Texas A&M Forest Service

^{SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT: Notice of Open Enrollment for the Rural VFD Insurance Program - Effective 12/03/12}

^{SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT: Office Relocation (New Address & Phone Number) - Effective 03/05/12}

Overview...
The Rural VFD Insurance Program was created by the 77th Texas Legislature (HB 3667). Though it is not an insurance program, it provides grants for Texas firefighters to obtain workers compensation and death and disability insurance from private insurance companies. The reimbursement of insurance costs allow Volunteer Fire Departments to protect firefighters from the unexpected expenses that can come from an accident. The program is administered by Texas A&M Forest Service and is funded by a 2 percent tax on the sale of fireworks. This program provides insurance grants for more than 400 fire departments and 11,000 firefighters each year.

Who is eligible...
Any chartered, non-profit volunteer fire department operated by its members is eligible. Any part-paid/part-volunteer department is also eligible, provided the number of paid members is 20 or less.

All qualified departments must participate in a firefighter certification program administered under Section 419.071 of the Texas Government Code (Texas Commission on Fire Protection), or by the State Firemen’s and Fire Marshal’s Association of Texas(SFFMA), or by the National Wildfire Coordinating Group(NWCG).

What is eligible...
Eligible coverage includes any combination of compensation insurance for firefighters (Workers' Compensation, Death, and/or Disability Insurance) purchased from Texas insurance companies. Policies in force for calendar year 2013 are eligible. The insurance coverage must include a workers' compensation or similar benefit, and a death benefit. Departments may enter into agreements with cities or counties in order to qualify for coverage and/or special premiums.

How much will it pay...
The program will reimburse 100% of the actual cost of eligible insurance coverage, up to a maximum of $105.00 per fire department member covered in the calendar year 2013.

How to apply...
It's easy, simply submit the following forms:

Application for Workers' Compensation Insurance Assistance
IRS Form W-9
Fire Department Roster
Copy of Payroll Classification Schedule Page 1 and 2, or payment receipt for a Workers' Compensation Insurance Policy, or Death Insurance Policy, or Disability Insurance Policy

Submit Via Mail or Fax to:

                                               Texas A&M Forest Service
                                               Emergency Services Grants Unit
                                               200 Technology Way, Suite 1162
                                               College Station, TX 77845-3424

                                               Fax: 979-845-6160

Please submit these forms only once during the enrollment period of December 2012 thru August 2013.

For more information
Call 936-639-8100 or 979-458-6505
Email: ffins@tfs.tamu.edu

Historical Funding Summaries


RURAL VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT INSURANCE PROGRAM (HB 3667)

[ Print \| ] ^{SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT: Notice of Open Enrollment for the Rural VFD Insurance Program - Effective 12/03/12} ^{SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT: Office Relocation (New Address & Phone Number) - Effective 03/05/12} Overview... The Rural VFD Insurance Program was created by the 77th Texas Legislature (HB 3667). Though it is not an insurance program, it provides grants for Texas firefighters to obtain workers compensation and death and disability insurance from private insurance companies. The reimbursement of insurance costs allow Volunteer Fire Departments to protect firefighters from the unexpected expenses that can come from an accident. The program is administered by Texas A&M Forest Service and is funded by a 2 percent tax on the sale of fireworks. This program provides insurance grants for more than 400 fire departments and 11,000 firefighters each year. Who is eligible... Any chartered, non-profit volunteer fire department operated by its members is eligible. Any part-paid/part-volunteer department is also eligible, provided the number of paid members is 20 or less. All qualified departments must participate in a firefighter certification program administered under Section 419.071 of the Texas Government Code (Texas Commission on Fire Protection), or by the State Firemen’s and Fire Marshal’s Association of Texas(SFFMA), or by the National Wildfire Coordinating Group(NWCG). What is eligible... Eligible coverage includes any combination of compensation insurance for firefighters (Workers' Compensation, Death, and/or Disability Insurance) purchased from Texas insurance companies. Policies in force for calendar year 2013 are eligible. The insurance coverage must include a workers' compensation or similar benefit, and a death benefit. Departments may enter into agreements with cities or counties in order to qualify for coverage and/or special premiums. How much will it pay... The program will reimburse 100% of the actual cost of eligible insurance coverage, up to a maximum of $105.00 per fire department member covered in the calendar year 2013. How to apply... It's easy, simply submit the following forms: Application for Workers' Compensation Insurance Assistance IRS Form W-9 Fire Department Roster Copy of Payroll Classification Schedule Page 1 and 2, or payment receipt for a Workers' Compensation Insurance Policy, or Death Insurance Policy, or Disability Insurance Policy Submit Via Mail or Fax to: Texas A&M Forest Service Emergency Services Grants Unit 200 Technology Way, Suite 1162 College Station, TX 77845-3424 Fax: 979-845-6160 Please submit these forms only once during the enrollment period of December 2012 thru August 2013. For more information Call 936-639-8100 or 979-458-6505 Email: ffins@tfs.tamu.edu Historical Funding Summaries