Ohio

One-Time:
Survivors are eligible for benefits under the Ohio Volunteer Fire Fighters' Dependents Fund if the volunteer dies while discharging duties or from exposure or injury received while discharging duties. The spouse receives a lump sum of $1,000 plus $300 per month. Benefits cease upon remarriage. Each child receives a monthly benefit of $125 until age 18 or age 23 if the child is attending a post-secondary educational institution.

Contact: Division of State Fire Marshal, Department of Commerce. 8895 East Main Street, Reynoldsburg, OH 43068. Phone: (614) 752-8200. websfm@com.state.oh.us.

 

A $1,000.00 line of duty death benefit is paid by the Ohio State Firefighters Association to the beneficiary of any OSFA member killed in the line of duty. The benefit will be paid within 24 hours of the OSFA being notified of a line of duty death of a member.

 

Workers Compensation:
Benefit is 2/3 of employee's average weekly wage in their regular employment. This is based on total earnings from all employers during the year prior to the injury. Minimum and maximum amounts apply and are adjusted annually. Upon remarriage, spouse receives a two-year lump sum and benefits terminate. Children are considered dependent until age 18, age 25 if a full-time student, or longer if disabled and incapable of self-support. Benefits do not apply if the firefighter participated in a municipal pension fund and the amount of pension funds provided is not less than the Workers' Compensation benefit. This benefit includes off-duty firefighters responding to inherently dangerous situations regardless of whether they were within the limits of their jurisdiction of regular employment or voluntary service.

Insurance is provided by Volunteer Firemen's Insurance Service of Ohio. Covers accidental death, dismemberment, loss of sight or hearing, cosmetic disfigurement from burns, plastic surgery, additional child dependent/members loss of life, increased death benefit/motor vehicle accident, provides lump sum benefit/permanent physical impairments, additional lifetime weekly benefit/severe permanent impairments, and innovative HIV positive benefit. Ohio State Firefighters' Association (OSFA) members recieve a 15% discount from VFIS on their accident and sickness policies.

 

The OSFA has partnered with AFBA to offer our members a low cost life insurance program, Five Star Group Level Term Life insurance. Important features: No war or terrorism exlusions, no occupation or area restrictions, coverage ON and OFF duty, payment of up to $15,000 Emergency Death Benefit within 24 hours, low cost to members, individuals choose protection desired.

 

Contact: Bureau of Workers' Compensation. 30 West Spring Street, Columbus, OH 43215-2256. Phone: (800) 644-6292. www.ohiobwc.com.

 

Funeral:
Maximum of $3,200 for burial expenses.

Contact: Bureau of Workers' Compensation, 30 West Spring Street, Columbus, OH 43215-2256. Phone: (800) 644-6292. www.ohiobwc.com.

 

Pension:
None.

 

Child's Education:
Ohio Safety Officers College Memorial Fund pays tuition and fees for up to four years of undergraduate study at a state university or college, community college, university branch or technical college. Amount paid to private institution varies depending on the standard tuition of the public institutions. Must be a resident under age 26, or under age 30 if honorably discharged from the Armed Services of the United States.

Each year, the OSFA awards two Fire Science and two Paramedic Scholarhips to members. Each award is in the amount of $2,000. Applications must be submitted by May 30th. All applications must have a letter of recommendation. Applicants must belong to a member deparment or hold invididual memberships.

Contact: Ohio Board of Regents, State Grants and Scholarships Department. 30 East Broad Street, 36th Floor, PO Box 182452, Columbus, OH 43215-3414. Phone: (614) 466-6000 or (888) 833-1133. www.regents.state.oh.us.

 

Spouse's Education:
Ohio Safety Officers College Memorial Fund pays tuition and fees for up to four years of undergraduate study at a state university or college, community college, university branch or technical college. Amount paid to private institution varies depending on the standard tuition of the public institutions.

Contact: Ohio Board of Regents, State Grants and Scholarships Department. 30 East Broad Street, 36th Floor, PO Box 182452, Columbus, OH 43215-3414. Phone: (614) 466-6000 or (888) 833-1133. www.regents.state.oh.us.

 

Support Organizations:
Geauga County Bluecoats, Inc.
PO Box 23721
Chagrin Falls, OH 44023
(440) 729-4488
Serves residents of Geauga County. Financial compensation is distributed to the family after the death, based on the needs in each individual case.

Lake County Blue Coats, Inc.
36100 Euclid Avenue #490
Willouhghby, OH 44094
(440) 953-1818
Serves residents of Lake County. $5,000 awarded to the family immediately following the death.

Bluecoats, Inc. (Cleveland)
621 Hanna Building
1422 Euclid Avenue
Cleveland, OH 44115
(216) 861-7788

Serves residents of Cuyahoga County. Benefits vary.

Stark County Bluecoats
3978 Fulton Drive, NW
Canton, OH 44718
(330) 498-9485
Serves residents of Stark County. Funeral benefit of $5,000-$6,000. Additional financial assistance available based on need.

Training is available through the Department of Public Safety at the Southern Ohio Fire Training Academy for a fee. Financial assistance is available. Some courses may also be taught in local departments.

 

The OFSA sponsors several seminars thorughout the state each year. The host department can either set up their own agenda or the Education Committee will make the arrangments. In either case, the OSFA provides the funding. Student fees for the educational classes include lunch. OSFA members receive a dsicounted enrollment fee.

 

The OSFA is a proud sponsor of the Ohio Youth Fire & EMS Training Academy held every year at Hocking College. Cadets are given first hand exposure to fire fighting and EMS skills. The academy is chartered by the state division of EMS so that, upon successful completion, and when the cadet turns 18, s/he can take the state 36 hour test and become a certified firefighter. OSFA members receive a substantial discount for their cadets.

Contact: Ohio Fire Academy. 8895 East Main Street, Reynoldsburg, Ohio 43068. Phone: (614) 752-7189.