Updated: December 2009

One-time Death Benefit Volunteer firefighters: As of fiscal year 1999, benefit to spouse is $152,000. If no spouse, benefits are paid to dependent children. If no spouse or dependent children, dependent parents are eligible to receive the benefit. For firefighters killed as a result of injuries received or sickness contracted in the performance of duties. Contact: State Board for Volunteer Fire Fighters and Reserve Officers Olympia Forum Building 605 E. 11th Avenue #112 P.O. Box 114 Olympia, WA 98507 Phone: (360) 753-7318 or (877) 753-7318 Website: www.bvff.wa.gov Career firefighters: Benefit amount is $150,000. Paid only where death occurs as a result of injuries sustained in the course of employment or to a member of plan 2 as a result of an occupational disease or infection that arises naturally and proximately out of employment. The Retirement System will send to Workers' Compensation for authorization. Contact: Law Enforcement Officers' and Fire Fighters' Retirement System P.O. Box 48380 Olympia, WA 98504-8380 Phone: (360) 664-7000 or (800) 547-6657 Website: www.drs.wa.gov (Reference: Washington RCW 41.24, Volunteer Firefighters' & Reserve Officers' Relief and Pensions) Workers' Compensation Career firefighters: Immediate cash payment equal to 100% of the state's average monthly wage; amount adjusted annually. Spouse receives 60% of employee's wages with an additional 2% per child, up to a total of 70%. Minimum and maximum amounts apply and are adjusted annually. Children are considered dependent until age 18, age 23 if a full-time student at an accredited school, or longer if disabled. Upon remarriage, spouse receives lump-sum settlement of 24 times the monthly compensation rate or 50% of the remaining annuity value, whichever is less, and benefits terminate. Spouse may elect not to take lump-sum payment, in which case pension payments resume if the remarriage ends in death or divorce. In addition, medical bills related to firefighter's work-related injuries or death are paid. Volunteer firefighters: Medical bills related to firefighter's work-related injuries or death are paid. Contact: Workers' Compensation Washington State Department of Labor and Industries P.O. Box 44000 Olympia, WA 98504-4000 Phone: (360) 902-5800 Website: www.lni.wa.gov Funeral Benefit Volunteer firefighters: Maximum $2,000 funeral voucher. For firefighters killed as a result of injuries received or sickness contracted in the performance of duties. Contact: State Board for Volunteer Fire Fighters and Reserve Officers Olympia Forum Building 605 E. 11th Avenue #112 P.O. Box 114 Olympia, WA 98507 Phone: (360) 753-7318 or (877) 753-7318 Website: www.bvff.wa.gov (Reference: RCW 41.24.230) Career firefighters: Maximum burial benefit of 200% of the state's average monthly wage for the preceding year; amount adjusted annually. Contact: Workers' Compensation Washington State Department of Labor and Industries P.O. Box 44000 Olympia, WA 98504-4000 Phone: (360) 902-5800 Website: www.lni.wa.gov Retirement/Pension Plan Volunteer firefighters: Spouse receives $1,275 per month, plus an additional $110 for each child under 18. Benefits are adjusted annually based on the Consumer Price Index. Additional provisions for dependent parents if no spouse or dependent children. Maximum of $2,550 per month. Benefits cease upon remarriage. For firefighters killed as a result of injuries received or sickness contracted in the performance of duties. Contact: State Board for Volunteer Fire Fighters and Reserve Officers Olympia Forum Building 605 E. 11th Avenue #112 P.O. Box 114 Olympia, WA 98507 Phone: (360) 753-7318 or (877) 753-7318 Website: www.bvff.wa.gov Career firefighters: Plan 1 - For members of Retirement System before October 1, 1977, spouse will receive a monthly benefit equal to 50% of the deceased firefighter's final average salary if death occurred while in service plus an additional 5% for each dependent child, up to 60% total benefit. If no spouse, child receives a benefit equal to 30% of the deceased firefighter's final average salary plus 10% for each additional child, up to 60%. Benefit is divided equally among all children. Plan 2 - For members of Retirement System on or after October 1, 1977, if fewer than 10 years of service and ineligible to retire, beneficiary receives all accumulated contributions. If 10 or more years of service or eligible to retire, the beneficiary may accept a payment of 150% of the deceased firefighter's accumulated contributions or choose to receive a monthly benefit as if the firefighter had retired on the date of death. The retirement allowance of a member killed in the course of employment shall include reimbursement for any payments of premium rates to the Washington state health care authority. Contact: Washington State Department of Retirement Systems P.O. Box 48380 Olympia, WA 98504-8380 Phone: (360) 664-7000 or (800) 547-6657 Website: www.drs.wa.gov (Reference: Washington State Law Enforcement Officers' and Firefighters' Retirement System Handbooks for Plans 1 and 2) Education Benefit - Children 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 P.O. Box 43430 Olympia, WA 98504-3430 Phone: (360) 753-7800 E-mail: info@hecb.wa.gov Website: www.hecb.wa.gov Education Benefit - Spouse None. Non-Profit or Private Organizations Washington State Fire Fighters' Spouse and Orphan's Fund PMB 117 1910 E. 4th Ave. Olympia, WA 98506-4632 Phone: 800-FIRELINE Website: www.wsfa.org Immediate financial relief to the families of firefighters killed in the line of duty if the deceased firefighter was a member in good standing of the Washington State Fire Fighters' Association. Firefighter must have joined the Fund prior to age 45 for the beneficiary to receive the benefit. Kids' Chance of Washington Washington State Council of Firefighters P.O. Box 185 Olympia, WA 98507-0185 Phone: (800) 572-5762 Website: www.kidschancewa.com Kids' Chance of Washington is a need-based educational scholarship program for the dependent children and spouses of workers killed or seriously disabled in a workplace accident in Washington.