Newfane exploring volunteer firefighter benefits program
Apr. 17—The Town of Newfane is next on the list of municipalities in eastern Niagara County that are exploring a benefits program for local senior volunteer firefighters.
Similar to a retirement program for volunteers, the state-sanctioned Length of Service Award Program provides compensation to fire company members aged 65 years and older based on their years of service with their company. The compensation is paid by property owners in the fire district.
Robert Horanburg, president of Olcott Fire Company and town board member, said that both his company and Miller Hose are looking to implement the program as a recruitment and retention tool for prospective and current members.
"LOSAP is really to benefit the firefighters and give a little bit back to them for all the time and effort they put into providing service to the community," Horanburg said. "And because the community needs to know that we're there for them when when they need us."
Through LOSAP, the amount that a firefighter gets paid per month is based on a system of points that are earned based on their length and extent of service with their company. A firefighter would be eligible to receive benefits once they turn 65 and can make up to $400 per month.
Newfane is following in the footsteps of the Town of Royalton and the Village of Middleport, whose LOSAP referendums passed muster with voters last year. Hartland town residents will vote on a LOSAP referendum in August.
"As we look around the county, there are a number of fire companies that already have this LOSAP program and I think Olcott and Miller Hose may be one of the few that don't have something like this. So the time is now to put this out to the public to see if they'll support something like this," town supervisor John Syracuse said.
Before a date is set for a referendum, the town first has to determine the cost to build the base of the program and over what span of time the funding would be raised. The town-wide fire protection tax rate is currently $1.79 per $1,000 of assessed property value.
"There's three choices to fund the program — front load funding all at once, a five-year program, or a 10-year program. (After that), you're looking at just a maintenance number...The people need to know what that number is before before they vote on it," Syracuse said.
