HARFORD COUNTY, MD—Harford County Executive Barry Glassman on Friday waived this year’s point-requirement for fire and EMS volunteers working toward their retirement benefits in the county’s Length of Service Award Program, or LOSAP.

LOSAP is a vital recruitment and retention tool for volunteer first responders. To qualify, participants must earn 50 points per year for a total of 25 years through activities including trainings and public events.

Because many of these activities have been canceled this spring due to the COVID-19 pandemic, County Executive Glassman issued an executive order to waive the 50-point requirement and deem all participants qualified for the year October 2019 to September 2020.

County Executive Glassman is a former EMT with the Level Volunteer Fire Company and an honoree in the Maryland State Firemen’s Association Hall of Fame.

“Our volunteer firefighters and EMTs are on the front lines in emergencies and the LOSAP program helps us attract and retain these critical first responders,” County Executive Glassman said. “Waiving this year’s requirement will help them continue to earn retirement benefits and stay with Harford County for years to come.”