| Death |
One-Time:
Effective July 1, 2002, a benefit of $20,000 is available for survivors when a firefighter, while engaged in the performance of official duties, is accidentally or intentionally killed or receives injuries that result in loss of life. Payment is made to the beneficiary who was designated in writing by the covered individual. If no such designation was made, the payment shall be made to the surviving children and spouse in equal portions. If no spouse or children, then payment to the parent or parents. This payment is in addition to any workers' compensation or pension benefits and is exempt from any claims of creditors of the covered individual.
Contact: Mississippi Department of Public Safety. Post Office Box 958, Jackson, MS 39205. Phone: (601) 987-1212. www.dps.state.ms.us
Workers Compensation:
Workers' compensation coverage is required if there are five or more workers. An immediate lump sum of $250 to spouse. If the firefighter received any compensation for services, their dependents are eligible for continuing compensation. A spouse with no children receives 35% of the average wages of the deceased. If there are surviving children, the spouse receives an additional 10% for each child. In case of spouse's remarriage or death, each surviving child shall receive 15% of wages. If there are surviving children but no spouse, each child receives 25% of the wages. None of the payments can exceed the weekly maximum set by statute. Total weekly compensation to beneficiaries for up to 450 weeks.
Contact: Mississippi Workers' Compensation Commission. PO Box 5300, 1428 Lakeland Drive, Jackson, MS 39216-5300. Phone: (601) 987-4200. www.mwcc.state.ms.us
Funeral:
Employer or its insurance carrier obligated to pay funeral expenses of up to $2,000.
Contact: Mississippi Workers' Compensation Commission. PO Box 5300, 1428 Lakeland Drive, Jackson, MS 39216-5300. Phone: (601) 987-4200. www.mwcc.state.ms.us
Child's Education:
Benefit includes tuition, some fees, and average cost of on-campus housing for full-time undergraduate students for eight semesters at state-supported colleges and universities. Eligibility ends at age 23 except for special circumstances. Also applies when line-of-duty injury causes permanent and total disability.
Contact: Mississippi Board of Trustees, State Institutions of Higher Learning. 3825 Ridgewood Road, Jackson, MS 39211. Phone: (601) 432-6647 or (800) 327-2980.
Spouse's Education:
Benefit includes tuition, some fees, and average cost of on-campus housing for full-time undergraduate students for eight semesters at state-supported colleges and universities. Also applies when line-of-duty injury causes permanent and total disability. Benefits end with remarriage.
Contact: Mississippi Board of Trustees, State Institutions of Higher Learning. 3825 Ridgewood Road, Jackson, MS 39211. Phone: (601) 432-6647 or (800) 327-2980.
Support Organizations:
Hundred Club of Jackson
PO Box 9383
Jackson, MS 39206
(601) 981-3836
Provides an immediate check to help pay off expenses. Also provides a $30,000 insurance benefit for firefighters killed in the line of duty.
The Hundred Club of Jones County
714 Hillcrest Drive, PO Box 768
Laurel, MS 39441
(601) 649-5900
Mississippi Firefighters Association
P. O. Box 1185
Natchez, MS 39121
(601) 442-3684
Pays $2,500 immediately to family of firefighter who died in the line of duty and was a member of the Mississippi Firefighters Association and Death Benefit Organization. |
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| Education |
Training is offered by the Mississippi State Fire Academy for a fee. Courses are held at the Academy, as well as some local departments.
Contact: Mississippi Fire Academy. 1 Fire Academy USA, Jackson, MS 39208-9600. Phone: (601) 932-2444. |
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| Workers Compensation |
There is no state program, but some municipalities provide workers' compensation for volunteers injured in the line of duty. |
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| Funding |
The state provides support to cities and counties through a fire insurance rebate program. The funds are derived from a premium tax on the gross sales of all insurance products sold in a given year. These funds are distributed through the Division of Fire Services Development of the Mississippi department of Insurance. In addition, this Division also administers a Rural Fire Truck Acquisition Assistance Grant program, (RFTAAP). Each county can apply for up to 6 fire apparatus meeting the NFPA 1900 Standards For Fire Apparatus. The maximum allotted for each grant is $50,000.
Contact: Division of Fire Services Development, State Fire Coordinator's Office. PO Box 79, Jackson, MS 39205-0079. Phone: (601) 359-1062. |
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| Health |
There is no state program, but some municipalities provide various physical examination and vaccination benefits. |
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| Legal |
None. |
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| Malpractice |
Volunteers who render assistance in an emergency cannot be held liable for any civil damages for personal injury or property damage unless the volunteer engaged in acts or omissions that were intentional, willful, wanton, reckless, grossly negligent, or negligently operated a motor vehicle. |
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| Retirement |
There is no state program, but some of municipalities provide length of service benefits for volunteers at the local level. |
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| Tax |
None. |
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| Additional |
N/A |
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