Seasoned and well-trained volunteers are a precious commodity. Beachwood’s volunteer firemen have responded to just about every type of fire alarm imaginable. However, it is increasingly difficult for volunteers to respond due to family commitments, jobs and outside activities. As towns scramble to fill the ranks of their fire department, many are hoping that a new program will entice experienced but time pressed volunteers to become even more active. They also hope to lure new, young recruits.
The program, known as L.O.S.A.P. – Length of Service Awards Program, is a retirement savings plan approved by the state legislature in 1998. This program allows towns to set aside a retirement savings package for volunteers, based upon a point system determined by the frequency of answering emergency calls, attending fire drills and classes, and doing work details at the station house. The borough is hoping this savings package will attract new volunteers and entice experienced veterans to become more active.
Please come out on November 5th and vote “yes” for the L.O.S.A.P. program. It’s a dividend that will pay off for you, your family and ours, for the rest of our lives providing superior fire protection in Beachwood.
