Wisconsin Administrative Code Volunteer Fire Fighter and Emergency Medical Technician Service Award Board
The Wisconsin Administrative Code pertaining to the Volunteer Fire Fighter and Emergency Medical Technician Service Award Board governs the state's Service Award Program (formerly known as the Length of Service Award Program, or LOSA). This program is designed to provide a tax-deferred benefit to volunteer fire fighters, first responders, and emergency medical technicians to help municipalities retain their volunteer personnel.
The administrative rules for this Board are currently found under Chapter Adm 95 of the Wisconsin Administrative Code. This chapter was originally created as Chapter VFF-EMT 1 but was later renumbered.
Key aspects covered in Adm 95 typically include:
Purpose and Definitions: Outlines the objectives of the Service Award Program and defines key terms such as "VFF-EMT" (Volunteer Fire Fighter, Emergency Medical Technician, or First Responder), "participating municipality," "program administrator," and "prior service."
Participating Municipalities: Details the eligibility criteria for municipalities to participate in the program, including requirements for passing a resolution or ordinance and establishing standards for volunteer service.
Participant Eligibility and Service Credit: Specifies how volunteers earn service credit, including criteria for annual contributions and recognition of prior service. It also covers rules for leaves of absence and transferring service credits between participating municipalities.
State and Municipal Contributions: Explains the state's matching contribution to the program, which is typically capped and adjusted annually, and the requirements for municipal contributions.
Program Administration: Rules regarding the board's responsibilities, the certification of program vendors (administrators), and the general oversight of the program.
Vesting and Benefit Distribution: Outlines when a volunteer becomes vested in their service award account, the conditions for receiving partial or full awards (e.g., age, years of service), and provisions for disability or line-of-duty death benefits.
Forfeiture and Redistribution: Rules on what happens to funds if a participant forfeits their award (e.g., funds being redistributed pro-rata among remaining participants).
How to Access the Wisconsin Administrative Code for the Volunteer Fire Fighter and Emergency Medical Technician Service Award Board:
The most authoritative source for the current Wisconsin Administrative Code is the Wisconsin Legislature's website:
Go to docs.legis.wisconsin.gov.
Look for "Wisconsin Administrative Code" in the navigation.
Navigate to Chapter Adm 95 (under the Department of Administration, which now oversees these rules after the renumbering from VFF-EMT 1).
You can also find information and links on the Wisconsin Department of Administration (DOA) website, specifically under their "Service Award Program" section. This page often provides a helpful overview, contact information, and links to the relevant administrative rules and statutes.
It's important to use the most current version of the administrative code, as rules can be updated. The legislative website is generally the best place for the official, up-to-date text.
RELATED Blog
0 comments