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| Death |
One-Time:
In recent years, this benefit has been increased to $125,000, which is adjusted annually based on the Consumer Price Index. Benefit is provided when the firefighter dies in the performance of duties. The benefit paid is in addition to any from workers' compensation and life insurance.
Contact: Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services. Suite 1000, 300 East Joppa Rd., Towson, MD 21286-3020. Phone: (410) 339-5000 or (877) 379-8636. www.dpscs.state.md.us.
Workers Compensation:
Volunteers in specified counties only are covered as employees while "on duty." Whether or not a volunteer fire, rescue, or EMS Company member is a "covered employee" for purposes of the Maryland Workers Compensation law varies from county to county. Most Companies have policies that cover their members. Wages are computed based upon the wages employee received from other employment or, if not employed, by a set formula. For survivors of eligible workers, benefit is 2/3 of the employee's wages for spouse or spouse with children. Two-year lump-sum payable upon remarriage, and weekly benefits cease. Children receive benefits until age 18 or longer if disabled and incapable of self-support, or until 23 if full-time students. Compensation cannot exceed state's average weekly wage.
Contact: Workers' Compensation Commission. 10 East Baltimore Street, Baltimore, MD, 21202-1641. Phone: (410) 864-5100 or, in Maryland, call (800) 492-0479. www.wcc.state.md.us.
Funeral:
Maximum of $10,000. Reduced by the amount of any Workers' Compensation benefits paid. Workers' Compensation allows up to $5,000. Exceptions to the limit are made if approved by Workers' Compensation.
Contact: Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services. Suite 1000, 300 East Joppa Rd., Towson, MD 21286-3020. Phone: (410) 339-5000 or (877) 379-8636. www.dpscs.state.md.us.
Pension:
Volunteers are not eligible for a pension plan through the State Retirement System, but local departments may have their own pension plans.
Child's Education:
The Edward T. Conroy Memorial Scholarship Program may be used for tuition and mandatory fees not to exceed that of a resident undergraduate at the University of Maryland, College Park. Good for five years of full-time or eight years of part-time study. Must be at least age 16. Covers undergraduate, graduate, and professional studies. This scholarship program is only for an Individual (i.e. career or volunteer member of a fire department, ambulance company or squad, or rescue company or squad) who meets the statutory definition of "disabled in the line of duty" or the child(ren) of that individual or one who was killed in the line of duty.
Contact: Maryland Higher Education Commission, State Scholarship Administration. 839 Bestgate Road, Suite 400, Annapolis, MD 21401. Phone: (410) 260-4500 or (800) 974-0203.
Spouse's Education:
The Edward T. Conroy Memorial Scholarship Program may be used for tuition and mandatory fees not to exceed that of a resident undergraduate at the University of Maryland, College Park. Good for five years of full-time or eight years of part-time study. Covers undergraduate, graduate, and professional studies. Spouse cannot have remarried. This scholarship program is only for the spouse of an individual killed in the line of duty.
Contact: Maryland Higher Education Commission, State Scholarship Administration. 839 Bestgate Road, Suite 400, Annapolis, MD 21401. Phone: (410) 260-4500 or (800) 974-0203.
Support Organizations:
HEROES, Inc.
666 Eleventh Street, NW, Suite 300
Washington, DC 20001
(202) 638-6658
www.heroes-inc.org
Serves families in Montgomery and Prince George?s Counties. Offers $5,000 for immediate expenses; $6,000 for funeral expenses. Further assistance provided shortly after death, including professional counseling. Also provides college scholarship including room and board, tuition, books and associated fees for children and spouses in Prince George?s and Montgomery Counties. Renewable for a total of four years of undergraduate education.
100 Club of Anne Arundel County
4721 Mountain Road
Pasadena, MD 21122
(410)625-6110
Dulaney Valley Memorial Gardens
200 E. Padonia Road
Timonium, MD 21093
(410) 666-0490
Provides burial service, space, casket, and memorial free of charge for any firefighter killed in the line of duty and the surviving spouse.
Maryland State Firemen?s Association
6047 Melbourne Avenue
Deale, MD 20751-9719
(410)867-3658
www.msfa.org
Provides $5,000 and scholarships for children of volunteer firefighters or volunteer ambulance or rescue squad members who die or are disabled by any accident while performing any duties necessary to the operations of the fire company or while actively participating in ambulance or rescue squad work. There is also a monthly stipend paid to disabled volunteer firefighters or rescue squadsmen who are disabled as the result of a line of duty incident, and to the widows and/or minor children of those who die in the line of duty. The MSFA Trustees determine the amount and manner of payment. |
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| Education |
Any member of a fire company who is enrolled in a fire or emergency health services program can get 100% reimbursement of tuition one year after successful completion of each course. |
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| Workers Compensation |
Volunteer firefighters may be considered employees for the purposes of workers' compensation if they are injured as a direct result of actively participating in fighting a fire or traveling to or from a fire. The Board of Trustees of the Maryland State Firemen's Association will determine the amount and manner of payment for such injuries. |
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| Funding |
The Maryland State Firemen's Association administers the Volunteer Company Assistance Fund which is managed by a Board that can award low-interest loans and/or grants to Companies.
Contact: Maryland State Firemen's Association. 6047 Melbourne Avenue, Deale, MD. 20751-9719. Phone: (410) 867-3658.
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| Health |
There is no state benefit. However, some local jurisdictions provide physicals and immunizations. Additionally, most counties provide workers' compensation insurance. |
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| Legal |
N/A |
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| Malpractice |
Fire companies and their personnel are immune from civil liability for any act or omission in the course of performing their duties, except for willful or grossly negligent acts. Exceptions are also made for cases of negligent operation of a motor vehicle. |
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| Retirement |
There is no state program, but approximately half of Maryland counties have Length of Service Awards Programs. |
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| Tax |
Volunteer firefighters are eligible for a state income tax subtraction modification of $3,500. Eligibility for the state income tax subtraction modification is conditioned on certain prerequisites dealing with number of years of service and level of service activity. The state also provides an additional mileage allowance above that allowed on the federal tax return for use of privately-owned vehicles for volunteer services. Volunteers can also include any out-of-pocket expenses incurred by firefighting on their federal and state income tax returns.
Contact: Office of the Comptroller. 301 West Preston Street, Room 206, Baltimore, MD 21201. Phone: (410) 767-1995. |
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| Additional |
Volunteer firefighters are eligible for special license plates. |
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