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| Death |
One-Time:
Survivor receives $25,000.
Contact: Public Employee's Retirement System (PERS). 1712 Ninth Avenue, P. O. Box 200131, Helena, MT 59620-0131. Phone: (406) 444-3154 or (800) ASK-PERB.
Workers Compensation:
The trustees and/or governing body may elect to include any volunteer firefighter. A volunteer firefighter who receives workers' compensation coverage may not receive disability benefits. Benefit is 2/3 of employee's wage. The spouse receives the benefit for 500 weeks or until remarriage. Unmarried children receive benefits until age 18 or later if disabled, or until age 22 if full-time students or enrolled in an accredited apprenticeship program.
Contact: Montana Department of Labor and Industry. 1327 Lockey, PO Box 1728, Helena, MT 59624. Phone: (406) 444-2840.
Funeral:
Maximum burial benefit is $4,000 under Workers' Compensation. Volunteers may receive up to $1,500 under PERS.
Contact: Public Employee's Retirement System (PERS). 1712 Ninth Avenue, P. O. Box 200131, Helena, MT 59620-0131. Phone: (406) 444-3154 or (800) ASK-PERB.
Pension:
Volunteer firefighters are covered under Volunteer Firefighters' Compensation Act (VFCA). Survivors receive a one-time death payment of $25,000 as listed above and a minimum $2,000 payment.
Contact: Public Employee's Retirement System (PERS). 1712 Ninth Avenue, P. O. Box 200131, Helena, MT 59620-0131. Phone: (406) 444-3154 or (800) ASK-PERB.
Child's Education:
Benefit waives registration and incidental fees for the surviving child of any Montana firefighter killed in the course and scope of employment. Regents may waive tuition.
Contact: Enrollment Services, Lommasson Center, University of Montana. Admissions, 32 Campus Drive, PO Box 172180, Bozeman, MT 59812. Phone: (406) 243-6266.
Spouse's Education:
Benefit waives registration and incidental fees for the surviving spouse of any Montana firefighter killed in the course and scope of employment. Regents may waive tuition.
Contact: Enrollment Services, Lommasson Center, University of Montana. Admissions, 32 Campus Drive, PO Box 172180, Bozeman, MT 59812. Phone: (406) 243-6266.
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| Education |
Members of a Montana Fire Department may attend the Fire Services Training School Fire Academy for a reduced rate. Departments that pay an annual membership fee to the Fire Services Training School may use the lending library for training resources.
Contact: Montana State University Extension Service, Fire Services Training School. 750 6th Street SW, Suite 205, Great Falls, Montana 59404. Phone: (406) 761-7885. |
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| Workers Compensation |
Volunteer firefighters are eligible for workers' compensation so long as the trustees of the fire district or the county choose to include them as employees. In this case, the volunteer's wages for the purposes of determining a disability benefit are considered to be the state average weekly wage multiplied by the number of volunteer hours divided by forty hours, subject to the state minimums and maximums. |
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| Funding |
N/A |
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| Health |
N/A |
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| Legal |
N/A |
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| Malpractice |
Volunteer firefighters are not liable for any civil damages for acts or omissions of emergency care other than damages caused by gross negligence or by willful or wanton acts or omissions. |
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| Retirement |
Volunteer Firefighters Compensation Act offers pension after 20 years credited service at age 55 or partial benefit at 10 year service and age 60. Monthly lifetime benefit of $7.50 per year of service. Five percent insurance premium tax is used as a source of funding.
Contact: Montana Public Employees Retirement Association. 100 N Park Avenue Suite 200, PO Box 200131, Helena, MT 59620-0131. Phone: (406) 444-3154. |
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| Tax |
N/A |
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| Additional |
N/A |
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