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Old Saybrook trustees approve requirement that volunteer firefighters respond to at least 30 incidents to earn a pension year
Summary
The pension trustees voted unanimously to amend the town's fire pension plan so that, in addition to earning 150 points, a member must respond to a minimum of 30 incidents in a calendar year to have that year count toward pension eligibility; the change will go to the Board of Selectmen for final approval.
Old Saybrook pension trustees unanimously approved an amendment to the town's fire pension plan requiring volunteer firefighters to respond to at least 30 incidents in a calendar year for that year to count toward pension eligibility.
The change, presented to trustees by JT, codifies a response minimum alongside the existing requirement that members earn 150 points during the year. JT told trustees the department averages about 500 calls a year and estimated the change would affect "three to five people per year," while the department hopes it will in practice affect no one because most members will meet the threshold.
Trustees asked about comparability with other departments and how the bylaw and pension plan interact. JT said the department reviews bylaws every five years and that the pension plan specifically references those bylaws, so the pension document must be amended to avoid conflict. He described the practical point system used by the department — three points per call, six points for training sessions longer than six hours, and one point for work details — and said the 30-call minimum is intended to ensure pension years are tied to responding to emergencies.
The draft as presented also includes an exception process: members who meet the 150-point total but fall short of 30 incidents because of extraordinary circumstances (for example, injury) may request a waiver from the chief. Trustees discussed the waiver language and ensured the chief would have a documented process for granting extraordinary waivers.
A motion to amend the pension plan to add the 30-incident requirement was moved, seconded and approved unanimously. The trustees recorded that the amendment will be forwarded to the Board of Selectmen for their consideration and final approval.
What happens next: the amendment as voted by the pension trustees will be submitted to the Board of Selectmen for final action; the trustees noted the change is intended to encourage turnout and align pension benefits more closely with operational response.
