Trainees in the Junior Firefighter Corps shall, after sufficient training, be assigned to appropriate firefighting duties and shall be entitled to a cash allowance to be determined by rules and regulations promulgated by the Director of the Fire Service and approved by the Governor; provided, however, that a minimum weekly attendance for training and instructions shall be complied with by each trainee. The cash allowance authorized herein shall be paid from any annual appropriation provided to the Virgin Islands Fire Service. Notwithstanding any of the foregoing, members of the Junior Firefighter Corps shall not, by virtue of their service as such members, be considered employees of the Government of the Virgin Islands, and shall not be entitled on account of such service to fringe benefits, participation in the Employees Retirement System of the Virgin Islands Government or any similar benefits or program. Trainees of the Junior Firefighter Corps shall, however, be entitled to receive Workers' Compensation Administration benefits in accordance with the provisions of section 282 of Title 24, and payment granted pursuant to the provisions of this section shall not be considered monetary compensation within the meaning of subsection (b) of section 282 of Title 24.