[Ord. # 1417]
In accordance with P.L. 1997, c. 388 (N.J.S.A. 40A:14-183 to — 194),
and the regulations promulgated thereunder, N.J.A.C. 5:30-14.1 et
seq., the Borough of Bogota Length of Service Award Program ("LOSAP")
is hereby created to reward members of the volunteer fire companies,
the volunteer first aid and emergency squad, and the rescue squad,
for their loyal, diligent, and devoted services to the residents of
the Borough of Bogota, on the terms set forth herein.
[Ord. # 1417]
In this section, these terms shall be defined as follows:
Shall mean a person who has been so designated by the governing
board of a duly created emergency service organization of the Borough
and who is faithfully and actually performing volunteer service in
that organization.
Shall mean the Bogota Volunteer Fire Department, the Bogota
First Aid and Emergency Squad, the Bogota Rescue Squad, and any other
volunteer emergency service hereafter created by the Mayor and Council
as to which LOSAP participation is authorized by statute.
Shall mean a 12-month period during which an active volunteer
member participates in an emergency service organization and satisfies
the minimum requirements of participation established by the Mayor
and Council on a consistent and uniform basis.
All other terms used in this section shall be as defined
in N.J.S.A. 40A:14-184, and the regulations promulgated thereunder.
[Ord. # 1417; Ord. # 1420]
a.
The LOSAP shall provide for an annual contribution of $650.00 in
the first year, $775.00 in the second year, $900.00 in the third year,
$1,150.00 in the fourth year and every year thereafter, subject to
the increases as authorized by Section 32-3e, to a deferred income
account for each qualifying active volunteer member who: (i) achieves
a year of active emergency service in any calendar year under the
criteria set forth in this section, beginning with the calendar year
starting on January 1 of the year following the adoption of the referendum
authorizing the LOSAP, and (ii) accumulates the minimum number of
points calculated pursuant to the schedule set forth in this section.
These contributions shall be made in accordance with a plan that shall
be established by the Mayor and Council pursuant to P.L. 1997, c.
388. This plan shall be administered in accordance with the laws of
the State of New Jersey, the U.S. Internal Revenue Code, and this
section.
b.
Active volunteer members shall be eligible to participate in the
LOSAP immediately upon the commencement of their performance of active
emergency services. Members shall be eligible to vest in the LOSAP
when they have completed five (5) years of emergency service in any
emergency service organization in the State, as allowed by N.J.S.A.
40A:14-188(a). Members of a Borough emergency service organization
when the LOSAP goes into effect will be vested if they have completed
five (5) years of service in an emergency service organization in
the Borough.
c.
In computing the credits for active volunteer members who serve as
paid employees of the Borough, credit shall be given for activities
performed during the individual's regularly assigned work periods,
to the extent permitted by law.
d.
Each participating emergency service organization shall furnish to
the Mayor and Council an annual certification list, certified under
oath, of all volunteer members. The list shall identify the active
volunteer members who have qualified for credit under the LOSAP for
the previous calendar year. Volunteer members may request the deletion
of their names from the list in writing, pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40A:14-191,
and may appeal the absence of their name from the list, or may appeal
the denial of past service credit, within thirty (30) days of the
posting of the list or notice of the denial of the credit. The appeal
shall be in writing and shall be mailed to the Borough Clerk. The
Mayor and Council, or its designee, shall investigate, the appeal.
The Mayor and Council shall decide the appeal, by a Resolution, adopted
after an investigation of the matter.
e.
The regular annual contribution amount of $1,150.00 may increase
each year after the fourth full year at the rate that is approved
by the Mayor and Council, provided, however, that no increase in any
year may exceed the maximum LOSAP cost of living increase that is
calculated and published in accordance with the applicable statute
and regulations.
f.
No active volunteer member shall qualify for a year of active emergency
service, unless that active volunteer member shall have successfully
completed any State or Federally mandated training, even if the active
volunteer member would otherwise qualify for a year of active emergency
service.
g.
If any person who is an active volunteer member suffers a disability
or dies, that person shall be credited for a year of active emergency
service for the year in which the disability or death occurs, provided
that the person qualified for a year of active emergency service in
the calendar year before the year in which the death or disability
occurred.
h.
Any member on medical leave of absence which is the result of a line
of duty injury shall receive full service credit during the time period
such leave has been approved not to exceed the balance of the year
in which such leave has been approved plus the next calendar year.
Any application for full service credit after the year following
the year in which such leave has been approved shall be at the discretion
of the Mayor and Council on a case-by-case basis.
The Mayor and Council shall consider, but not be limited to,
issues such as whether the member will be able to return to service;
how much longer the member will be on a medical leave of absence;
how the injury occurred; and such other issues the Mayor and Council
deem appropriate.
i.
The estimated cost of the program has been calculated as follows:
1.
For regular annual services for the first year $22,750.00 to $91,000.00.
2.
For contributions for the subsequent years the estimated costs are,
$27,125.00 to $108,750.00 for the second year, $31,500.00 to $126,000.00
for the third year, and $40,250.00 to $161,000.00 for the fourth year.
3.
These estimates are based upon assuming twenty-five (25%) percent
of the current staffing of the squads attain eligibility (the lower
number) and one hundred (100%) percent of the current staffing of
the squads attain eligibility (the higher number). The cost will increase
each year thereafter based upon cost of living increase formula.
[Ord. # 1417]
Each active volunteer member shall be credited with points for
volunteer services provided to the emergency service organizations
in accordance with the following schedules:
a.
Bogota Volunteer Fire Department.
A qualified year of active emergency service in the Bogota Fire
Department will be credited under the LOSAP for each service year
after the effective date of the program in which an active volunteer
member accumulates at least one hundred (100) points and attends thirty
(30%) percent of the fire drills and meetings in that calendar year.
