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| Death |
One-Time:
For deaths arising out of and in the course of assigned duties or while traveling to or returning from an alarm or call, the state pays designated beneficiary $150,000 in annual installments. No single annual payment shall exceed $30,000.
Contact: Delaware Department of Insurance Commission. 841 Silver Lake Boulevard, Dover, DE 19904. Phone: (302) 674-7300.
Workers Compensation:
Benefit is 2/3 of the firefighter's wages from regular employment for spouses and 80% for a spouse and children. Spouse receives a two-year lump sum upon remarriage and weekly benefits cease. Children are eligible until age 18 or age 25 if full-time students.
Contact: Industrial Accident Board, Division of Industrial Affairs, Dept. of Labor, Office of the Secretary. Post Office Box 9954, Wilmington, DE 19809-9954. Phone: (302)761-8200.
Funeral:
Maximum of $6,000 for a member of a volunteer fire company, ladies auxiliary, or volunteer ambulance and rescue company. Volunteer must have been an active member for at least 10 years of service.
Contact: Office of Pensions. McArdle Building, 860 Silver Lake Boulevard, Suite 1, Dover, DE 19904-2402. Phone: (302) 739-4208 or (800) 722-7300.
Pension:
Covered under Delaware Volunteer Firemen?s Pension Plan. Designated beneficiary receives a lump sum death benefit equal to the excess, if any, of the accumulated contributions with interest over the aggregate. The amount of the monthly pension payable to an eligible member shall be $5 multiplied by the number of years of credited service up to a maximum of 25 years.
Contact: Office of Pensions. McArdle Building, 860 Silver Lake Boulevard, Suite 1, Dover, DE 19904-2402. Phone: (302) 739-4208 or (800) 722-7300.
Child's Education:
State Treasurer pays for tuition for dependent children enrolled in a degree or certificate program at a college or university. The benefit has a four-year maximum. Beneficiaries must be at least age 16 but not more than age 24.
Contact: Commission of Insurance. Rodney Bldg., 841 Silver Lake Blvd., Dover, DE 19904. Phone: (302) 739-4251 or (800) 282-8611.
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| Education |
Training is conducted at three county training centers by the Delaware State Fire School for a fee. Courses include Basic, Staff & Command, Tactical Officer training and others.
The State Firemen's Association funds a college scholarship program. Scholarships are awarded to students pursuing a degree in an emergency services field.
Contact: State Fire School. 1461 Chestnut Grove Rd., Dover, De. 19904. Phone: (302) 739-4773.
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| Workers Compensation |
Volunteers receive payments for disabilities received in the line of duty, including traveling to and from rescue operations. Those with permanent disabilities receive $500 per month plus an additional $50 per month for each child under the age of 18. Amount may be reduced if the volunteer receives payment for the same disability from another governmental organization.
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| Funding |
A percentage of fire insurance premiums is deposited in the Delaware Volunteer Fire Service Revolving Loan Fund. These funds are allocated to fire departments based on need and other considerations to upgrade equipment and improve facilities.
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| Health |
State Department of Public Health provides Hepatitis C shots. Some volunteers may also qualify for flu shots. Additionally, the state legislature partially funds a "Critical Incident Stress Management" program, which provides services to volunteers and members of the ladies' auxiliary.
Only paid employees of volunteer fire departments can receive health insurance through the state.
Contact: Delaware Department of Health and Social Services, Division of Public Health. 417 Federal Street, Jesse Cooper Building, Dover, DE 19901. Phone: (302) 255-9040 or (302) 744-4700. FAX: (302) 255-4429.
Delaware General Assembly. Legislative Hall, Dover. DE. 19901. Phone: (302) 744-4114.
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| Legal |
The state does not have to provide legal defense. If found liable, employees of the state must not pay damages of greater than $300,000 for any single occurrence.
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| Malpractice |
Volunteers are exempt from liability for any damages alleged to have been sustained while the volunteer was giving aid. Volunteers are only liable if the damages were caused willfully, wantonly, recklessly, or by gross negligence.
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| Retirement |
Volunteers receive $5 per month for each year of service. Vesting is 100% with 10 years of service. Maximum number of years of service credit is 25. Volunteer must reach 60 with 10 years credit. Each fire company pays into the pension plan an actuarial defined amount yearly for each member they place on the pension roles and a company assessment.
Contact: Delaware Office of Pensions. McArdle Building, 860 Silver Lake Blvd., Suite #1, Dover, DE 19904-2402. Phone: (302) 739-4208. Toll Free: (800) 722-7300. Fax: (302) 739-6129.
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| Tax |
Active members of a fire department or ladies' auxiliary are eligible for a $300 state income tax credit.
Contact: Delaware Division of Revenue, Personal Income Tax Assistance, Thomas Collins Building, 540 South Dupont Highway, Dover, DE 19901. Phone: (302) 577-8200.
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| Additional |
Members of a volunteer fire department are eligible to use the Delaware Blood Bank and the Delaware Federal Credit Union. Volunteer firefighters are eligible for special license plates.
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