8 May, 1986 (~estimated)

Squads aid bills clear Assembly panel 

TRENTON — A package of bills designed to boost the ranks of volunteer fire departments and rescue squads cleared an Assembly committee Thursday. 

Assemblyman Thomas Shusted (R-Camden), who chairs the Assembly Law, Public Safety, Defense and Corrections Committee, said the bills would “give much-deserved recognition and reward to those individuals who donate so much of their time to helping others.” 

The legislation would provide $10 million in low-interest loans to volunteer organizations for emergency vehicles and equipment, increase the annual funds municipalities may appropriate to fire companies from $45,000 to $60,000, provide a tax credit to employers who give employees time off to respond to emergency calls, and allow school board employees who serve in volunteer organizations to take off work to respond to calls. 

Other bills would extend workers’ compensation for first aid and rescue squad members to include travel to and from calls, study the feasibility for a emergency workers pension program, and designate the third Sunday in May as Police, Firemen, and First Aid Recognition Day. 

The bills now go to the full Assembly for consideration.