[Amended in entirety 9-6-2023 by Ord. No. 27-2023. Prior history includes
Ord. Nos. 1999-41; 2001-11; 3-2010; 61-2011 and 57-2013.]
[Added 9-6-2023 by Ord.
No. 27-2023]
A Length of Service Awards Program (LOSAP) is herewith created
in accordance with Chapter 388 of the Laws of 1997, to reward members
of the volunteer fire companies/first aid squad for their loyal, diligent,
and devoted services to the residents of the Township of Wayne.
[Added 9-6-2023 by Ord.
No. 27-2023]
The LOSAP shall provide for annually adjusted 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 Township
of Wayne 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 U.S. Internal Revenue Code, and this section.
[Added 9-6-2023 by Ord.
No. 27-2023; amended 12-6-2023 by Ord. No. 49-2023]
The LOSAP shall provide for annual contributions to each eligible
member that meets the criteria as follows:
A.
One hundred (100) points in a calendar year are required for a member
of a volunteer fire company to be eligible for an annual contribution.
One thousand (1,000) points in a calendar year are required
for a member of the first aid squad to be eligible for an annual contribution.
B.
Five (5) years of service are required for vesting.
C.
Effective calendar year 2023, the annual contribution per each LOSAP
eligible member shall be the maximum contribution or half the maximum
contribution depending on eligibility as published, and adjusted annually
in accordance with changes in the consumer price index (CPI), by the
Director of the Division of Local Government Services within the Department
of Community Affairs in that year’s annual Local Finance Notice
(LFN) in accordance with N.J.A.C. 5:30-14.9.
[Added 9-6-2023 by Ord.
No. 27-2023; amended 12-6-2023 by Ord. No. 49-2023; 12-20-2023 by Ord. No. 51-2023]
Each active volunteer member shall be credited with points for
volunteer services provided to the volunteer fire company/first aid
organization in accordance with the following schedules:
A.
Fire Companies - Schedule A.
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Fire Companies - Schedule A
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Active Members.
Active members of a Fire Company must earn a minimum
of one hundred (100) points in a calendar year to receive service
credit for that year to be eligible for LOSAP. Active members of a
Fire Company earning a minimum of fifty (50) points in a calendar
year will be eligible to receive 50% service credit for that year.
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Probationary Members.
Probationary members become eligible for LOSAP in
the year in which they become Active Members. Point values are the
same as for the Active class members.
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Drills/Training. 30 point maximum.
Drills:
Two (2) hour minimum (SRT drills to be included)
Two (2) points for each event
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Meetings/Work Details. 30 point maximum.
Meetings:
Official Fire Company business meetings
Work Details:
Two (2) hour minimum
Two (2) points per event
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Duty Shift. 30 point maximum.
Fire fighters will serve 8 hours of duty to obtain
1 point for a maximum of 30 points.
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Response. No maximum.
One (1) point for each percentage point earned of
day alarm responses and night alarm responses up to 50%. One point
five (1.5) points for each percentage point earned above 50%.
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Elected Office. 10 point maximum.
Ten (10) points for holding an administrative or
firematic elected position for the entire year.
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Special Response Team Membership. 5 point maximum.
Five (5) points for being an active member of the
Special Response Team for the entire year.
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Extra Points. 5 point maximum.
Company-sanctioned activities approved by the Company,
President, Chief or other officer or designee as the situation mandates.
Fundraisers, requested attendance at Township meetings, participation
in Wayne Day, providing coverage for another town, parades, etc. These
will represent one (1) point each. Additional points will be credited
for events over 4 hours in duration.
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B.
First Aid Squad - Schedule B.
All participating members who must accumulate five hundred (500)
points per calendar year will be eligible to receive 50% of the maximum
contribution for that year.
Points will be calculated on a monthly basis. The President
(or designee) will maintain the records and post a list no later than
the 15th of each month.
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First Aid Squad - Schedule B
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Duty.
Pulling an assigned duty slot gives five (5) points an hour.
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Meetings.
Five (5) points will be awarded for each meeting attended.
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Drills/Training.
Five (5) points will be awarded per hour of each classes/courses
attended with a maximum number of points in the category set at five
hundred (500). Offsite classes require proof of successful completion.
Instructors teaching for the Squad will receive five (5) points for
each class taught plus preparatory time. One hundred (100) points
will be awarded for mandatory training.
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Work Details/Sanctioned Activities.
Work details and other "Squad-Sanctioned" activities will be
worth ten (10) points. Adjustments will be made for longer sessions
or activities. Two hundred and forty (240) points is the maximum to
be earned in this category. The term "Squad-Sanctioned" shall mean
the Squad, the President, Chief, or designee has approved the activity
or detail.
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Calls/Extra Duty.
Five points are awarded for each call answered. Ten (10) points
are awarded for each call answered between 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m.
Two (2) points will be awarded for each hour of pre-approved extra
duty. Four (4) points will be awarded for each hour of pre-approved
extra duty between 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. Ten (10) points are awarded
for each call answered on holidays and four (4) points are awarded
for prearranged extra duty answered on holidays. There is no maximum
set in this category. Extra duty assignments shall be approved by
the appropriate line officer.
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Elected Office Or Appointed Position.
One hundred (100) points are awarded for holding an elected
office or an appointed position for the entire year.
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[Added 9-6-2023 by Ord.
No. 27-2023; amended 12-6-2023 by Ord. No. 49-2023]
In accordance with N.J.S.A. 40A:14-191, the Fire Commissioner
and the First Aid Squad Commissioner shall furnish to the Township
Council an annual certification list, certified under oath, of all
volunteer members, which shall identify those active volunteer members
who have qualified for credit under the award program for the previous
year. This list shall be submitted annually. Notwithstanding the provisions
of this section, a volunteer member may request that the member's
name be deleted from the list as a participant in the length of service
award program. A request for deletion shall be in writing and shall
remain effective until withdrawn in the same manner.
[Added 9-6-2023 by Ord.
No. 27-2023]
The Township Council shall review the annual certification list
furnished by the Fire Commissioner and First Aid Squad Commissioner
and approve the final annual certification. The approved list of active
certified volunteer members shall then be returned to the Fire Commissioner
and First Aid Squad Commissioner and posted for at least thirty (30)
days for review by members. The Fire Commissioner and First Aid Squad
Commissioner shall provide any information concerning the annual certification
list that the Township Council shall require as part of its review.
[Added 9-6-2023 by Ord.
No. 27-2023]
An active volunteer member whose name does not appear on the
approved certification list may appeal within thirty (30) days of
posting of the list. The appeal shall be in writing and mailed to
the Township Clerk. The Township Council shall investigate the appeal
and render a decision regarding the appeal. The decision of the Fire
Commissioner or the First Aid Squad Commissioner or that of the Township
Council regarding the approved certification list shall be subject
to appropriate judicial review.
