North Carolina Chief 101 Line of Duty Death Benefits Assistance Program

North Carolina North Carolina Chief 101Chief 101

North Carolina North Carolina Chief 101Chief 101

Line of Duty Death Benefits

Assistance Program

Chief 101 ClassChief 101 Class

This class consists of several programs that together will satisfy the 9S inspection criteria as specified by the North Carolina Administrative Code. The primary objective of the course is to inform current and future chief officers of the various aspects and complexities surrounding the operations and organization of North Carolina fire departments.

Program ObjectivesProgram Objectives

● Describe the procedures to request assistance in the event of a line-of-duty death.

● Identify the initial actions that need to be taken in the event of a line-of-duty death.

● Describe the resources that are available to assist departments in dealing with a line-of-duty death.

GOAL:GOAL:GOAL:GOAL:

● To assist fire departments and rescue squads in assuring that all state and federal benefits are pursued for the surviving spouse and/or family and provide other services, as requested by the department, squad, or family.

Available AssistanceAvailable AssistanceAvailable AssistanceAvailable Assistance

● Aid in filing paperwork for benefits

● Honor Guard Protocols (Drum & Pipes)

● Funeral Protocols / Reception

● FD / Rescue Staff Assignments

● Eulogy Guidelines

● Chaplain List

On-duty Fatality Defined?On-duty Fatality Defined?On-duty Fatality Defined?On-duty Fatality Defined?

● On-duty fatalities include any injury or illness sustained while on-duty that proves fatal.

● The term ‘on-duty’ refers to being involved in operations at the scene of an emergency, whether it is a fire or non-fire incident; responding to or returning from an incident; performing other official duties such as training, maintenance, public education, inspection, and investigations.

On-duty Defined?On-duty Defined?On-duty Defined?On-duty Defined?

www.ncdoi/osfm.comwww.ncdoi/osfm.comwww.ncdoi/osfm.comwww.ncdoi/osfm.com

Possible BenefitsPossible BenefitsPossible BenefitsPossible Benefits

● State Death Benefits $50,000.00– $20,000 first year– $10,000 for 3 years

● North Carolina State Firemen’s Association In-Line of Duty Death $50,000.00

● N.C. Society of Fire/Rescue Service Instructors $10,000.00


● Federal Public Safety Officers Death Benefits $333,604.68 (2013) + “COLA”

● Workers Compensation $287,350 – $431,000

● Local Relief Fund

● Pension Fund Reimbursement (Monies paid into fund)

● Any Department Benefits such as: VFIS, Brotherhood Term Life, etc.

● Each year the Chief should review all benefits the department has with the members.


What You Need to do…What You Need to do…What You Need to do…What You Need to do…● Call for help! L Monday through Friday, 8am - 5pm

1-800-634-7854

L After hours:

● Larry Hughes ● Wayne Bailey919-218-1319 919-218-1588

● Derrick Clouston ● Mike Edwards919-609-1361 919-810-1525

● Start a log

What we will do and not What we will do and not do:do:What we will do and not What we will do and not do:do:

● We will not come, if we are not requested to come.

● No inaccurate information will be given out.

● Will not disseminate information unless cleared by the Chief and family.

Assistance TeamAssistance TeamAssistance TeamAssistance Team

● A response team of 2 OSFM personnel will arrive within 24 hours, if needed.

● They will need access to a telephone, a fax machine, a table, etc.

● They will stay as long as you need them.

ConsiderationsConsiderationsConsiderationsConsiderations

● Communicate to the family the need for an autopsy to be performed and blood samples to be taken.

Why? A cause of death must be determined in order to avoid a delay in receiving federal benefits.

Additional ConsiderationsAdditional ConsiderationsAdditional ConsiderationsAdditional Considerations

● Secure all PPE and anything that could be a contributing factor to the death.

● Appoint someone to handle the press/media.

● Have a press release prepared.

We will contact:We will contact:We will contact:We will contact:

● North Carolina Industrial Commission (Worker’s Comp)

● North Carolina Pension Fund

● North Carolina Department of Labor

● North Carolina Firemen’s Association

● North Carolina Fallen Firefighter’s Foundation

● North Carolina Association of Rescue & EMS

We will contact:We will contact:We will contact:We will contact:

● Public Safety Officer’s Benefits

● Volunteer Safety Workers Compensation Fund

● VFIS

● United States Fire Administration

● National Fire Academy

● NFPA and NIOSH

NCFFF ServicesNCFFF ServicesNCFFF ServicesNCFFF Services

● Chaplaincy services in conjunction with:

– NC State Firemen’s Association– NC Association of Fire Chiefs – NC Office of State Fire Marshal

● Family Transport Van

● Assist with Funeral Arrangements / Protocol

● Serve as a resource for your department.

