Firefighters ’ Relief Fund

1. Firefighters’ Relief Fund NC General Statutes 58-84-1 thru 58-84-60

2. Header • What is the Firefighters’ Relief Fund? • How is it funded? • How can my fire department participate? • How can the relief fund money be spent?

3. What is the Firefighters’ Relief Fund: A benefit to financially assist a firefighter that has been injured or killed In-Line-Of-Duty NCGS 58-84-35 (2a) To provide assistance to a destitute firefighter and (5) Supplemental retirement & other benefits

4. How is it funded: • All NC licensed insurance companies pay to the NC Dept. of Revenue a portion of the Fire & Lightning coverage of all property insurance • All County Tax Administrator’s report to the NC Dept. of Insurance the County population and the property tax value for each rated fire insurance district

5. How can my department participate: • A relief fund board of trustees must be elected. Two are elected by the fire department. Two are appointed by the City or County Commissioner’s. One is appointed by the Insurance Commissioner. One of the five members will be elected as the relief fund treasurer. (all local relief fund treasurer’s are covered by a One Million dollar bond, which is paid from the administrative fees)

6. A fire department must be a member of the NC State Firemen’s Association. Mr. Paul Miller is the Executive Secretary of the Association • (1-800-253-4377) • The fire department must submit a financial report of the local relief fund account to the NC State Firemen’s Association each year. The financial statement will be mailed from the Association to the fire department each June. The financial statement must be received by the Association no later than October 31 annually

7. A Report of Fire Condition must be filed annually with the NC Dept. of Insurance by October 31. The NC Dept. of Insurance notifies each City and/or County Clerk-Finance Officer in August to file the report. NCGS 58-84-46 requires the Clerk-Finance Officer to file a report for all rated fire districts. The report provides the local relief fund board of trustees names and identifies the treasurer.

8. How can the relief fund money be spent: • Primarily, for an In-Line-Of-Duty injury. The local relief fund board will determine the amount disbursed based on the earning capacity of the firefighter. • To provide assistance to a destitute firefighter with 5 years of service. The local relief fund board will determine the need and the amount of financial assistance. The relief fund board must obtain the approval of the NC State Firemen’s Association before disbursement of funds. • To provide for benefits of supplemental retirement, workers compensation and other insurance & pension protection. The relief fund board must obtain the approval of the NC State Firemen’s Association before disbursement of funds.

9. Frequently asked questions: • Who has control of the relief fund money? • The Local Relief Fund Board of Trustee’s. • My department is owned & operated by municipal government, do they control the relief fund? • No. The Local Relief Fund Board of Trustee’s controls the funds. • Can the Local Relief Fund Board make all disbursement decisions? • No. Disbursements for destitute firefighter’s, supplemental retirements, pension & other insurance protection, educational benefits MUST be approved by the Local Board and the NC State Firemen’s Association. This is to ensure the fund balance will remain actuarially sound for its original intent, to assist an injured firefighter.

10. Frequently asked questions: • Can equipment or other purchases be made with relief fund money? • No. NC General Statute 58-84-35 defines how the fund can be used. • Who is responsible to file the membership, financial statement and the Report of Fire Condition? • The fire department will file the annual membership and the relief fund financial statement with the NC State Firemen’s Association annually by October 31. • The City &/or County Clerk-Finance Officer is responsible to file the Report of Fire Condition with the Dept. of Insurance annually by October 31.

11. Who appoints the Relief Fund Board of Trustee’s? The fire department elects two representatives, the City &/or County appoints two representatives and the Insurance Commissioner appoints one appointee. One of the five board members will be elected to serve as the relief fund treasurer. Frequently asked questions:

12. Frequently asked questions: Do the relief fund board members have to be a resident of the fire district? The two fire department appointees shall be residents of the fire district OR active or retired members of the fire department The two City/County Commissioner appointees shall be a resident of the fire district The Insurance Commissioner appointee shall be a resident of the fire district OR an active or retired member of the fire department

13. How is the relief fund treasurer bonded? Each local relief fund treasurer is bonded through the State, from the administrative /bond fees. Each treasurer is bonded up to 1,000,000.00 (One Million) Relief fund accounts exceeding 1,000,000.00 have a 10,000.00 deductible. CONTACT INFORMATION: NC Department of Insurance – 1-800-634-7854 Relief Fund Administrator NC State Firemen’s Association – 1-800-253-4733 Paul Miller, Executive Secretary Frequently asked questions: