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| Death |
One-Time:
As of fiscal year 2003, the benefit amount is $152,000 for all public jurisdiction firefighters killed as a result of injuries received or sickness contracted in the performance of duties. Line-of-duty death amount is subject to annual cost-of-living adjustment.
Contact: State Board for Volunteer Fire Fighters and Reserve Officers. 605 E. 11th Avenue #112, PO Box 114, Olympia, WA 98507. Phone: (360) 753-7318 or (877) 753-7318. www.bvff.wa.gov.
Workers Compensation:
Medical bills related to a firefighter's work-related injuries or death are paid.
Contact: State Board for Volunteer Fire Fighters and Reserve Officers. 605 E. 11th Avenue #112, PO Box 114, Olympia, WA 98507. Phone: (360) 753-7318 or (877) 753-7318. www.bvff.wa.gov.
Funeral:
The funeral voucher is set at a maximum of $2000.
Contact: State Board for Volunteer Fire Fighters and Reserve Officers. 605 E. 11th Avenue #112, PO Box 114, Olympia, WA 98507. Phone: (360) 753-7318 or (877) 753-7318. www.bvff.wa.gov.
Pension:
The Line-of-duty death survivor spouse pension has a pop-up and cost-of-living adjustment provision. As of September 2003 the line-of-duty death surviving spouse pension is $1,378.60 with an additional $118.94 for each child under the age of 18. There is an additional provision for parents if there are no surviving spouse or children. The Maximum benefit is $2,550 per month. Benefits cease upon remarriage.
Contact: State Board for Volunteer Fire Fighters and Reserve Officers. 605 E. 11th Avenue #112, PO Box 114, Olympia, WA 98507. Phone: (360) 753-7318 or (877) 753-7318. www.bvff.wa.gov.
Child's Education:
State and regional universities and the Evergreen State College may exempt all or a portion of tuition, services, and activities fees for the children of firefighters who have been killed in the line of duty. Must begin course of study at a state-supported college or university within 10 years of graduation from high school. Each state institution individually determines the amount of benefit.
Contact: Higher Education Coordinating Board. 917 Lakeridge Way, PO Box 43430, Olympia, WA 98504-3430. Phone: (360) 753-7800. www.hecb.wa.gov.
Support Organizations:
Washington State Fire Fighters Spouse and Orphans Fund
PO Box 48253
Seattle, WA 98148-0253
(206) 243-3489
E-mail: edj@wsffa.org
$1,500 benefit to the families of firefighters killed in the line of duty if the deceased firefighters department is a member of the Washington State Fire Fighters Association.
Washington State Fire Fighters Association
Postal Mail Box 117 1910 E. 4th Ave.
Olympia, WA 98506-4632
1-800 340-8023
360-754-3312
www.wsffa.org |
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| Education |
The State Fire Marshal's Office offers reimbursement to Fire Departments and Fire Districts for members completing Firefighter I training, to include wildland training. Reimbursement rate currently (2003) at $3.00 per hour for a maximum of 200 hours.
The Department of Natural Resources administrates a Wildland Fire Assistance Grant Program. This funding is available to fire districts/fire departments serving communities of less than 10,000 residents and who currently provide a wildland fire response to private, state, or federal land. 2003's Phase One program offered acquisition grants for personal protective equipment.
The Washington State Firefighters' Association offers limited scholarships to attend annual fire school training.
Contacts: Office of the State Fire Marshal. Phone: (360) 570-3121.
Fire Protection Bureau. General Administration Building, PO Box 42600, Olympia WA 98504-2600. Phone: (360) 753-0443.
Washington Department of Natural Resources. 1111 Washington ST SE, PO Box 47001, Olympia, WA 98504-7001. Phone: (360) 902-1004. Fax: (360) 902-1775.
Washington State Firefighters' Association. Postal Mail Box 117, 1910 East 4th Avenue, Olymbia, WA 98506-4632. Phone: (425) 316-3424. www.wsffa.org |
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| Workers Compensation |
A volunteer's medical bills are covered if injuries are sustained in the line of duty. Disability compensation to a maximum of $2,757.20 for first six months that volunteer is unable to perform his/her regular job. After the first six months, the volunteer can receive disability compensation if he or she is unable to perform any work for profit. This compensation is $1378.60 per month, plus additional $275.72 if married and $118.94 for each child under the age of 18. Cost of living is adjusted annually.
Contact: Board for Volunteer Firefighters and Reserve Officers. Olympia Forum Building, 605 E 11th Avenue #112, PO Box 114, Olympia, WA 98507. Phone: (360) 753-7318. Toll Free: (877) 753-7318. Fax: (360) 586-1987. www.bvff.wa.gov. |
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| Funding |
The Department of Natural Resources administrates a Wildland Fire Assistance Grant Program. This funding is available to fire districts/fire departments serving communities of less than 10,000 residents and who currently provide a wildland fire response to private, state, or federal land.
Contact: Washington Department of Natural Resources. 1111 Washington ST SE, PO Box 47001, Olympia, WA 98504-7001. Phone: (360) 902-1004. Fax: (360) 902-1775. |
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| Health |
The Board for Volunteer Firefighters and Reserve Officers refunds a portion of the cost of physical examinations for volunteer firefighters. The Board has also compiled a set of agility tests designed to test the fitness of firefighters that may be used by departments.
With membership to the Washington State Firefighters' Association, volunteers are offered through a WSFFA sponsored insurance carrier, additional person/individual insurance plan discounts ranging from medical to life insurance coverage.
Contact: Board for Volunteer Firefighters and Reserve Officers. Olympia Forum Building, 605 E 11th Avenue #112, PO Box 114, Olympia, WA 98507. Phone: (360) 753-7318. Toll Free: (877) 753-7318. Fax: (360) 586-1987. www.bvff.wa.gov.
Washington State Firefighters' Association. PO Box 53303, Bellevue, WA 98015-3303. Phone: (425) 316-3424. Www.wsffa.org |
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| Legal |
State law does not allow for legal action against the individual at which the authority has the right to choose to defend the responder. |
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| Malpractice |
Volunteer fire fighters and medical first responders are covered for their prudent actions while performing within the role and responsibilities of a first responder by the jurisdiction having authority. |
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| Retirement |
The State of Washington offers an agency-managed retirement system for volunteer firefighters. Minimal vesting period is 10 years of service and one payment. Maximum pension after 25 years of service and 25 payments is $300 per month if volunteer waits until age 65 to draw. There is a joint survivor benefit available. Pensions follow volunteers throughout the state to any participating department in the state.
Contact: Board for Volunteer Firefighters and Reserve Officers. Olympia Forum Building, 605 E 11th Avenue #112, PO Box 114, Olympia, WA 98507. Phone: (360) 753-7318. Toll Free: (877) 753-7318. Fax: (360) 586-1987. www.bvff.wa.gov. |
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| Tax |
N/A |
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| Additional |
Volunteers cannot be terminated from their regular employment because of an inability to work from injuries sustained while serving as a fire fighter. Employers with 25 or fewer full time employees are excluded. |
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