40A:14-184 Definitions relative to retirement benefits for certain municipal emergency services volunteers.

2. For the purposes of this act:

"Active volunteer member" means a person who has been so designated by the governing board of a duly created emergency service organization and who is faithfully and actually performing volunteer service in that organization.

"Certification list" means a list prepared annually by an emergency service organization certifying to a governing body the names of members who have qualified to receive a length of service award.

"Director" means the Director of the Division of Local Government Services in the Department of Community Affairs.

"Emergency service organization" means a fire or first aid organization, whether organized as a volunteer fire company, volunteer fire department, fire district or duly incorporated volunteer first aid, emergency or volunteer ambulance or rescue squad association.

"Elected or appointed position" means a line officer, department or company officer, trustee of an emergency services organization, or a duly established position in a municipality as determined by the governing body of the municipality.

"Length of service award program" means a system established to provide tax-deferred income benefits to active volunteer members of an emergency service organization by means of investment in those products permitted pursuant to subsection a. of section 3 of P.L.1977, c.381 (C.43:15B-3).

"Local government unit" means any municipality, county, or fire district having control of, or which is serviced by, a volunteer fire department, duly incorporated fire or first aid company, or volunteer emergency, ambulance or rescue squad association or organization.

"Participant" means an active volunteer member who is eligible for a benefit under a service award program.

"Sponsoring agency" means any local government unit which duly adopts a length of service award program pursuant to the provisions of this act.

"Year of active emergency service" means a 12-month period during which an active volunteer member participates in the fire or first aid service and satisfies the minimum requirements of participation established by the sponsoring agency on a consistent and uniform basis.

L.1997,c.388,s.2.