Voters asked to support LOSAP question in Howell Twp.

Since 1998, New Jersey municipalities and fire districts have been permitted to grant length of service awards to their volunteer emergency service organizations. Over 200 fire and first aid organizations now enjoy this benefit and use this tool to recruit and retain members.

The Howell Township Council approved an ordinance on July 7, 2003 that placed a binding referendum on the Nov. 4 ballot asking voters to approve the program for Howell’s first aid squads.

What is the Length of Service Awards Program (LOSAP)? Simply, it is an annuity that accrues to the benefit of the active emergency service squad member.

Currently, Howell’s five fire districts have approved and implemented a LOSAP program for their members. The proposal that will appear on the November ballot will extend coverage to Howell’s three first aid squads – the Howell First Aid Squad, the Ramtown First Aid Squad and the Farmingdale-Howell First Aid Squad.

The LOSAP committee, which was appointed this year by the Township Council to examine and recommend strategies to retain and recruit new first aid squad members, designed a point system to qualify members of all three squads for this annuity. The point system emphasizes response to calls and mandatory training.

An active member who accumulates 100 points in a calendar year would have $1,160 deposited in an annuity account under his or her name. College student volunteers who accumulate at least 65 points would be awarded 50 percent of the benefit, $580. Active life members who do not attain 100 points, but attain at least 65 points would also receive 50 percent of the benefit.

The annual awards would accrue for a minimum of five years before a member could claim the annuity. If a member is inactive for more than two years, the funds revert back to the township.

Why should you vote for LOSAP in November? It is imperative that we offer tools to our first aid squads to recruit and retain members to service the emergency medical needs of Howell. LOSAP provides a small benefit to the volunteers for their service. Volunteer first aid squad members use their own time and fiscal resources to care for the needs of the residents and visitors to Howell.

A paid ambulance service charges individuals from $350 to $1,000 for a response to an emergency medical incident. A contract between a paid ambulance service and the township could cost several hundred thousand dollars. Conversely, the proposal to implement LOSAP would cost less than a half-cent per $100 of assessed value per year, approximately $10 for a house at $200,000.

While you may never have had to dial 911 for a medical emergency, it is comforting to know that dedicated volunteers are ready to respond at any time of day. The first aid squads also provide coverage for many public events. The LOSAP Committee hopes you will agree that this is money well spent and support Question 1 on the November ballot.

Suzanne M. Veitengruber

Chair, LOSAP Committee

Howell