The NCFFF will provide this fifteen passenger family transport van to

support families of fallen firefighters.

Family Transport VanFamily Transport VanFamily Transport VanFamily Transport Van

NCFFF Contact InfoNCFFF Contact InfoNCFFF Contact InfoNCFFF Contact Info

● www.ncfff.org

● Mail to:NC Fallen Firefighter Foundation2501 Blue Ridge Road Suite 150Raleigh, NC 27607

●1-877-810-1800

Dignity Memorial Dignity Memorial InformationInformationDignity Memorial Dignity Memorial InformationInformation

● The Dignity Memorial Public Servants Program offers dignified and honorable tributes, at no cost, for career and volunteer firefighters, law enforcement officers and emergency services personnel who fall in the line of duty. The Dignity Memorial Bereavement Program includes various discounts and other benefits.

● For more information, call: (919)828-4311 or go to: www.ncpublicservants.com

Information Needed:Information Needed:Information Needed:Information Needed:

● Statements from:

– the chief

– all involved personnel

– any witnesses

Information NeededInformation Needed

● Copies of the following (for the deceased):

– Driver’s license

– Social security card

– Beneficiary card

– Training records


● Spouse’s information:– Full name– Address– Social security number

● Dependent(s) information: – Full name(s) – Date(s) of birth – Social security number(s)


● Original Death Certificate

● Fire Incident Reports w/ original signature

● Casualty Reports w/ original signature

● Autopsy Reports w/ original signature


● Press release and news articles

● Marriage license

● If previous marriage, copies of legal separation and divorce documents

● Birth certificate for the deceased, spouse and children


● Reports (all with original signature)

– Law Enforcement

– Toxicology

– Hospital

– Ambulance/1st Responder

State Death BenefitState Death BenefitState Death BenefitState Death Benefit

● This benefit pays a total of $50,000.00. An initial $20,000.00 is paid upon approval of the claim and $10,000.00 annually until the total sum is paid. The State will pay this benefit regardless of survivor. If there are none, then the claim is paid to the estate.

State Death BenefitState Death BenefitState Death BenefitState Death Benefit

As of July 1, 2003, when a firefighter dies as the direct and proximate result of a heart attack suffered while on duty, within 24 hours after participating in a training exercise, or responding to an emergency situation, the fireman is presumed to have been killed in the line of duty.

North Carolina State North Carolina State FiremenFiremen’’s Associations AssociationNorth Carolina State North Carolina State FiremenFiremen’’s Associations Association

● Accidental Death and Dismemberment will pay $60,000.00 in full: – In-Line of Duty Deaths =

$50,000.00 – Accidental Death and

Dismemberment = $10,000.00


● In addition, a seat belt benefit of $10,000.00 will be paid.

● Full scholarships for college education provided for any dependent child. These scholarships essentially cover all expenses except spending money.

North Carolina State FiremeNorth Carolina State Firemenn ’’s Association Fraternal s Association Fraternal InsuranceInsurance

North Carolina State FiremeNorth Carolina State Firemenn ’’s Association Fraternal s Association Fraternal InsuranceInsurance

● Accidental Death and Dismemberment will pay $5,000.00 in full. This benefit decreases with age.

Up to Age 69 100%70 – 74 65%75 – 79 45%80 – 84 30%

85 + 15%

North Carolina State FiremeNorth Carolina State Firemenn ’’s Association Memberships Association MembershipNorth Carolina State FiremeNorth Carolina State Firemenn ’’s Association Memberships Association Membership

● 1,317 Fire Departments in NC● 1,218 Fire Departments NCSFA

members– 60 Career Departments– 906 Volunteer Departments– 252 Combination Departments

● 7,890 Members from Career Departments

● 35,159 Members from Volunteer Departments


www.ncsfa.com

North Carolina Association of North Carolina Association of Rescue and Emergency Rescue and Emergency Medical ServicesMedical Services


● Will pay $100,000.00 for an In-Line of Duty Death. Upon approval by the Industrial Commission, this benefit will make an initial payment of $20,000.00 and $20,000.00 annually until claim is paid in full.



