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| Death |
One-Time:
The benefit is equal to 40% of amount provided by the Public Safety Officers' Benefits (PSOB) program. The state benefit provided is currently $104,840 and is adjusted annually. The firefighter must have died from injuries received while in the performance of his or her duties. Beneficiaries include the surviving spouse and, if there is no surviving spouse, the child or children of the firefighter. If there is no surviving spouse or children, the parents are eligible, if they were at least 50 percent financially dependent on the firefighter.
Contact: Department of Labor and Training, Police & Fire Relief Fund. 1511 Pontiac Avenue, Cranston, RI 02920. Phone: (401) 462-8855.
Workers Compensation:
None. State statute 28-29-2 specifically excludes volunteers and any members of regularly organized fire departments.
Contact: Department of Labor and Training, Workers' Compensation Division. 1151 Pontiac Avenue, Cranston, RI 02920. Phone: (401) 462-8000.
Pension:
There is no pension plan, but there is a special program through the Relief of Injured and Deceased Fire Fighters and Police Officers. If a volunteer firefighter is killed or dies from injuries received while in the performance of his or her duty as a member or dies of a heart condition, respiratory ailments, or any condition derived from hypertension while still a member. Benefit of $3,600 a year is paid to a spouse as long as the spouse does not remarry. An additional $1,200 a year is paid to the spouse for each child under age 18 or disabled and incapable of self-support. Law makes provisions for other possible situations. Amounts are not affected by contributions from other sources. The program is funded by the state.
Contact: Department of Labor and Training, Police & Fire Relief Fund. 1511 Pontiac Avenue, Cranston, RI 02920. Phone: (401) 462-8855.
Child's Education:
There is a tuition waiver for undergraduate education at state colleges or universities. The student must start college between ages 16 and 21. The benefit is available for the normal period of time for completing the course of study, up to four consecutive years.
Contact: Department of Labor and Training, Police & Fire Relief Fund. 1511 Pontiac Avenue, Cranston, RI 02920. Phone: (401) 462-8855.
100 Club of Rhode Island, Inc.
Executive Director: Frank N. DiMarzo
928 Providence Street
West Warwick, RI 02893-1145
(401) 823-1983
$10,000 immediately given to the spouse or children. Dependent children receive an education benefit of $2,000 per year. Children under age 18 receive an annual $1,000 bond in July. |
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| Education |
The Fire Education and Training Coordinating Board coordinates state-wide training.
Also, the state of Rhode Island will pay the tuition of totally and permanently disabled firefighters attending the University of Rhode Island, Rhode Island College or any other state-operated college or university.
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| Workers Compensation |
Members of volunteer fire companies who are partially or wholly incapacitated by line-of-duty injuries can receive a regular monthly payment of $100 or less from the Board of Firefighters' Relief. |
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| Funding |
By state statute, municipalities are permitted to provide funding to any volunteer fire company for equipment, property, salaries,
or other expenses relating to the work of extinguishing fires. |
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| Health |
Any active firefighter who may come in contact with Hepatitis B in the course of service to the fire department may request to be vaccinated. The Department of Health conducts a series of vaccination clinics throughout the state. |
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| Legal |
N/A |
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| Malpractice |
No person who voluntarily and gratuitously renders emergency assistance to a person in need is liable for civil damages for any personal injuries, except in cases of gross, willful, or wanton negligence. |
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| Retirement |
None. |
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| Tax |
N/A |
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| Additional |
The state provides a medal and certificate to any firefighter who saves a human life in Rhode Island. |
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