[HISTORY: Adopted by the Township Council of the Township of Chester 8-7-2001. 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 active volunteer members of the Chester Fire Department and the Chester First Aid Squad for their loyal, diligent and devoted services to the residents of the Township of Chester.
[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 active volunteer member that meets the criteria set forth below. Such contributions shall be made in accordance with a plan that shall be established by the Township of Chester pursuant to P.L. 1997, c. 388; and the 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. 
(Reserved)
C. 
Cost of living increase. The annual Length of Service Awards for fire fighters and first aid squad members shall be increased each year by the consumer price index as certified by the State of New Jersey Division of Local Government Services as set forth in N.J.S.A. 40A:14-185f.
[Amended 4-3-2007 by Ord. No. 2007-20]
[Amended 4-3-2007 by Ord. No. 2007-7]
The Township shall provide for annual contributions to each eligible member that meets the following criteria each calendar year (January 1 through December 31):
A. 
Fire fighters.
(1) 
Ninety or more points equals maximum funding amount of $1,173 per individual.
(2) 
Seventy to 89 points equals $879.75.
(3) 
Fifty to 69 points equals $586.50.
B. 
First-Aid Squad members.
(1) 
One hundred or more points equals maximum funding amount of $1,173 per individual.
(2) 
Eighty-five to 99 points equals $879.75.
(3) 
Seventy to 84 points equals $586.50.
[Amended 4-3-2007 by Ord. No. 2007-7]
The estimated cost of LOSAP has been calculated for regular annual services for 2007 to be $115,000.
[Amended 5-21-2024 by Ord. No. 2024-08]
Each active volunteer member shall be credited annually on December 31 with points for volunteer services provided to either the Chester Volunteer Fire Department or the Chester First Aid Squad in accordance with the following schedule:
A. 
Firefighters. Points can be in any of the following combinations:
(1) 
Training courses: 15 points maximum.
(a) 
Less than 20 hours duration: one point per hour, with a maximum of five points.
(b) 
Courses of 21 hours to 45 hours duration: five points, plus one point per hour for each hour over initial 20 hours, with a maximum of 10 points.
(c) 
Courses over 46 hours duration: 15 points per course.
(2) 
Drills, weekly and monthly: 24 points maximum.
(a) 
Must attend 12 drills to receive 24 points.
(3) 
Special activities: 20 points maximum.
(a) 
One point each. An "activity" is defined as line activity of the fire company, as approved by an officer, not falling under one of the other categories.
(b) 
Sundays. An activity occurring on a Sunday, as approved by the line officers.
(4) 
Elected positions: 25 point maximum.
(a) 
Completion of one-year term in an elected or appointed position equals 25 points, excluding assistant positions, which equal 10 points.
(b) 
Titles covered include any line officer, administrative officer and member Board of Directors.
(5) 
Attendance at meetings: 36 point maximum.
(a) 
Attendance at any official meeting of the company: three points each meeting.
(b) 
Meetings include monthly business meetings.
(6) 
Standing committee work/appointed position: 15 point maximum. As determined by the Committee Chairperson, based on performance.
(a) 
Committee Chairperson: five points.
(7) 
Incident responses: 50 points for responding annually to fire and/or first aid responses.
(a) 
Firefighters to receive a 0.5 point per call response.
(8) 
Retroactive credit: 25 point maximum. Five points per year for past office (Chief, Deputy Chief, President, Secretary and Treasurer).
B. 
First Aid Squad members. Points can be in any combination:
(1) 
Maintain EMT/first responder certification: 30 points.
(2) 
Maintain CPR certification: 10 points.
(3) 
Maintain de-fib certification: 10 points.
(4) 
Meeting attendance: 36 points maximum.
(a) 
Attendance at monthly business meetings: three points each.
(5) 
Elected positions: 25 points maximum.
(a) 
Completion of one-year term in an elected or appointed position. Titles include administrative, line, quartermaster, crew chief and chaplain.
(6) 
Committee work: 10 points maximum.
(a) 
Committee Chairperson: 10 points.
(b) 
Committee members: one point per hour of work.
(7) 
Incident responses: 50 points maximum.
(a) 
Each call equals: 0.5 point.
(8) 
Length of service: 20 points maximum.
(a) 
Each year of service equals one point.
This chapter shall take effect immediately upon final passage and publication as required by law, and upon approval by the voters of Chester Township and Chester Borough of a public question at the next general election.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: This ordinance was approved at the general election held November 6, 2001.