● Dismemberment and/or Accidental Death (coverage is 24 hours a day) $20,000.00.

● Natural deaths pay $1,000.00.



● BENEVOLENT BROTHERHOOD - Must be a member

● Death Benefit is $5,000.00 which is payable upon death of a member in the fund. (Benefit increases $1,000.00 with each increase in membership of 1,000.)



● A spouse and/or dependent(s) of an In-Line of Duty Death are eligible to receive scholarships and have choice of:

– Two (2) year scholarship of $2,000.00

– Four (4) year scholarship of $12,000.00



● 517 Recognized Rescue Squads in North Carolina

● 11,612 Career Squad Members

● 15,463 Volunteer Squad Members

● 27,075 Total Members



www.ncarems.org

Worker’s CompensationWorker’s Compensation

● This benefit is calculated at a specific rate equaling 2/3 of his/her weekly wages for 500 weeks.

● Presently the maximum rate is $862.00 for career emergency personnel and a minimum rate of $574.70 (2/3 of the maximum) for volunteer emergency personnel.

Worker’s CompensationWorker’s Compensation

● Benefits for minor-age beneficiariesare also figured for 500 weeks or until age of 18, whichever is longer.

● Part-time emergency personnel rate would be based on the salary paid for those part-time hours worked.

Pension FundPension FundPension FundPension Fund

● A reimbursement from the fund will be made to the spouse, children, heirs, or estate, in the amount equal to the total that was paid into the fund by the deceased.

Pension FundPension FundPension FundPension Fund

● In the event the deceased died after having received some benefits, but before receiving a sum equal to the amount paid into the fund, a payment will be made that is equal to the difference.

Public Safety Officer Public Safety Officer Benefit (PSOB)Benefit (PSOB)Public Safety Officer Public Safety Officer Benefit (PSOB)Benefit (PSOB)

● Pays a minimum of $100,000.00 plus a cost of living allowance.

● Benefit is currently paying $333,604.68.

Public Safety Officer Benefit Public Safety Officer Benefit (PSOB)(PSOB)Public Safety Officer Benefit Public Safety Officer Benefit (PSOB)(PSOB)

● This benefit is paid as follows:– Surviving spouse with no

dependents receives full payment.– Surviving spouse with surviving

dependents: the spouse receives half of full amount and the remaining half is divided equally among the dependents.

– If there is no surviving spouse or dependent, the payment will be made to the surviving parents of the deceased.

● This benefit is not paid to the estate.


● The PSOB program also includes educational assistance through the Public Safety Officer's Educational Assistance (PSOEA).

● Currently, the maximum award fora full-time student is $860.00 per month and proportionately less for part-time students.


● This educational assistance may be used to defray relevant expenses:

– Tuition & Fees

– Room & Board

– Books

– Supplies

– Other education-related costs

Federal LegislationFederal LegislationFederal LegislationFederal Legislation

● Hometown Heroes Survivors Benefits Act of 2003 – Congressman Bob Etheridge

introduced HR 5334 in 2002– President signed into law

December 15, 2003● This bill is to ensure that a public

safety officer who suffers a fatal heart attack or stroke while on duty shall be presumed to have died in the line of duty.

United States Fire United States Fire AdministrationAdministrationUnited States Fire United States Fire AdministrationAdministration

● USFA Firefighter Fatalitieswww.usfa.dhs.gov

– Notices of firefighter fatality

– Information about on-duty U.S. firefighter fatalities

– Database that allows visitors to search for firefighters honored at the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial


– Description of the Memorial– Database that provides statistics

related to the circumstances surrounding fatalities

– The annual USFA firefighter fatality report

– Information about Public Safety Officer Benefits (PSOB)

USFA Reports Firefighter USFA Reports Firefighter Fatalities in 2005Fatalities in 2005USFA Reports Firefighter USFA Reports Firefighter Fatalities in 2005Fatalities in 2005

● 117 firefighter deaths– 36 career and 81 volunteer– 30 firefighters died while working

on the scene of a fire incident.– 22 firefighters deaths were

attributed to responding or returning from an incident scene.

– 65 firefighters died of heart attacks or stroke.


● 106 firefighter deaths– 29 career and 77 volunteer– 37 firefighters died while working

on the scene of a fire incident.– 19 firefighters deaths were

attributed to responding or returning from an incident scene.

– 50 firefighters died of heart attacks or stroke.

