[HISTORY: Adopted by the Mayor and Council of the Borough of Bradley Beach 12-8-2020 by Ord. No. 2020-19. Amendments noted where applicable.]
The purpose of this chapter is to establish a Length of Service Awards Program for active volunteer members of the Bradley Beach Fire Department and the Bradley Beach First Aid Squad. The Length of Service Awards Program is designed to enhance the ability of the Borough to provide volunteer emergency services protection and to help the Fire Department and First Aid Squad to recruit and maintain membership.
There is hereby established, within the Borough, an emergency services volunteer Length of Service Awards Program ("LOSAP") to reward members of the Fire Department and First Aid Squad for their loyal, diligent and devoted services to the Borough's residents.
The LOSAP shall provide for the fixed annual contribution, to a tax-deferred income account, for each eligible volunteer member that satisfy the criteria set forth in this chapter, and enabling legislation and the U.S. Internal Revenue Code. This chapter shall apply prospectively only, commencing with the calendar year 2022.
The LOSAP shall provide for an annual contribution for each eligible volunteer member who accumulates a minimum of 60 points during a calendar year, pursuant to the point system set forth hereinbelow. Any participant who terminates service as an active volunteer shall cease to participate hereunder.
The annual contribution amount for each year of future service, for each eligible volunteer member, shall be $1,150. The estimated annual cost of this provision of the LOSAP program shall be based on 15 active volunteer members for a total cost of $17,250.
The LOSAP shall only be deemed effective after approval and ratification by the voters of the Borough at the next general election to be held subsequent to the passage of the ordinance codified in this chapter. If this public question fails, the ordinance codified in this chapter shall automatically terminate.
After ratification of the LOSAP, as provided for in this chapter, the maximum annual contribution may be increased, without public hearing or public question, provided such increased contributions do not exceed the number calculated by multiplying the original contribution as approved by public question, by the consumer price index factor. The consumer price index factor shall be established as set forth in N.J.S.A. 40A:14-155.
Each active volunteer member shall be credited with points for volunteer services provided to the Bradley Beach Fire Department in accordance with the point schedule set forth as follows:
A. 
A year of active emergency service shall be credited under the plan for each plan year in which an active volunteer fire fighter of the Bradley Beach Fire Department accumulates at least 60 points. A year of active service will commence January 1 and end December 31 of each year. Points shall be granted in accordance with the following system. Such system shall provide that points shall be granted for the following activities and upon the approval of the plan administrator, who shall be the governing body unless and until designated otherwise by resolution. The fixed annual contribution to a deferred income account for each active or life member who successfully earns a minimum of 60 points shall be $1,150. A volunteer must serve for five years before the benefits of participation in this length of service award program vest.
B. 
Training courses: 20 points maximum; one point per every two hours attended, excluding travel time.
C. 
Drills: one point per drill.
D. 
Elected or appointed positions:
(1) 
Elected officers: 15 points.
(2) 
Appointed positions:
(a) 
Officer: 10 points.
(b) 
Committee chairperson: five points.
(c) 
Committee member: four points.
E. 
Attendance at regular fire company meetings: one point per meeting.
F. 
Participation in fire call responses: points for responding to a minimum number of calls is outlined below.
Percentage of Participation
Points Earned
60% or higher
40
50% to 59%
30
40% to 49%
25
30% to 39%
20
20% to 29%
15
1% to 19%
10
G. 
Fire company sanctioned events: two points.
H. 
Fund-raising events: one point for each day of participation; minimum of two hours of participation per day to qualify.
I. 
Life member: 25 points per year.
J. 
No less than 10 points must be earned from participation in fire call responses to be eligible for LOSAP.
Each active volunteer member shall be credited with points for volunteer services provided to the Bradley Beach First Aid Squad in accordance with the point schedule set forth as follows:
A. 
A year of active emergency service shall be credited under the plan for each plan year in which an active volunteer member of the Bradley Beach First Aid Squad accumulates at least 60 points. A year of active service will commence January 1 and end December 31 of each year. Points shall be granted in accordance with the following system. Such system shall provide that points shall be granted for the following activities and upon the approval of the plan administrator, who shall be the governing body unless and until designated otherwise by resolution. The fixed annual contribution to a deferred income account for each active or life member who successfully earns a minimum of 60 points shall be $1,150. A volunteer must serve for five years before the benefits of participation in this length of service award program vest.
B. 
Certification: EMT/paramedic: 15 points.
C. 
CPR: one point.
D. 
PHTLS (pre-hospital trauma life support) certification: five points.
E. 
CEVO or EVOC (certified emergency vehicle or emergency vehicle operator) course attendance: two points.
F. 
Call response: one point for every five calls. Maximum: 35 points.
G. 
Duty crew: five points for participation in a duty crew for 44 out of 52 weeks.
H. 
Meeting attendance: one point for each regular monthly meeting attended.
I. 
Squad drills as required by the captain of his or her designee: one point for every two hours.
J. 
Committee members: four points for each committee.
K. 
Committee chairperson: five points for each committee.
L. 
Squad event as specified by the captain or his or her designee: one point for every two hours.
M. 
Elected positions: (maximum of one per year).
(1) 
President or captain: 15 points; and
(2) 
All other elected positions listed in the bylaws: 10 points.
N. 
Life member: 25 points per year.
The maximum contribution for each active volunteer member shall be $1,150 per year of active service, subject to periodic consumer price index increases pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40A:14-185.
A copy of the ordinance codified in this chapter, once approved by the voters pursuant to the public question required by N.J.S.A. 40A:14-183 et seq., shall be filed with the Division of Local Government Services within 30 days of the date of the referendum.
All provisions of the Emergency Services Volunteer Length of Service Award Program Act, N.J.S.A. 40A:14-183 et seq., and regulations promulgated herewith, N.J.A.C. 5:30-14.1 et seq., as well as any revisions, amendments or additions to the act of the regulations are incorporated by reference and made a part of this chapter.