granted in accordance
with the following system. Such system shall provide that points shall
be granted for the following activities and upon the approval of the
plan administrator, who shall be the governing body unless and until
designated otherwise by resolution. The fixed annual contribution
to a deferred income account for each active or life member who successfully
earns a minimum of 60 points shall be $1,150. A volunteer must serve
for five years before the benefits of participation in this length
of service award program vest.
(1)
Training courses: 20 points maximum; one point per every two hours
attended, excluding travel time.
(2)
Drills: one point per drill.
(4)
Attendance at regular fire company meetings: one point per meeting.
(5)
Participation in fire call responses: points for responding to a
minimum number of calls is outlined below.
|
Percentage of Participation
|
Points Earned
| |
|---|---|---|
|
60% or higher
|
40
| |
|
50% to 59%
|
30
| |
|
40% to 49%
|
25
| |
|
30% to 39%
|
20
| |
|
20% to 29%
|
15
| |
|
1% to 19%
|
10
|
(6)
Fire company sanctioned events: two points.
(7)
Fund-raising events: one point for each day of participation; minimum
of two hours of participation per day to qualify.
(8)
Life member: 25 points per year.
(9)
No less than 10 points must be earned from participation in fire
call responses to be eligible for LOSAP.
B.
Waretown First Aid Squad, Inc. A year of active emergency service
shall be credited under the plan for each plan year in which an active
volunteer member of the Waretown First Aid Squad, Inc. accumulates
at least 60 points. A year of active service will commence January
1 and end December 31 of each year. Points shall be granted in accordance
with the following system. Such system shall provide that points shall
be granted for the following activities and upon the approval of the
plan administrator, who shall be the governing body unless and until
designated otherwise by resolution. The fixed annual contribution
to a deferred income account for each active or life member who successfully
earns a minimum of 60 points shall be $1,150. A volunteer must serve
for five years before the benefits of participation in this length
of service award program vest.
(1)
Certification: EMT/paramedic: 15 points.
(2)
CPR: one point.
(3)
PHTLS (pre-hospital trauma life support) certification: five points.
(4)
CEVO or EVOC (certified emergency vehicle or emergency vehicle operator)
course attendance: two points.
(5)
Call response: one point for every five calls. Maximum: 35 points.
(6)
Duty crew: five points for participation in a duty crew for 44 out
of 52 weeks.
(7)
Meeting attendance: one point for each regular monthly meeting attended.
(8)
Squad drills as required by the captain of his or her designee: one
point for every two hours.
(9)
Committee members: four points for each committee.
(10)
Committee chairperson: five points for each committee.
(11)
Squad event as specified by the captain or his or her designee: one
point for every two hours.
(13)
Life member: 25 points per year.
The maximum contribution for each active volunteer member shall
be $1,150 per year of active emergency service, subject to periodic
consumer price index increases pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40A:14-185.
A copy of the ordinance codified in this chapter, once approved
by the voters pursuant to the public question required by P.L. 1997,
c.388,[1] shall be filed with the Division of Local Government Services
within 30 days of the date of the referendum.
[1]
Editor's Note: See N.J.S.A. 40A:14-183 et seq.
All provisions of the Emergency Services Volunteer Length of
Service Award Program Act, P.L. 1997, c. 388 and regulations promulgated
herewith, N.J.A.C. 5:30-14.1 et seq., as well as any revisions, amendments
or additions to the act of the regulations are incorporated by reference
and made a part of this chapter.
