Firefighter Stipend Program Established To Recruit, Retain In Mahwah

MAHWAH, NJ — In an effort to encourage recruitment and retention of members of the Mahwah Fire Department, the township has established a stipend program to compensate volunteer firefighters for their service, an ordinance approved last week by the Council said.

"Mahwah holds deep gratitude for the volunteer firefighters and the devotion such firefighters exhibit on a daily basis by putting their lives in jeopardy for residents and businesses in the township," the ordinance said.

A "draft" of the ordinance came under some scrutiny at the Aug. 25 Council meeting for containing text that purportedly did not belong there, Patch previously reported. At last week's meeting, Council members passed the ordinance, expressing their gratitude to the fire department for their work to review the plan, and stating that they hope the program is a success.

"Fingers crossed that it works," Council President David May said of the program that will soon go into effect.

Only firefighters assigned to and riding in emergency vehicles who pass a respirator fit test and / or are certified as a fire apparatus driver are eligible for the program, which will offer quarterly stipends directly to eligible members. Auxiliary and affiliate members are not eligible.

"We are looking forward to the success of the program as a model moving forward," Council member Jonathan Wong said at the meeting. "It is going to be great."