Friday, June 29, 2001
Friday, June 29, 2001 |
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Retirement package for PTC's public safety personnel is being studied by committee
By JOHN
MUNFORD
A specialized retirement program for public safety employees in Peachtree City is being studied to take into account the physical wear and tear of normal duties on emergency medical and police personnel. A committee has been studying the issue for several months and reported on its progress to the City Council at a workshop meeting Thursday. While the study is not complete, it was recommended that council attempt to fund at least seed money for the program in its upcoming budget. Lt. Ron Mundy, chairman of the committee studying the program, said that currently the city's retirement system penalizes any employee who retires before the age of 65. A new program could, for example, allow public safety employees to retire with full benefits at age 55, Mundy suggested. The new program could require the employees to "chip in" to help fund its payment, Mundy suggested. It is also suggested that the city provide coverage for the retirees medical care until it is assumed by medicare. Currently, city employees who retire at the age of 55 receive half of the early retirement fund they would normally be entitled to if they worked until 65. Studies have revealed that firefighters over the age of 55 are five times more likely to die from a heart attack than fire-related trauma, he noted. Much of this is due to the stress of performing their job over the years, Mundy said. Also, the life expectancy of public safety officers is shorter because of the stress related to firefighting and police duties, Mundy noted. The current average age of the department's employees is 37. That's partly due to strict guidelines used in hiring employees, requiring they be experienced with certain certifications for firefighters, emergency medical technicians and paramedics, Mundy said. The issue of creating special retirement plans for public safety employees is a growing trend nationwide, Mundy said. Fire Chief Stony Lohr said the committee should have its recommendations to council finalized by October.
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