● 115 Firefighter deaths

– 49 career and 59 volunteers– 3 fulltime and 1 contract wildland

firefighters; 2 paid on call and 1 industrial fireman

– 37 firefighters died while working on the scene of a fire incident.


– 26 from responding or returning from an incident scene.

– 13 after an incident.– 20 on duty.– 11 training.– 8 on scene, non-fire.


● The loss of 9 Charleston S.C. firefighters in June marked the largest loss of life since the attack on September 11, 2001.

● 52 firefighters died of heart attacks or stroke.


● 118 firefighter deaths

– 34 career and 66 volunteers– 18 full/part time contract wildland

firefighters


● 75 deaths occurred while on an emergency scene

● 43 deaths occurred non-emergency


● 90 firefighter deaths– 36 career and 47 volunteers– 7 wildland agency firefighters


● 30 deaths occurred while on an emergency scene.


● 15 deaths occurred while responding or returning.

● 10 deaths while engaged in training activities.

● 14 deaths after the conclusion of their on-duty activity.


USFA Focus on Finding Solutionsin Reduction of Firefighter FatalitiesUSFA Focus on Finding Solutionsin Reduction of Firefighter Fatalities

● USFA’s main program goals:

– 25% reduction in fatalities in 5 years.

– 50% reduction within 10 years.


United States United States Firefighter FatalitiesFirefighter FatalitiesUnited States United States Firefighter FatalitiesFirefighter Fatalities

NC Fatalities 1998 - 2008 NC Fatalities 1998 - 2008 NC Fatalities 1998 - 2008 NC Fatalities 1998 - 2008

From 1998 to 2008 North Carolina Fire Service experienced 60 fatalities

Fatality CausesFatality Causes

● Heart attacks were the leading cause of fatalities at 57.63%.

● Motor Vehicle Crashes followed at 27.12%.

● Fires and Other types of incidents each carried 8.47%.

● Seat Belts a Must.

● Motor Vehicle Crashes are the most preventable type of fatality.

● Only 1 of the 16 fatalities in Motor Vehicle Crashes occurred while wearing a seat belt. (Two of the MVC’s involved a motorcycle.)

Fatality CausesMotor Vehicle CrashesFatality CausesMotor Vehicle Crashes

33

16

5 5

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

1998-2008

Total Fatalites NC

Heart Attack

MVC

Fire

Other

Fatality CausesFatality Causes

Motor Vehicle Crashes by YearMotor Vehicle Crashes by Year

A noticeable decline in Motor Vehicle Crashes extended to none in 2005 with a major increase starting in 2006. Half of all Motor Vehicle Crashes have occurred in the past two years.

0

1

2

3

4

5

1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008

16

16.5

17

17.5

18

18.5

19

East Piedmont West

Fatalities by RegionFatalities by Region

The Names We Shouldn’t The Names We Shouldn’t ForgetForgetThe Names We Shouldn’t The Names We Shouldn’t ForgetForget

● By Remembering

– To drive more safely.

– Be physically fit.

– Operate more safely at scenes.

● Henry Perry Pumpkin Center 09-14-97● Brian Cannon Taylor’s Bridge 01-16-98● Carson Gosey SDO 10-24-98● Robbie Blizzard Arrington 11-06-98● Sidney Jones Throughfare 11-06-98● Randall Blevins Helton Ambulance 03-29-99● Kenneth Strain Hemby Bridge 05-02-99

North Carolina Line of North Carolina Line of Duty Deaths Since 1997Duty Deaths Since 1997North Carolina Line of North Carolina Line of Duty Deaths Since 1997Duty Deaths Since 1997

● Gary Bankert Roanoke-Wildwood 01-15-00● David Sharp Fayetteville 03-17-00● Lisa Farrow Engelhard 08-09-00● Howard Vanhoy Austin 09-05-00● Betty Dennis Franklin 01-03-01● Eddie Mathis Dallas 07-16-01● Thomas Brooks Lumberton 01-31-02● Josh Earley Harrisburg 03-07-02● William Beard Greensboro 04-10-02● Bridgett Autry Clinton 06-13-02● Cassandra B. Powell McLeansville 09-23-02

NC Line of Duty DeathsNC Line of Duty DeathsNC Line of Duty DeathsNC Line of Duty Deaths

● Terry Carroll Coats/Grove 01-07-03● Michael Copeland Charlotte 01-25-03● Douglas Coffey Blowing Rock 07-23-03● Randy Jones Cool Springs 07-28-03● Gerald Williams Cool Springs 09-30-03● Mark Franklin Charlotte 11-30-03● Phillip Hulen Vann Crossroads 04-06-04● Joseph Griffin Siler City 02-02-04


