[HISTORY: Adopted by the Mayor and Council of the Borough of Emerson 7-20-1999 by Ord. No. 1110. Amendments noted where applicable.]
A Length of Service Awards Program (LOSAP) is herewith created in accordance with Chapter 388 of the Laws of 1997,[1] to reward members of the Emerson Volunteer Fire Department and Emerson Volunteer Ambulance Corps for their loyal, diligent, and devoted services to the residents of the Borough of Emerson.
[1]
Editor's Note: See N.J.S.A. 40A:14-183 et seq.
A. 
The LOSAP shall provide for fixed annual contributions to a deferred income account for each volunteer member that meets the criteria set forth below; that such contributions shall be made in accordance with a plan that shall be established by the Borough of Emerson 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 chapter.
B. 
In December of each year, the Fire Department and the Ambulance Corps shall each recommend to the Mayor and Council the name of a member who will keep record of and certify to the Chief Financial Officer of the Borough, the number of points accumulated by each of their respective members. The Mayor and Council if the recommendation meets with their approval shall appoint such members at the annual reorganization meeting in January. Failing receipt of a recommendation, the Mayor and Council may appoint such person as they deem proper to fill the statutory requirement.
[Added 6-25-2001 by Ord. No. 1206]
The LOSAP shall provide for annual contributions to each eligible member that meets the criteria as follows: For the Emerson Fire Department and Emerson Volunteer Ambulance Corps, a year of service shall be credited under a Service Award Program for each calendar year of which an active emergency service volunteer accumulates at least 100 points; 100 points per year = 100% of award.
A. 
The estimated cost of the program has been calculated as follows:
(1) 
The annual contribution shall be $600 per eligible member for the calendar year 2000. The maximum cost to the Borough of Emerson for the year 2000 is $45,000.
(2) 
The annual contribution per eligible member for the calendar year 2001 shall be $850. The maximum cost to the Borough of Emerson for the calendar year 2001 shall be $63,750.
(3) 
The annual contribution per eligible member for the calendar year 2002 shall be $1,150. The maximum cost to the Borough of Emerson for the calendar year 2002 shall be $86,250.
(4) 
The maximum cost allowed by statute for any eligible member is $1,150 in any one calendar year. The program will continue each year after the year 2002 at the maximum cost of $1,150 per eligible member.
(5) 
The governing body may, from time to time, authorize an increase in the annual contributions in an amount not to exceed the cumulative percentage increase in the consumer price index (CPI) since the year in which the annual contribution amount was last set, as calculated by the Director of the Division of Local Government Services. Any such increase shall be made by resolution of the governing body and shall not require a public hearing.
[Added 3-5-2019 by Ord. No. 1584-19]
B. 
Five years of service are required for vesting.
Each active volunteer member shall be credited with points for volunteer services provided to the Emerson Volunteer Fire Department or Emerson Volunteer Ambulance Corps in accordance with the following schedule:
Emerson Volunteer Fire Department LOSAP Schedule
Activity
Points
Maximum Points
Line officer Chief, Captain, Lieutenant
5
Association officer President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer
3
Ex-Chief
5
Qualified driver
3
Engineer
3
Meetings
1
(Per meeting)
Drills
1
(Per drill)
Chief's call
2
Parade
2
Funeral
2
Extra credit detail, special events, C.O. alarms, parade cleanup, etc.
1
(Maximum 30)
Regular cleanup
1
(Maximum 25)
Years of Service
5 years
5
10 years
10
15 years
15
20 years
20
25 years
25
30 years
30
35 years
35
40 years
40
45 years
45
50 years
50
Response to Fire Calls
0-10%
0
11-20%
10
21-30%
20
31-40%
30
41-50%
40
51-60%
50
61% and above
60
Attending and completion of Firefighter I Training
25
Emerson Volunteer Ambulance Corps
Activity
Points
Maximum Points
Tour of duty
1
Weekend tour
2
Holidays
2
CEUs
1 per hour
District meetings
1
Maximum 5
Committee position
5
Maximum 10
Business meetings
1
Training meetings
2
Executive board meetings
1
Approved extra credits
1
Minimum of 50% of business
5 years of service - 5 points
Meetings and 80% of training
10 years of service - 15 points
Meetings must be met
20 years of service - 30 points
25+ years of service - 50 points
This chapter shall not take effect unless it is approved by the voters as a public question at the next general election.