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Vienna council approves education incentive policy for volunteer firefighters
Summary
Council adopted a policy offering up to $1,000 per year in tuition/fee reimbursement to members of the Vienna Volunteer Fire Department, with $10,000 set aside in the coming budget year to start the program; the benefit can be used by members or deferred to qualifying spouses or dependents.
The Vienna City Council adopted a resolution establishing an education incentive policy for members of the Vienna Volunteer Fire Department intended to support recruitment and retention.
Under the new policy, eligible volunteer firefighters who remain in good standing may receive up to $1,000 per year in reimbursement for tuition, fees or continuing-education costs; the benefit can be applied to the member, the spouse or dependent children. The council set aside $10,000 in funds for the coming budget year to support the program, and staff said members may begin submitting receipts in July for reimbursement under the policy.
A council member said the reimbursement is intended as a supplemental recruitment and retention incentive, not to convert volunteers into employees; legal and ethics advice had been sought and the policy does not create employment status. The fire chief (identified generically in the transcript as “Chief”) described department members as "dedicated people." The council approved the resolution unanimously by voice vote.
