[HISTORY: Adopted by the Township Committee of the Township of Lacey 8-14-2003 by Ord. No. 2003-33. Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Volunteer Fire Department — See Ch. 43.
A. 
A Length of Service Award Program (LOSAP) is herewith created in accordance with P.L. 1997, c. 388, to reward members of the Fire Companies and First Aid and EMS Squads of the Township of Lacey for their loyal, diligent and devoted services to the residents of the Township of Lacey.
B. 
The LOSAP shall provide for fixed annual contributions to a deferred-income account for each volunteer member that meets the criteria set forth herein. Such contributions shall be made in accordance with a plan that shall be established by the Township of Lacey pursuant to P.L. 1997, c. 388, and said 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 fixed annual contributions to each eligible member that meets the criteria as follows:
A. 
Any active volunteer member shall be eligible to participate in the plan immediately upon commencement of active emergency services.
B. 
Termination of service. Any participant who terminates service as an active volunteer shall cease to participate hereunder. A former participant will become a participant immediately upon returning to the service of the plan administrator as an active volunteer member.
The estimated total cost of the program has been calculated at $276,000 for regular annual services, based on the maximum number (240) of active volunteer members of the First Aid and EMS Squads and the Fire Companies. The estimated total annual program cost will vary from year to year based upon estimated maximum Volunteer Fire Company and First Aid and EMS Squad membership for the year in question.
Each active volunteer member shall be credited with points for volunteer services provided to the Fire Companies and the First Aid and EMS Squads of the Township of Lacey in accordance with the point schedule set forth as follows:
A. 
Fire Companies.
(1) 
A year of active emergency service shall be credited under the plan for each plan year in which an active volunteer firefighter of the Lacey Volunteer Fire Companies accumulates at least 100 points. A year of active service will commence January 1 and end December 31 of each year.
(2) 
Points shall be granted for the following activities and upon the approval of the plan administrator, whom shall be the governing body unless and until designated otherwise by resolution:
(a) 
Fire academy training courses (state and federal): one point per course hour to a maximum of 16 points. Must produce certificate for verification.
(b) 
Company drills: three points per drill.
(c) 
Elected or appointed positions.
[1] 
Chief, Assistant Chief, President and Vice President: 20 points.
[2] 
All other elected officers as per the Companies’ bylaws: 10 points.
[3] 
All appointed officers: five points.
[4] 
Committee Chairperson: five points.
(d) 
Attendance at general Fire Company business meetings: two points per meeting.
(e) 
Participation in fire call responses. Points for responding to a percentage of total calls in a plan year are outlined below:
Percentage of Participation
Points Earned
60% or higher
50
50 to 59%
40
40 to 49%
30
30 to 39%
20
20 to 29%
15
1 to 19%
10
(f) 
Company details.
[1] 
Company worknights: one point per scheduled night.
[2] 
Standby: one point per event.
[3] 
Special details as scheduled by Fire Chief: one point per scheduled detail.
(g) 
Fund-raising events: five points for each event.
(h) 
Longevity: one point for every year of service as a member in good standing, as defined in the bylaws.
B. 
First Aid and EMS Squads.
(1) 
A year of active emergency service shall be credited under the plan for each plan year in which an active volunteer member of the Lacey Volunteer First Aid and EMS Squads accumulates at least 100 points, 20 points of which must be earned for call response pursuant to Subsection B(2)(c) below. A year of active service will commence January 1 and end December 31 of each year.
(2) 
Points shall be granted for the following activities and upon the approval of the plan administrator, whom shall be the governing body unless and until designated otherwise by resolution:
(a) 
Drills, EMS and rescue training (25 points maximum): one point per continuing education unit. Instructors shall receive double credit up to the point maximum. All of the training herein must be approved by the Captain or, in his/her absence, a line officer.
(b) 
Squad monthly meetings (12 points maximum): one point for every membership meeting attended.
(c) 
Participation in emergency call responses (50 points maximum).
[1] 
Points for responding to a minimum number of calls in a plan year are outlined below:
Number of Calls Answered
Points Earned
20 to 24 calls
20
25 to 30 calls
30
31 to 49 calls
40
50 or higher
50
[2] 
Points earned under this subsection are not cumulative and are assessed based upon total number of calls answered in the plan year.
(d) 
Squad activities/events (30 points maximum): one point for every two hours of assignment. Such activities/events include, but are not limited to rig maintenance, parades and other community or Squad functions. Captain or Squad President shall assign a point schedule prior to an event under this subsection.
(e) 
Cleanup/building maintenance details (12 points maximum): one point per detail as scheduled by the Vice President or President.
(f) 
Specialty teams (10 points maximum): one point for each hour of participation. Members must actively participate in at least 50% of the Technical Rescue Team, Bike Team, Extrication Team or similar training and/or meetings to be eligible for points under this subsection.
(g) 
On call and rig checks (50 points maximum): one point for each duty crewmember who is available “on duty” for 10 hours.
(h) 
Officers (25 points maximum):
[1] 
Points.
[a] 
Captain and President: 25 points.
[b] 
All other officers: 10 points.
[2] 
All officers and delegates shall receive one point for attending meetings on behalf of the First Aid and EMS Squad. Points shall be prorated if office is not held for entire plan year.
(i) 
Longevity (25 points maximum): one point for each year of active service. To qualify for points under this subsection, members must have been an active volunteer member of the First Aid and EMS Squads prior to January 1, 2001.
A copy of this chapter, once approved by the voters pursuant to the public question required by P.L. 1997, c. 388, shall be filed with the Division of Local Government Services within 30 days of the date of the referendum.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Ordinance No. 2003-33 was approved at the general election held in November 2003.
All provisions of the Emergency Services Volunteer Length of Service Award Program Act, P.L. 1997, c. 388, 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 or the regulations, are hereby incorporated by reference and made a part of this chapter.