SENATE LAW AND PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE

 

STATEMENT TO

 

SENATE, No. 132

 

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

 

DATED: MAY 9, 1996

 

      The Senate Law and Public Safety Committee reports favorably Senate Bill No. 132.

      This bill would establish a special reemployment program for civilian federal firefighters who were laid off as a result of the federal government's decision to close several U.S. military installations in New Jersey.

      The program established under this bill is patterned on the reemployment program the Department of Personnel currently coordinates for laid-off law enforcement officers pursuant to P.L.1991, c.299 (C.40A:14-180).

      Under the provisions of the bill, federally trained civilian federal firefighters who have lost their jobs due to the closure of a U.S. military installation in New Jersey would be eligible for preferential appointment and reemployment opportunities by municipalities. The Department of Personnel would prepare and circulate among potential municipal employers a list of these laid-off civilian federal firefighters. To ensure that the list of eligible firefighters is as comprehensive as possible, the department would consult with the organizations representing the civilian federal firefighters.

      This priority hiring program is designed to benefit both local governmental units seeking to employ trained and experienced firefighters, and unemployed, qualified firefighters who are seeking employment.