WOODBINE – Borough voters chose overwhelmingly in the Nov. 5 election to provide a financial incentive for volunteer firefighters, passing a question on the ballot.
The question asked whether residents wanted to approve participation in the Length of Service Awards Program, which provides retirement pension benefits for volunteers who meet minimum length of service requirements.
The unofficial vote, as posted on the county website, was 507 in favor and 117 opposed – or more than 81% voting in favor of the measure.
The program is considered an incentive for volunteer firefighters to join and remain in a company. Of the approximately 2,200 residents of Woodbine, just 20 are members of the Woodbine Volunteer Fire Company, which handles about 150 calls per year.
The ballot question said the annual contribution by the borough would be $1,000 per eligible member, and that the estimated cost of the program has been calculated as follows: for regular annual services, $10,000 per year.
Many communities have had difficulty recruiting and retaining volunteers, for a variety of reasons. The education requirement to be a firefighter is about 180 hours of instruction, after which there are monthly meetings and drills, as well as specialized training.
Fire companies, even volunteer companies, have become all-hazard responders, requiring members to be trained in areas that don’t necessarily involve fires, such as water rescues, vehicle rollovers or entrapments, or high-angle rescue. Often, people are busy working multiple jobs and don’t have the time to volunteer.
Woodbine Assistant Fire Chief Victor A. Hartley III approached Mayor William Pikolycky earlier this year and asked that the borough consider the program. Pikolycky supported the move, since the Woodbine firefighters receive no other compensation.
The program was signed into law in 1998 and offers tax-deferred payment to volunteers who provide emergency services, such as firefighters and EMS workers.
Contact the reporter, Christopher South, at csouth@cmcherald.com or 609-886-8600, ext. 128.
