Updated: November 2009

One-time Death Benefit Benefit of $50,000 if State Fire Marshal determines firefighter died in the line of duty. Line of duty is defined as sustaining an injury or illness during performance of official duties that results in death. If no surviving child, surviving spouse receives total benefit. If surviving spouse and children, 50% to the spouse and the other 50% to the child or children in equal shares. If no surviving child or spouse, benefit to the parents in equal shares. Contact: Office of the State Fire Marshal 52 State House Station Augusta, ME 04333 Phone: (207) 626-3870 Website: www.state.me.us/dps/fmo Workers' Compensation Benefit of up to 90% of state average weekly wage (SAWW) for up to 500 weeks. Maximum amount applies. SAWW will adjust on July 1 every year. The law includes a presumption that an injury or cardiovascular/pulmonary disease is related to duties if the disease, injury or death occurred within 6 months of having participated in firefighting or active firefighting training or drill. Volunteer firefighters: Act includes active members of volunteer fire associations as employees. The average weekly wage must be taken to be the earning capacity in the occupation in which the employee was regularly engaged. Contact: Workers' Compensation Board 27 State House Station Augusta, ME 04333-0027 Phone: (207) 287-3751 or Toll Free (Maine Only): (888) 801-9087 Fax: (207) 287-7198 Website: www.maine.gov/wcb (Reference: Maine 39-A § 211-215, Chapter 7 § 328-A Title 39 WC, Chapter 17) Funeral Benefit Maximum of $4,000 for burial expenses and $3,000 incidental compensation to the employee's estate. Contact: Workers' Compensation Board 27 State House Station Augusta, ME 04333-0027 Phone: (207) 287-3751 or (888) 801-9087 Website: www.maine.gov/wcb (Reference: Maine Revised Statutes39 A § 216) Retirement/Pension Plan Career firefighters: Applies where towns participate in Maine State Retirement System (MSRS). For accidental, job-related death, spouse with no dependent children receives monthly benefits for life based on 2/3 average final compensation. Spouse with dependent children receives monthly benefits based on 100% AFC until children no longer dependent; spouse's benefit based on 2/3 average final compensation after that. Children eligible if unmarried and under age 18, or under age 22 if full-time student. Not every town participates in MSRS. Check with Benefits Officer of the fallen firefighter's department for correct retirement benefit information. Contact: Maine State Retirement System 46 State House Station Augusta, ME 04333-0046 Phone: (207) 287-3461 or (800) 451-9800 Fax: (207) 512-3101 Website: www.msrs.org Education Benefit - Children Tuition waivers for children of firefighters killed in the line of duty or as a result of injuries received from external causes as a result of the active performance of their official duties. Tuition waivers valid at state post-secondary education institutions within the University of Maine System, the Maine Technical College System, the Maine Community College system, or at the Maine Maritime Academy. Only 30 such grants available per year. Limited to five years of full-time enrollment. Eligibility limited to residents of Maine. Children must have been under the age of 21 at the time of the parent's death. This benefit also covers eligible foster children. Contact: Finance Authority of Maine 5 Community Drive P.O. Box 949 Augusta, ME 04332-0094 Phone: (207) 623-3263 or (800) 228-3734 Website: www.famemaine.com (Reference: Maine Tuition Waiver Program) Education Benefit - Spouse Same as for children, except for age. Contact: Finance Authority of Maine 5 Community Drive P.O. Box 949 Augusta, ME 04332-0094 Phone: (207) 623-3263 or (800) 228-3734 Website: www.famemaine.com Non-Profit or Private Organizations Kids' Chance Maine Harvey Picker Horizon Scholarship MEMIC (Maine Employers Mutual Insurance Company) P.O. Box 11409 Portland, ME 04104 Phone: (800) 660-1306 Provides scholarships of children of Maine workers who are killed and who are eligible for workers' compensation benefits.