A Length of Service Awards Program (LOSAP) is hereby created
in accordance with Chapter 388 of the Laws of 1997, N.J.S.A. 40A:14-183
et seq., to reward members of the volunteer Cranford Call Fire Department
and volunteer Cranford First Aid Squad for their loyal, diligent and
devoted services to the residents of the Township of Cranford.
The LOSAP shall provide for fixed annual contributions to a
deferred-income account for each 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 Cranford pursuant
to the aforementioned New Jersey statutes; 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.
The LOSAP shall provide for annual contributions to each eligible
member that meets the criteria as follows:
Organization
|
Number of Points Required
|
Years of Service Required
|
Amount of Award
|
---|
Cranford Call Fire Department
|
50
|
1 full year
|
$1,150
|
Cranford First Aid Squad
|
75
|
1 full year
|
$1,150
|
The estimated cost of the program has been calculated at $57,500
per year for regular annual services. The LOSAP shall not provide
for contributions for prior years' service.
Each active volunteer member shall be credited with points for
volunteer services provided to the volunteer Cranford Call Fire Department
or volunteer Cranford First Aid Squad, in accordance with the following
schedule:
A. Cranford Call Fire Department.
(1) General provisions.
(a)
Earning 50 points will award an eligible year of service.
(b)
Member is vested after five qualifying years.
(c)
A member with a break in service who has withdrawn his LOSAP
account who returns to service shall not again be vested until after
five additional qualifying years.
(2) Categories.
(a)
All active members must respond to at least 50% of all calls
and 50% of all drills for the Call Fire Department during the calendar
year. A member who responds to at least 50% of all calls and drills
shall earn 50 points.
B. Cranford First Aid Squad.
(1) General provisions.
(a)
Earning 75 points will award an eligible year of service.
(b)
Member is vested after five qualifying years.
(c)
A member with a break in service who has withdrawn his LOSAP
account who returns to service shall not again be vested until after
five additional qualifying years.
(d)
A minimum four points per calendar year each must be earned
from fund-raising and recruitment and a minimum of 20 points per year
must be earned from duty periods, except that a disabled member with
a physician's certificate may earn such points in other categories.
The remaining points must be earned in a minimum of two other categories
as listed below.
(2) Categories.
(a)
Training courses: 20 point maximum. One point per training hour
attended (no points accrue for traveling hours or overnight stay hours).
This includes, but is not limited to, Squad-sanctioned activities,
such as:
[1]
Gold Cross continuing education units (CEUs).
[4]
Training located off Squad premises.
[5]
Video, computer or other technical training.
(b)
Drills: 10 point maximum. One point per drill, minimum of two-hour
drill; any drill over two hours, add one point per additional hour
attended. This includes, but is not limited to, Squad-sanctioned activities,
such as:
(c)
Duty period: no maximum.
[1]
One point per duty period, as defined in Squad bylaws.
[2]
One point per second call answered outside of duty period.
[3]
Members with 30 years of service, or those disabled, shall be
exempt from this category, but shall remain eligible for LOSAP, provided
that the required points are earned in another category.
(d)
Elected and appointed positions: 20 point maximum. Five points
awarded for every three full months served.
(e)
Attendance at meetings: 20 points maximum. One point per Squad-sanctioned
meeting attended.
(f)
Fund-raising and recruitment: maximum 20 points, one point per
two hours.
[1]
Minimum four points must be earned in fund-raising.
[2]
Minimum four points must be earned in recruitment.
(g)
Miscellaneous Squad-sanctioned activities: 20 points maximum.
As defined in the Squad bylaws, one point per two hours, maximum of
four points per activity per day.
This chapter shall be effective upon final passage and publication
in accordance with law, but the LOSAP shall not take effect until
and unless it is approved by the voters as a public question at the
next general election to be held on November 2, 2004.