City of Millville, NJ Article VIII Volunteer Incentive Program

[Added 9-4-2007 by Ord. No. 32-2007]

§ 17-50 Legal authority.

The United States Department of Labor (DOL) issued a letter on August 7, 2006, to the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) providing guidance under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) clarifying that fire departments and other entities can provide its volunteer firefighters up to 20% of what the public agency would otherwise pay to hire a full-time firefighter for performing comparable service.

§ 17-51 Purpose and scope.

The City of Millville desires to implement a volunteer incentive program for regular volunteer firefighters to help retain existing volunteers and to increase the volunteer rolls so that the Millville Fire Department can continue to provide a high level of service to the community.

§ 17-52 Authorization to establish criteria.

The Fire Chief of the Millville Fire Department is hereby authorized to develop criteria for the Volunteer Incentive Program and the payment of a quarterly stipend to volunteer firefighters who provide fire-fighting services for the Millville Fire Department.

§ 17-53 Approval by governing body.

The Fire Chief shall prepare a standard operating procedure (SOP) detailing the purpose, scope and requirements of the Volunteer Incentive Program which shall be approved by resolution of the governing body of the City. The Fire Chief shall review this SOP on an annual basis to determine whether any amendments or modifications should be made to the SOP. Any changes to the SOP shall be approved by resolution of the governing body of the City.

§ 17-54 Payment of stipend.

The Fire Chief shall present to the Director of Public Safety, on a quarterly basis, a list containing the names of the volunteer firefighters who are entitled to receive a quarterly stipend and the amount of the stipend for each volunteer firefighter. The Fire Chief shall endeavor to provide this list not later than the 10th day of the month following each quarter. In no event shall any stipend paid by the City of Millville in accordance with these regulations be considered salary or wages. No person receiving a stipend under these regulations shall be considered an employee of the City. Each individual firefighter receiving a stipend shall be issued a Form 1099 for tax purposes, and any tax payments associated with the stipend shall be the sole responsibility of the individual receiving the stipend.

§ 17-55 Reporting requirements.

The Fire Chief shall submit an annual report to the Director of Public Safety reporting the effect of the Volunteer Incentive Program on the status of the membership of the volunteer firefighters within the Millville Fire Department. The Director of Public Safety may request a report on shorter intervals if the Director so desires.