A length of service awards program (LOSAP) is hereby created
in accordance with Chapter 388 of the Laws of 1997, being N.J.S.A.
40A:14-183 et seq., to reward members of the Volunteer Fire Department
for their loyal, diligent and devoted services to the residents of
the Township of Verona.
The LOSAP shall provide for fixed annual contributions to a
deferred income account for each volunteer member who meets the criteria
set forth below; that such contributions shall be established by the
Township Council of the Township of Verona pursuant to P.L. 1997,
c. 388; and that such plan shall be administered in accordance with
the laws of the State of New Jersey, the United States Internal Revenue
Code, and this article.
The LOSAP shall provide for annual contributions to each eligible
member in accordance with the following credit system:
A. Credits based upon years of service. An active volunteer member shall
receive one credit for each year of active emergency service in the
Verona Volunteer Fire Department, inclusive of prior year service
as permitted by this article.
B. Credits based upon Fire Department point system. An active volunteer
member shall receive one credit for each qualifying year earned by
such member. A qualifying year shall be defined as a calendar year
during which such member has been awarded at least 100 points pursuant
to the following point system:
(1) Fire Department point system.
(a)
Fire Department responses (must have a minimum of 30% to apply).
Points are credited based on the member's percent attendance at Fire
Department responses to which the volunteer firefighters have been
dispatched in a calendar year.
[Amended 11-19-2018 by Ord. No. 2018-33]
[1]
One point per percentage point.
(b)
Drills (36 points maximum, 14 points minimum). Points are credited
for participation in fire company, Department, mutual aid and special
drills.
[1]
Two points per authorized drill.
(c)
Training (30 points maximum). Points are credited for certified
firematic training courses upon receipt of certification of completion.
[1]
Ten points per authorized course where attendance required is
less than 20 hours.
[2]
Twenty points per authorized course where attendance required
is 20 hours but less than 40 hours.
[3]
Thirty points per authorized course where attendance required
is 50 hours and greater.
(d)
Holder of an elected specified position (50 points maximum).
Points are credited for completion of a one-year term in an elected
position. Only one position can be credited per year.
[1]
Department Chief: 50 points.
[2]
Assistant Chief: 50 points.
[6]
Apparatus mechanics: 10 points.
[7]
Drill instructors: 15 points.
(e)
Meetings (36 points maximum, 14 points minimum). Points will
be credited for attendance at regular and special Department and fire
company meetings.
(f)
Miscellaneous officials and appointees (20 points maximum).
Points will be credited for completion of a one-year term in an elected
or appointed position, five points each.
[1]
Secretary, Department and company: five points.
[2]
Treasurer, Department and company: five points.
[3]
Officers, relief association: five points.
[4]
Officers, insurance association: five points.
[5]
Representatives, relief association: five points.
[6]
Officers, exempt association: five points.
[7]
Representatives, exempt association: five points.
[8]
Safety officers: five points.
[9]
Exempt fireman status: five points.
[10]
North Jersey Volunteer Fire Association delegates and alternates:
one point per meeting attended.
(g)
Miscellaneous activities (25 points maximum). Points will be
credited for participation in the following activities which are deemed
official Fire Department activities by the Board of Fire Officers:
[1]
Fire prevention activities: two points per occurrence.
[2]
Fund-raising activities: two points per occurrence.
[3]
Firematic competition: two points per occurrence.
[4]
Parades: two points per occurrence.
[5]
Attendance at outside firematic association activities: two
points per occurrence.
C. Contributions based on total credits. An eligible member shall be
awarded an annual contribution based upon the following schedule:
Total Credits
|
Percentage of Maximum Contribution
|
---|
40 and over
|
100%
|
30 to 39
|
80%
|
20 to 29
|
60%
|
11 to 19
|
40%
|
6 to 10
|
20%
|
1 to 5
|
10%
|
The proposed maximum annual contribution for an active volunteer
member shall be $1,150 per year.
The LOSAP shall authorize the crediting of prior years service
up to a maximum of 10 years.
The estimated total amount to be budgeted for the program is
$17,500.
This article shall not take effect unless it is approved by
the voters as a public question at the next general election as provided
by New Jersey state statute and, if approved, shall become effective
January 1, 2000.