As used in this chapter, the following definitions apply:
ACTIVE VOLUNTEER MEMBER
A person who has accumulated a minimum of 50 points per calendar
year, in accordance with the point system set forth in this chapter.
DIRECTOR
The Director of Emergency Services for Talbot County.
Periodically, the Director and the Director
of Finance shall review the benefits prescribed in this chapter, and
such review may result in a recommendation to increase or decrease
these benefits. Revised benefits, subject to approval of the County
Council through the budget process, shall be effective on the first
pay period in the new fiscal year.
In order to qualify for the benefits pursuant
to this chapter, points shall be credited to each volunteer in accordance
with the following standards:
A. One point shall be credited for every three hours
of attendance in a recognized County-approved training course, provided
that not more than 20 points may be credited for all training courses
attended per year.
B. One point shall be credited for each company or County
drill attended in its entirety, provided that not more than 25 points
may be credited for all drills attended per year.
C. One point shall be credited for each official company
or County meeting pertaining to the County fire services or rescue
services attended, provided that not more than 15 points may be credited
for all meetings attended per year.
D. One point shall be credited for each call to which
a volunteer responds, provided that not more than 40 of the required
points may be credited for all calls responded to per year.
E. Twenty points shall be credited for completion of
a one-year term as an appointed or elected officer in any of the fire
or rescue service organizations of the County, or the Volunteer Firemen's
Association, provided that not more than one office shall be counted
in any calendar year.
F. One point shall be credited for every three hours
of acceptable collateral duties, approved by the Director, such as,
but not limited to, apparatus and building maintenance, official standby
and fire prevention or fund-raising details, provided that not more
than 20 points may be credited for all collateral duties performed
per year.
G. A volunteer member who serves or has served full-time
military service in the Armed Forces of the United States shall receive
credit at the rate of five points for each month served, provided
that not more than 50 points can be credited for the calendar year.
A maximum of two years of creditable service may be acquired in this
manner.
H. A person shall be eligible to earn points only while
said person is a resident of Talbot County. A person need not be a
Talbot County resident to receive benefit payments.
There is hereby created a Volunteer Emergency
Services Longevity Award Fund, which may accrue interest and shall
continue from year to year.