This past Tuesday, Floral Park residents voted 359 to 24 in favor of the proposed changes to the current fire department service award program for volunteer firefighters, intended to help local volunteer departments attract new members and help retain existing ones.

State legislation passed in 1989 established laws that, for the first time, permitted local governments to offer a service award program for their local fire and medical emergency volunteers contingent upon approval of the residents via a public referendum.

Back in 1993, village residents supported and voted for the current service award program, which went into effect in 1994. The approved plan authorized an annual contribution by the village of $450 on behalf of each volunteer who earned the required service credit points, obtained by responding to calls and attending training/seminars, drills and meetings. In order to qualify, each volunteer must earn 50 points per year.

Although the program allowed for a $450 contribution, the original legislation put a cap on the amount of the annual contribution of $480 per volunteer. Legislation passed last September, however, allowed for an increase of up to $700 per volunteer achieving the required points.

In 2004, the department formed a committee to review the new changes. The committee then made a presentation to the village board in December 2004. Trustees requested an actuarial study be performed to determine what financial impact the new changes would have on residents. As a result of the study, the board and fire department agreed upon a phase-in program to be presented to residents. Trustees adopted a resolution Aug. 16 of this year, proposing to increase the contribution in two phases - to $575 in 2006 and the maximum of $700 in 2007.

The referendum advised the public of the maximum cost based on full participation of the current membership of 158 volunteers. The current maximum annual contribution is 158 volunteers multiplied by $450, which equals $71,100.

The newly approved maximum contribution for service credit points earned in 2006 is 158 volunteers multiplied by $575, which equals $90,850. Further, the newly approved maximum contribution for service credit points earned in 2007 and thereafter is 158 volunteers multiplied by $700, which equals $110,600.

Maximum participation by volunteers will increase the village budget by $19,750 each year for the next two years. To fund this increase, the tax rate will increase by $1 per year for the fiscal years 2006-07 and 2007-08. The cost to the average taxpayer based on an assessment of $35,500 is $3.55 each year.

The Floral Park Fire Department, which provides fire protection and medical response 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year, is 100 percent volunteer. Five companies comprise the department: Hook & Ladder Company; Alert Engine Company; Reliance Engine Company; Active Engine Company; and Rescue Company.