By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette
During the regular meeting of the Guthrie Center City Council on Nov. 24, Fire Chief Cory Campbell addressed the council to request approval for a Length of Service Award Program (LOSAP) for the city’s firefighters as a way to encourage them to remain on the crew.
Campbell said the fire department has seen a gradual decrease in the number of firefighters. He said the crew is down to 21 members, and he would like to maintain a crew of 30. Campbell explained that the state recently allocated funds to help cities that choose to establish a LOSAP for the firefighters.
“They put approximately $1.5 million into this program,” Campbell said. “It’s a length of service program. Essentially, it’s a 401K for firefighters.”
Campbell explained that firefighters would need to accumulate 100 points for various tasks (attending meetings, going on fire calls, etc.), and only those who tally 100 or more in a year would receive deposits into their accounts. He said if the city allocates funds for LOSAP, the state will provide a 3-1 match, meaning that if the city allocated $167 per firefighter per year, each firefighter’s account could receive another $500.
The council consensus was that it could be an effective way to foster firefighters staying on the crew longer.
“I think it’s a wonderful idea,” Mayor Mike Herbert said.
City Administrator Kris Arrasmith will draft a resolution on the matter for the council to consider at an upcoming meeting.
The council chose to have a second council meeting in December, per the regular schedule. The meeting on Dec. 22 will include the swearing-in of newly elected councilmember Erica Finster, who will replace her father, outgoing member Chuck Cleveland, on the council.
The next regular meeting is set for Monday, Dec. 8 at 6:30 p.m. The public is welcome.