Sec. 1. No member of a fire department in any city or town in this state having a population of not less than 900,000 nor more than 950,000 shall be involuntarily retired prior to reaching the mandatory retirement age set for such cities’ employees unless he is physically unable to perform his duties. In the event he is physically unable to perform his duties, he shall be allowed to use all of his accumulated sick leave, before retirement.

Sec. 2. As used in this Act, “the last preceding federal census” means the 1970 census or any future decennial federal census. This is despite any legislation that has been or may be enacted during any session of the 62nd Legislature delaying the effectiveness of the 1970 census for general State and local governmental purposes.