City of Salisbury eyes improving benefits for volunteer firefighters

SALISBURY, Md. – The City of Salisbury is moving toward improving its benefits for volunteer firefighters. Currently, the city uses a Length Of Service Award Program (LOSAP). Retiring as an active volunteer member, personnel can expect to get a monthly check based on how many years of service they provided.

“It was established in the 1990s for volunteers within the City of Salisbury. What it basically does is provide an incentive to be a volunteer, and it gives them a retirement benefit once they reach the age of 60,” said Salisbury Fire Chief John Tull.

But, the city is eyeing a new program called the Volunteer Member Incentive Policy. It works in milestones.

“For every five years of credible service that your provide, you then get the money at five years. Then you do another five years up to ten, then you get another check or stipend payment for being an active volunteer member,” said Chief Tull. “You don’t have to wait 20 to 30 years before you start receiving the benefits for being an active volunteer within the City of Salisbury.”

Chief Tull says not only will this help existing volunteer members, it could also help to grow the department.

“You’re going to get that stipend early on in your career, and then you can see it and invest it how you want to invest it,” said Chief Tull. “We’re hoping that it will attract people to want to become a volunteer in the City of Salisbury because they can see how much they’re going to make over so many years. And, it will keep people in the department because they can see the milestones.”