Paramus Passes Tiered Stipend Increase for Volunteer Firefighters: First Boost Since 2020
photo courtesy of the Paramus Fire Department
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Paramus NJ, In a major move to support local first responders and protect municipal taxpayers, Paramus Mayor Christopher DiPiazza and the Borough Council officially approved an updated monthly stipend plan for the Paramus Volunteer Fire Department.
The ordinance marks the first stipend increase for local volunteer firefighters in six years. Following initial re-introduction in July 2026, the final reading was formally approved at the August 19, 2026, Council meeting.
“For the taxpayers here, it’s so important to have a vibrant volunteer fire department, not just for the obvious reasons for when danger happens to our homes or our businesses, but also, quite frankly, the financial impact of having a volunteer fire department, and how it being so vibrant helps the town and helps the taxes,” Mayor DiPiazza stated.
The New Stipend Breakdown: How the Tier System Works
Under the updated municipal code, volunteer firefighters earn quarterly stipend payouts based on their monthly call response percentages.
Previously, members received an $800 monthly allowance for responding to 40% or more of calls. The newly approved structure introduces three distinct incentive tiers:
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Tier 1 (50%+ Call Response): $1,100 per month (Increased from the initially proposed $1,000 in June).
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Tier 2 (40% to 49% Call Response): $900 per month.
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Tier 3 (30% to 39% Call Response): $200 per month.
Stipends are totaled at the end of each calendar quarter and paid during the first pay period of the following month. For example, earnings from July through September will be issued at the final Council meeting in October.
Updated Training Requirements & Off-Site Credits
To qualify for monthly allowances, firefighters must meet strict department training criteria:
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Departmental Training: Members must attend a minimum of two departmental training sessions per month for each stipend earned (updating the previous requirement of six quarterly Monday-night sessions).
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Approved Off-Site Credits: Firefighters attending classes at the Bergen County Fire Academy, Bergen County EMS Training Center, or other certified facilities receive full credit toward their monthly training quota, provided they receive advance approval from their Captain or Chief.
“Giving a stipend increase is the least we can do, and we do it enthusiastically, because every member of the fire department lives in town and is dedicated to this town,” added DiPiazza.
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