● Robert Martin Bostic 01-09-05● Michael Childress Level Cross 05-07-05● Todd Blanchard Eastern Wake 07-12-05● James E. Scott Hamilton 09-16-05● Larry D. Crouse Alleghany 12-31-05


● Wayne Yarborough Waynesville 03-05-06● Kelly M. Kincaid Morganton 03-19-06● William M. Price Jamesville 04-16-06● Joseph L. Bilka Antioch/Fishing Creek 05-21-06● Larry Fanning Garner 08-05-06● Ronald Allen Tar Heel 09-22-06● Robert G. Whittaker Marshallberg 11-14-06● Michael Browne ADR 11-16-06● Jeffrey S. Hollingsworth Clement 11-30-06● Kent F. Long Charlotte 12-01-06


● Joseph A. Jones Pilot Mtn. 02-12-07● Billy H. Williams Rhodestown 03-24-07● Brandon M. WhimpleRhodestown 03-24-07● Otis E. Stephenson, Jr. Angier 05-09-07● Nemeth F. Sanders NC Forestry Service 07-27-07● Gerald David Donley, Jr. Swepsonville 08-08-07● Todd Hage Wesley Chapel 08-11-07● Glenn Williams MillerWhispering Pines 08-17-07● Michael Dean Stanfield Anderson Township 09-10-07● Raymond Dale White Dover V.F.D. 09-29-07


● Herman S. Jones Raleigh 01-22-08● James E. Arthur Cold Water 02-11-08● Victor A. Isler Salisbury 03-07-08● Justin Monroe Salisbury 03-07-08● Walter W. Michl Roanoke-Wildwood 03-16-08● Rufus E. Brinson, Jr. Reelsboro 06-06-08● Colin Gene ThomasVerona 06-14-08● George Crocker Pine Level/Raleigh 06-22-08● Curtis Jessen NCDFR 08-21-08● Carol Taylor Goldsboro 11-14-08


● William Parsons Millers Creek V.F.D. 02-01-09● Gregory Cooke Salem District V.F.D. 03-21-09● Bonnie McNeil Union Rescue Squad 05-14-09● Matthew Tramel Pembroke F.D. 06-05-09● Robert Simmons Central School 09-01-09● Chad Greene Union Cross 11-04-09● Jimmy Davis, Sr. White Oak 12-10-09


• *Johnny Littleton Pine Level V.F.D. 08-20-10• *Jeremy Bolick Blowing Rock F & R 03-21-10• *Thomas Wright Blowing Rock F & R 03-21-10• *Johnny Norton Hot Springs V.F.D. 11-21-11• *Jeffery S. Bowen Asheville F.D. 07-28-11• *George Fisher III Sandy Bottom V.F.D. 08-22-11• *David Howell Roseboro V.F.D. 05-23-11• *David Hunsinger Jr. Tar Heel V.F.D. 04-07-11• *Ricky Barbour Wilson's Mills02-04-11• *James Walters Sr. Parkton V.F.D. 01-29-11• *Jeffery Grega Little Swift V.F.D. 01-17-11


• *Walter Summerville Kernersville F/R 11-07-12• *John M. HallClarkton V.F.D. 11-07-12• *David M. Tatum White Oak V.F.D. 11-05-12• *Caleb Benfield Bethlehem Comm. F/R 10-10-12• *Jack Snoddy Brunswick County EMS 08-27-12• *Donald Suggs Summerville F/R 06-11-12• *John Jefferson Edgecombe County EMS 06-09-12• *Shawn Mitchell Caswell County EMS 02-28-12• *Chad Settlemyre Sawmills F.D. 02-27-12• *Samuel Butler Evans Crossroads V.F.D. 01-09-12


• *David Heath New Hanover County F/R 10-14-13• *Tony Barker Mountain View V.F.D. 06-13-13• *Dennis Lamm Elm City EMS 05-09-13• *Joseph Autrey Burke County EMS 04-26-13• *Sarah Stonesifer Pinehill V.F.D. 03-29-13• *Owens Ward Columbus County Transport 03-29-13• * Scott Morrison Knotts Island V.F.D. 03-03-13


Questions?Questions?

Documents

North Carolina Chief 101 Line of Duty Death Benefits Assistance Program