The governing body of any municipality, by ordinance, may adopt a schedule of hours of actual duty for the members and officers of a paid or part-paid fire department and force based upon an average of 56 hours per week in any 6-week cycle, but in cases of emergency the officials in charge shall have authority to retain any uniformed member or officer on duty during the period of the emergency, and in any such case and within 12 months thereafter such member or officer shall be given hours off from the average of 56 hours per week in any 6-week cycle to compensate him for the extra hours served by him during such emergency.

Any such ordinance shall be inoperative unless and until it shall be submitted to and adopted by the legal voters of the municipality at a primary or general election or an election held for such purpose.

Said adoption may be submitted as a public question in the manner prescribed by law, by resolution of the governing body or by filing with the governing body a petition for such submission, signed by at least 10% of the registered voters of the municipality. The question shall be submitted substantially on the ballot as follows:

Insert the name of the municipality and state the question. “Shall the ordinance providing that the uniformed members and officers of its fire department and force shall be maintained in such manner as to provide that no member or officer thereof shall be required to remain on duty in excess of 56 hours per week in any 6-week cycle except in cases of emergency be adopted?”

If a majority of the legal voters voting on such question vote in favor of the adoption, the ordinance on and after January 1 following such election shall become operative.

L.1971, c. 197, s. 1, eff. July 1, 1971.