[Adopted 12-3-2018 by Ord. No.
2018-3243]
There shall be formally established a Township-funded death
benefit for eligible volunteer members of the Township's recognized
fire companies and emergency medical service squads in the amount
of $5,000 per individual.
In order to be eligible for the Township-funded death benefit,
the volunteer must meet the following criteria depending on their
membership status, but for life members, as defined in the company's
or squad's bylaws, which shall be deemed automatically eligible.
A. Active volunteer members shall be defined consistent with N.J.S.A.
40A:14-184 and be eligible for the Township death benefit after a
minimum of seven years of service in good standing regardless of LOSAP
eligibility.
B. Elected or appointed positions shall be defined consistent with N.J.S.A.
40A:14-184 and be eligible for the Township death benefit after a
minimum of 10 years of service in good standing regardless of LOSAP
eligibility.
C. Other positions specifically defined in the fire company's or
squad's bylaws, as long as they meet or exceed the Fire Department's
bylaws, shall also be eligible for the Township death benefit after
a minimum of 10 years of service in good standing regardless of LOSAP
eligibility.
D. In relation to determining eligibility for any of the above positions,
each participating fire company's or squad's bylaws must
meet or exceed the minimum standards set forth in the Fire Department's
bylaws.
The Certifying Officer shall be the Chief of the Department,
or applicable emergency medical service squad, or their designee in
the absence of the Chief, who shall be responsible for the retention
of all certified records utilized for the determination of eligibility
and the designation of beneficiaries, which shall be submitted annually
to the Township and be subject to audit by the Township or its designees.
All claims for the Township death benefit must be filed by the
duly designated beneficiary, in writing to the Township, within 12
months of the date of death, or the claim will not be paid.
If a volunteer is a qualified member of more than one recognized
volunteer fire department and/or emergency medical services squad,
the benefit will be paid only once per individual.
If any section, subsection or paragraph of this article be declared
unconstitutional, invalid or inoperative, in whole or in part, by
a court of competent jurisdiction, such chapter, section subchapter
or paragraph shall to the extent that is not held unconstitutional,
invalid or inoperative remain in full force and effect and shall not
affect the remainder of this article.
All ordinances and resolutions, and parts of ordinances and
resolutions which are inconsistent with provisions of this article
shall be, and are hereby, repealed to the extent of any such inconsistency,
including specifically Ordinance No. 2018-3237 in its entirety.
This article shall take effect immediately after final adoption
and approval pursuant to law.