[Adopted 8-30-1999 by Ord. No. 10-99 (Ch. 20, Art. II, of the 1981 Code)]
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.
[3] 
Captain: 30 points.
[4] 
Lieutenant: 30 points.
[5] 
Ex-Chiefs: 10 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.
[1] 
Two points per meeting.
(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.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Former Subsection B(1)(g)[4], Committee meetings, which immediately followed this subsection, was repealed 11-19-2018 by Ord. No. 2018-33.
[4] 
Parades: two points per occurrence.
[5] 
Attendance at outside firematic association activities: two points per occurrence.[2]
[2]
Editor's Note: Former Subsection B(1)(g)[7], Public relations activities, which immediately followed this subsection, was repealed 11-19-2018 by Ord. No. 2018-33.
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.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: This Ord. No. 10-99 was approved at the general election held November 2, 1999.