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| Death |
One-Time:
$75,000 is paid to the beneficiary if death occurred as a direct or proximate result of performance of duty. If death was caused by a respiratory disease, hypertension, heart disease, or some forms of cancer, it may be presumed to be duty-related if it occurs out of or in the course of employment or within five years after retirement. In these cases, the beneficiary shall be entitled to receive the sum of $25,000.
Contact: Office of the Comptroller. Department of Accounts, The James Madison Building, 101 N. 14th Street, 2nd Floor, PO Box 1971, Richmond, VA 23218-1971. Phone: (804) 225-3038.
Workers Compensation:
Volunteer firefighters are considered employees if they are designated as such by their political subdivisions or if their companies elect to cover volunteers. When they are deemed employees, the average weekly wage shall be deemed sufficient to produce the minimum compensation. Benefit is 2/3 of employee's average weekly wage. Minimum and maximum amounts apply and are adjusted annually. Benefits continue for a period of 500 weeks from the date of injury and are divided equally among total dependents. Dependents include surviving spouse and children under age 18, under age 23 if a full-time student, or longer if disabled. Stepchildren are eligible for benefits. Upon remarriage, spousal benefits are terminated and shall be divided among the children or other dependents.
Contact: Virginia Workers' Compensation Commission. 1000 DMV Drive, Richmond, VA 23220. Phone: (804) 367-8600 or (877) 664-2566. www.vwc.state.va.us.
Funeral:
Maximum of $10,000 for burial expenses, plus up to $1,000 for transportation of the deceased.
Contact: Virginia Workers' Compensation Commission. 1000 DMV Drive, Richmond, VA 23220. Phone: (804) 367-8600 or (877) 664-2566. www.vwc.state.va.us.
Pension:
The pension benefit applies only to members of the Volunteer Firefighters' & Rescue Squad Workers' Service Award Program. The amount the deceased firefighter contributed to the fund will be given to the beneficiary in a lump-sum payment upon death. Death benefits are payable to the spouse, or equally to the children if no spouse survives. The program is not yet funded.
Contact: Volunteer Firefighters' & Rescue Squad Workers' Service Award Program. 9020 Stony Point Parkway, Suite 200, Richmond, VA 23235. Phone: (804) 267-3116 or the Department's VOLSAP representative.
Child's Education:
Undergraduate tuition and required educational and auxiliary fees waived for children aged 16-25 at any public institution of higher learning in Virginia.
Contact: State Council of Higher Education for Virginia. James Monroe Building, 101 N. Fourteenth Street, Richmond, VA 23219. Phone: (804) 225-2600. www.schev.edu.
Spouse's Education:
Undergraduate tuition and required educational and auxiliary fees waived for spouses at any public institution of higher learning in Virginia.
Contact: State Council of Higher Education for Virginia. James Monroe Building, 101 N. Fourteenth Street, Richmond, VA 23219. Phone: (804) 225-2600. www.schev.edu.
Support Organizations:
HEROES, Inc.
666 Eleventh Street NW, Suite 300
Washington, DC 20001
(202) 638-6658
www.heroes-inc.org
Serves surviving families in Fairfax and Arlington Counties, as well as the cities of Alexandria, Fairfax, and Falls Church. $5,000 for immediate expenses; $6,000 for funeral expenses. Further assistance provided shortly after death. Professional counseling provided for family members. Scholarships are available to the children and spouse of a deceased firefighter and may include room and board, tuition, books, and fees; renewable each year for four years of undergraduate education.
Virginia Public Safety Foundation
1604 Santa Rosa Road, Suite 115
Richmond, VA 23229
(804) 282-0148
nvpsf@earthlink.net
www.vpsf.org
Provides immediate financial assistance to the families of firefighters killed in the line of duty. Educational grants available to children and spouses. The grant may cover room and board or books (those expenses which the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia does not cover). Grief counseling and legal services also available. |
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| Education |
Department of Fire Programs provides training courses in area offices and also maintains a video library.
Contact: Division of Training and Operations, Virginia Department of Fire Programs. 1500 Main Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219. Phone: ( 804) 786-8895. Fax: (804) 786-9945. |
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| Workers Compensation |
Volunteer firefighters may be considered employees of the municipality with regards to workers' compensation if the municipality has adopted a resolution allowing this. In this case, they are eligible for disability pensions depending on the severity and permanence of the injury. |
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| Funding |
The Volunteer Firefighters' and Rescue Squad Workers' Service Award Fund. 1% of fire-related insurance coverage is placed in the Virginia Fire Programs Fund, which administrates a variety of grants. 75% of this fund goes directly to cities, towns and counties for training, equipment, protective clothing and training centers.
Contact: Virginia Department of Fire Programs. 1005 Technology Park Drive, Glen Allen, VA 23059-4500. Phone: (804) 371-0220. Fax: (804) 371-3444. |
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| Health |
There is no state program; some local jurisdictions provide physicals and immunizations. |
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| Legal |
N/A |
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| Malpractice |
By state statute, firefighters who provide emergency care without compensation are not liable for any resulting civil damages from acts or omissions. However, there is no immunity from liability arising out of the operation of a motor vehicle. |
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| Retirement |
Volunteer firefighters may receive a pension from the Volunteer Firefighters' and Rescue Squad Workers' Service Award Fund. The amount of the monthly pension is dependent upon the amount the volunteer paid into the fund, the amount paid into the fund on his behalf and his number of years of creditable service. Retirement age is 60. |
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| Tax |
N/A |
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| Additional |
Firefighters who are also emergency medical technicians or paramedics are eligible for special license plates. The fee is $1. |
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