UPPER FREEHOLD – New firefighting personnel hires have been approved by the Township Committee in Upper Freehold Township.
During a recent meeting, Township Committee members hired Ryan Frank as a full-time firefighter/driver assigned to the Hope Fire Company, which serves Upper Freehold and Allentown.
Frank was previously hired by the committee as a per diem firefighter in 2016. His promotion to full-time firefighter was made on the recommendation of the acting supervisor of the department, according to a resolution.
Frank’s hiring followed the resignation of William Kayser as a firefighter driver, which became effective on Jan. 24. Frank will fill the vacancy in the department.
According to the resolution, Frank’s appointment became effective on March 1 and he will hold the position on a probationary period for a minimum of three months. He will receive an annual salary of $34,918.
In other business, committee members hired per diem firefighter George Luck to be on call. Luck will be paid an hourly rate of $13.26, according to a resolution.
The governing body has the authority to create the positions of firefighter for the Hope Fire Company to fill a need in the community to have permanent employees available during the day to ensure efficient response to emergency calls, according to the resolution.
Per diem firefighters are used because municipal officials have found it necessary to have them fill in during vacation days and sick days, or under other circumstances that may arise that would prevent department personnel from fulfilling their duties.
Luck had previously been a full-time firefighter and driver with the Hope Fire Company since the early 2000s. He resigned from his full-time position on Jan. 24 and rejoined the department on a per diem basis.