Health Care Provider’s Guide to Firefighter Physicals
This is an excellent resource from the International Association of Fire Chiefs.
Amendments to the Cancer Benefit Program Signed by the Governor
SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:
Section 1 of the bill amends subparagraph (ii) of paragraph a of subdivision 1 of section 205-cc of the general municipal law to clarify that
the an interior firefighter eligible for the program may submit alternative documentation as determined by the office of fire prevention and
control
Section 2 states that this act shall take effect immediately and shall expire and be deemed repealed 10 years after such date.
New Subsection 8. In the absence of the documentation required in paragraph a of subdivision one of this section, the volunteer firefighter shall be eligible if they submit alternative documentation as determined by the office of fire prevention and control. The office of fire prevention and control shall promulgate rules and regulations as to an acceptable combination of alternative documentation and such documentation shall include, but not be limited to, training records, documentation that the firefighter was an active interior volunteer firefighter as evidenced by National Fire Incident Reports submitted by the volunteer’s fire department, or any other combination of official documents capable of evidencing that the firefighter meets the requirements of this section.
Changes to the LOSAP Defined Contribution Program
Governor Cuomo signed bill A07552 / S4207a into law – Chapter 474 of the laws of 2019 – which increases the maximum allowable Defined Contribution (DC) benefit in New York State from $700 to $1,200. This does not impact those municipalities that sponsor a Defined Benefit (DB) plan – those benefits remain unchanged.
For a municipality that sponsors a DC plan to increase the contribution for its LOSAP, it must approve the increase by resolution of the governing board, then seek voter approval of the increase in a mandatory referendum. The amendment would be effective the January 1st following the date of the referendum.
The earliest a sponsor could make this effective is January 1, 2020; and that’s only if the sponsor were able to hold the referendum on or before December 31, 2019.
Note that a sponsor does not have to go straight to $1,200 but could instead select a smaller amount. In the past, some sponsors implemented a step-up in the contribution over a period of time – say to $950 effective January 1, 2020 and then to $1,200 effective January 1, 2021.
Typically, this type of amendment is administered such that the increased contribution is earned based on service credit accrued after the effective date. In other words, if an increase from $700 to $1,200 was effective January 1, 2020, then service credit earned in 2020 would result in the volunteer being credited with a $1,200 contribution to his/her account in 2021. The 2019 service credit year would remain at the $700 level. This also means that the municipal budget is not increased until 2021 (assuming a calendar year fiscal year). You are encouraged you to check with your attorney if an alternative interpretation can be made, especially for Villages that likely do not have a scheduled election until March 2020.
Interesting White Paper on the use of ISO Ratings on North Monterey County California
This white paper includes some interesting finds on the use of ISO ratings and the impacts or lack thereof on your fire department!!
ISO Ratings by Insurance Companies
Guidance to Form County or Regional Fire District Organization
This resource document has been created to provide information or guidance to groups of fire district officers who may want to assemble a local organization.
Formation of a Regional Associations
Steps to Firefighter Cancer Prevention
Download and post these firefighter cancer prevention steps:
FF Cancer Prevention
Approved Accident & Health Endorsement from ESIP
After months of hard work, ESIP is happy to announce that the NYS Department of Financial Services has approved an endorsement for our Accident & Health policies. This non-premium bearing endorsement adds coverage to the policy, including loss of life due to cardiac malfunction and weekly indemnity for illness! This change will be effective March 22nd, 2019 to all existing policy holders.
As you know, these are essential benefits to the members of emergency services organizations and we’re proud to be the first insurance provider in the state to receive approval to offer loss of life due to cardiac malfunction. If your organization does not already carry an Accident & Sickness policy, please reach out to your agent or the McNeil & Co. program representative for a review of full coverages available for your fire service members.
Final Cancer Benefit Regulations from OFPC, Forms from OFPC
Cancer Benefit Program Final Regulations from OFPC 101718 OFPC FINAL REG 2018 NY REG TEXT 495278 EOSB 210.4 Form to be filed with the Cancer Insurance Benefit Provider only when filing a claim- Keep a copy for your files EOSB210-4 The annual filing form to OFPC from the AHJ to attest under oath that you have provided the Cancer Benefit EOSB210-5
Regional Breakdown for State Association Regions
Region 1 = The Capital Region Region 2 = Mid Hudson Valley Region 3 = Central Region Region 4 = Southern Tier Region 5 = Finger Lakes Rochester Region Region 6 = Western NY Region 7 = Lower Hudson Valley Region 8 = Nassau County Region 9 = Suffolk County Region 10 = Sullivan/Orange/Rockland Region 11 = North Country 2016regionalmap Regional Breakdown
See the OFPC Final Regulations for the Cancer Benefit Program
The documents posted here that pertain to the Volunteer FF Cancer Benefit program as mandated by GML 205cc are the OFPC Final Regulations, the Final Rule Report with Answers to Comments, text of the Final Rule Report Answers and the OSHA Physical Exam Questionnaire as referenced in the final documents.
101718 OFPC FINAL REG 2018 NY REG TEXT 495278
101718 OFPC 2018 NY REG TEXT 495278 FINAL RULE REPORT ANSWERS FINAL DEC
101718 OFPC 2018 NY REG TEXT 495278 FINAL RULE REPORT WITH ANSWERS TO COMMENTS