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| Death |
One-Time:
$75,000 awarded for line-of-duty death of any volunteer or paid firefighter. Spouse receives the lump sum if there are no surviving children. If spouse and children survive, amount apportioned equally among all. If no surviving spouse, payment is made to children age 18 or older. If under age 18, children receive $30,000 with $45,000 held in trust and divided into equal accounts until children reach age 18. If no surviving spouse or children, payment shall be made to parents of the deceased. Includes deaths resulting from heart or circulatory malfunction when the symptoms are first medically-treated within 48 hours after participation in the performance of duties or the result of illness, sickness, or injury caused by the performance of duties within 12 months. Certain medical restrictions apply.
Contact: Kentucky Fire Commission. 300 North Main Street, Post Office Box 14092, Lexington, KY 40383. Phone: (800) 782-6823. www.kctcs.net/kyfirecommission
Workers Compensation:
Income benefits based upon the average weekly wage in volunteer's regular employment. If volunteer firefighter?s death results from a work-related injury, spouse receives $54,809 as of 2002. The amount is determined by the date of injury, not the date of death. This benefit is adjusted annually and includes burial expenses. Spouse and certain dependents also are entitled to an income benefit. Benefit is the average weekly wage from regular employment to surviving spouse with no children. Spouse receives 2-year lump sum upon remarriage with cessation of weekly benefits. Benefit is 45% of average weekly wage to spouse with children and additional 15% for each child until the age of 18, or 22 if in college. Surviving children with no surviving parent eligible for other amounts. Other dependent family members eligible for other amounts.
Contact: Kentucky Workers' Compensation, Office of Workers' Claims. 657 Chamberlain Avenue, Frankfort, KY 40601. Phone: (502) 564-5550. http://labor.ky.gov/dwc
Funeral:
All expenses paid.
Contact: Kentucky Workers' Compensation, Office of Workers' Claims. 657 Chamberlain Avenue, Frankfort, KY 40601. Phone: (502) 564-5550. http://labor.ky.gov/dwc
Child's Education:
No matriculation or tuition fees at state-supported university, community college, or vocational training institution. Also covers dependent children, ages 18-22, of firefighters totally disabled in the line of duty.
Contact: Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority. 1050 U.S. 127 South, PO Box 798, Frankfort, KY 40602-0798. Phone: (800) 928-8926.
Spouse's Education:
No matriculation or tuition fees at state-supported university, community college, or vocational training institution. Benefit covers only spouses who do not remarry. Also includes spouses of disabled firefighters.
Contact: Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority. 1050 U.S. 127 South, PO Box 798, Frankfort, KY 40602-0798. Phone: (800) 928-8926.
Support Organizations:
Bluecoats of Louisville, Inc.
44 Calumet Road
Louisville, KY 40207-1505
(502) 895-8809
Provides financial compensation and education assistance for children. Covers Jefferson County.
The One Hundred Club of Eastern Kentucky, Inc.
PO Box 2118
Ashland, KY 41105
(606) 324-6905
Supplies short-term financial assistance based on need. |
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| Education |
Kentucky Community and Technical College System offers 20 hours of training per fire department each year through the Kentucky Commission on Fire Protection, Personnel, Standards, and Education. Other courses are offered at a cost.
Contact: Kentucky Commission on Fire Protection, Personnel, Standards and Education. Phone: 1-800-782-6823. |
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| Workers Compensation |
By state statute, volunteers who suffer a permanent disability in the line of duty are eligible for a monthly payment of $400. This amount may be reduced if the volunteer already has life or health insurance provided at no cost. |
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| Funding |
State grants in the amount of $8,250 are available if the department has over 50% volunteers participating in the state NFIRS plan, and files a request for funds.
Contact: Kentucky Commission on Fire Protection, Personnel, Standards and Education. Phone: 1-800-782-6823. |
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| Health |
Hepatitis B shots are paid for by the Commission on Fire Protection, Personnel, Standards, and Education.
Contact: Kentucky Commission on Fire Protection, Personnel, Standards and Education. Phone: 1-800-782-6823. |
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| Legal |
The Attorney General's Office has defended some firefighters, but there is no program or law requiring defense of firefighters. |
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| Malpractice |
N/A |
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| Retirement |
There is no state-wide program, but several municipalities have defined benefit plans for their volunteers. |
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| Tax |
N/A |
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| Additional |
Volunteer firefighters are eligible for special license plates.
Volunteers cannot be terminated from their regular employment because of tardiness or absences caused by the volunteer responding to a fire prior to the time he or she was supposed to report to work. |
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