Points are to be calculated as follows:
1.
EMERGENCY CALLS (including emergency, company and special) —
1 point per alarm.
2.
DRILLS (including company and department) — 2 points per drill,
12 points minimum and 24 points maximum.
3.
TRAINING — 2 points per hour for attendance at a formal fire
training class, CPR classes, or any other training classes submitted
for approval of the training officer. 50 points maximum.
4.
MEETINGS — 2 points for attendance at regular monthly meetings
and special meetings. 18 points minimum and 30 points maximum.
5.
ELECTED OR APPOINTED OFFICER — All officers are to receive
upon completion of each calendar year served in their respected position
these point totals, up to a maximum of 65 points:
|
Chief Officer
|
50 points
|
|
Company Line Officer
|
35 points
|
|
Department Executive Officer
|
35 points
|
|
Company Executive Officer
|
25 points
|
|
Company Mechanic
|
25 points
|
|
Company Trustee
|
20 points
|
|
Department Committee Member
|
15 points
|
|
Company Life Member
|
50 points
|
|
LOSAP Account Secretary
|
35 points
|
6.
MISCELLANEOUS ACTIVITIES — A maximum of 10 points may be earned
annually for participation in the following activities. Each activity
shall be awarded 2 points.
b.
Bogota Rescue Squad.
A qualified year of volunteer emergency service in the Bogota
Rescue Squad shall be credited under LOSAP for each service year after
establishment of the program in which an active volunteer accumulates
at least one hundred (100) points. Points are to be calculated as
follows:
1.
CALLS — 2 points each
2 points for every call that is attended. There is no maximum
number of points that can be accumulated for calls attended in a calendar
year.
2.
TRAINING — 2 points per hour
2 points per hour for attendance at a formal training class,
formal in-house training class, or any other training classes submitted
for approval of the training officer. A maximum of 60 points in a
calendar year for training is allowed.
3.
DUTY NIGHT — 1 point per night
1 point for every 1900 x 2300 hours assigned duty night attended.
4.
MEETINGS — 2 points each
2 points for every monthly meeting and special meeting attended.
A maximum of 24 points in a calendar year for meetings is allowed.
5.
DETAILS & DRILLS — 2 points each
2 points for every drill or detail attended. A maximum of 24
points in a calendar year for drills and details is allowed.
6.
PARADES — 5 points each
5 points for every parade attended. A maximum of 10 points in
a calendar year for parades is allowed.
7.
STANDBYS — 1 point for 4 hours
1 point for every 4 hours of a standby for disaster or weather
related emergencies attended. A maximum of 10 points in a calendar
year for standbys is allowed.
8.
ELECTED OR APPOINTED OFFICER —
All officers are to receive upon completion of each calendar
year served in their respected position these point totals, up to
a maximum of 65 points:
|
Chief
|
50 points
|
|
Deputy Chief
|
45 points
|
|
Captain
|
40 points
|
|
Lieutenant
|
35 points
|
|
President
|
30 points
|
|
Treasurer
|
15 points
|
|
Secretary
|
10 points
|
|
Director
|
10 points
|
|
Committee Member
|
10 points
|
|
Mechanic
|
15 points
|
|
Life Member
|
50 points
|
|
LOSAP Account Secretary
|
35 points
|
9.
Any event that the Chief recommends to be LOSAP eligible that is
approved by the Mayor and Council.
c.
Bogota First Aid and Emergency Squad.
A qualified year of Volunteer First Aid and Emergency Squad
service shall be credited under the LOSAP for each calendar year after
establishment of the program in which an active certified Volunteer
accumulates at least one hundred (100) points and attends thirty (30%)
percent of the EMS drills and meetings in that calendar year. Points
shall be granted in accordance with the following systems:
1.
Ambulance calls — 2 points for each call.
2.
Drills and Meetings and Special Meetings — 2 points awarded
for each meeting or drill attended up to 30 points maximum for meetings
and 24 points maximum for drills.
3.
Duty Night — 2 points per night, 4 hours consecutive in-house
duty, and 1 point for rig inspection and restocking both rigs per
duty night.
4.
TRAINING — 2 points per hour
2 points per hour for attendance at a formal training class,
formal in-house training class, or any other training classes submitted
for approval of the training officer. A maximum of 60 points in a
calendar year for training is allowed.
5.
Officers and other positions within the ambulance squad. Points are
credited for completion of each one year term as follows:
|
President
|
50 points
|
|
Vice President
|
25 points
|
|
Chief
|
50 points
|
|
Deputy Chief
|
45 points
|
|
Captain
|
45 points
|
|
Corr. Secretary
|
25 points
|
|
Rec. Secretary
|
25 points
|
|
Treasurer
|
35 points
|
|
Mechanic
|
35 points
|
|
Crew Chief
|
35 points
|
|
Active Life Member
|
50 points
|
|
LOSAP Account Secretary
|
35 points
|
6.
Miscellaneous Activities — Points will be credited for participation
in the following activities:
|
Wakes and Memorial Services
|
5 points
|
|
Bogota Memorial Day Parade
|
5 points
|
|
Work Details assigned by Captain
|
5 points
|
|
Teaneck 4th of July Parade
|
4 points
|
|
Ridgefield Park 4th of July Parade
|
4 points
|
7.
STANDBYS — 1 point for 4 hours
1 point for every 4 hours of a standby for disaster or weather
related emergencies attended. A maximum of 48 points in a calendar
year for standbys is allowed.
8.
Any event that the Squad Officers recommend be LOSAP eligible that
is approved by the Mayor and Council.
