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Minnesota

 Minnesota Volunteer Relief Association Information

Member Benefits:




FOR A STRONG VOICE - STRENGTH IN NUMBERS

Through the clout of this Association's membership and the volunteer efforts of firefighters working together, MSVFA will make tremendous strides on behalf of all firefighters in Minnesota.  This clout will enabled us to introduce and pass legislation aimed at improving working conditions and safety standards for volunteer firefighters.  MSVFA will constantly working to help volunteer firefighters in Minnesota. We strive for involvement at every level.  Members will serve on committees and projects both on the State and National level.  MSVFA hopefully after October will have representation on the National Volunteer Fire Council, an advocacy group that works diligently on the national level for our nation's volunteer fire service.  The MSVFA strongly encourages every volunteer firefighter to join the NVFC. Click here to join the NVFC

On the legislative level, MSVFA will continue to introduce and fight for legislation to improve the fire service, or to oppose legislation that would have a negative impact on the volunteer firefighter. We 'go to the wall' to assist State agencies to secure funds for their budget requirements. We assist the Minnesota Firefighters to facilitate the passage of legislation to improve and increase retirement benefits.

Emphasis on membership remains a very important priority. A combined effort of the current membership, plus the potential numbers of volunteer firefighters in the State (
19,665 est 100 FDs have not reported yet), could accomplish much that is needed for the fire service. It is important to remember that numbers do count when dealing with the Legislature.

We believe that once you have read about and are familiar with what the Association has and will continue to accomplished for firefighters, you will want to join the thousands of active members who have decided to stand up and be counted. 

As an Honorary member, you already benefit from the overall activities of the Association as well, but your addition to the active membership rolls would add to the numbers the organization needs to achieve its objectives on behalf of the entire fire service. As our active membership grows, additional benefits can also be implemented.


As you can see, most of the advantages enjoyed by the individual volunteer firefighter today can be traced to the collective efforts of a group of firefighters working through the mechanism of MSVFA.


Wouldn't you like to be a part of an organization to make a different in your profession?  Your active membership is very important to us, because sometimes ONE PERSON can make the difference.


Joint today and help us to help you. Only $10 per year per active member and $30 per year for associate members.


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Member Discount Benefits

 We are currently working on our discount packages with several companies;

Working on - AVIS and other discounted rental car rates.t


Valleyfair
Order your Valleyfair tickets by filling out the order form below for big savings
and emailing it to
msvfasec@msvfa.org.
Regular season tickets for $25.95, a $10 savings and early/late season tickets
for $23.00. Order by calling
612-598-6369.
Valleyfair Order Form



Working on - Cabelas Sporting Goods

Working on - Scheels Sporting Goods

Working on - Mutual Insurance Companies






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Membership Card






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MSVFA Window Decal



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Quarterly Newsletter

The Minnesota Volunteer Firefighter News  will be
published with loads of articles of interest to volunteer
firefighters of Minnesota


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Email News Flash Service

The MSVFA is requesting your e-mail address so that we may add it to our mass
e-mail list. This list will be used to mail out important notices as well as pertinent
MSVFA information that you, the member, would like to be aware of. Click here to
join our email list. This will help you stay in tune with the workings of your association.
Members may also post to the list.  Thank you!


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Annual MSVFA Conference

We are planning our conference for September 29th and 30th of 2008. Details will start arriving soon.


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State Benefits (information from NVFC)
The MSVFA strongly encourages every volunteer firefighter
to join the NVFC. Click here to join the NVFC

 
Death One-Time:
As of 2001, $110,692 is paid out to spouse or spouse and dependent children. If no spouse or dependent children, payment goes to dependent parents. The benefit is adjusted annually based on the consumer price index.

Contact: Office of the Commissioner, Minnesota Department of Public Safety. Town Square, 444 Cedar Street, St. Paul, MN 55155. Phone: (651) 296-2432 or (800) 342-5354.

Workers Compensation:
The benefit covers all firefighters killed or disabled in the line-of-duty. Benefits for spouse with no children are 50% of wages earned by paid employees performing similar services at time of death. Benefits for spouse with two or more children are 2/3. Benefits for spouse with no children last for 10 years. For spouse with children, benefits continue 10 years after last child is no longer dependent. Unmarried children are eligible until age 18 or longer if disabled and incapable of self-support, or until age 25 if full-time student. Benefits are adjusted to reflect cost of living increases. Medical costs directly related to the injury are paid. Combined total of government benefits cannot exceed 100%. Spousal benefits continue after remarriage.

Contact: Workers? Compensation Division, State Department of Labor and Industry. 443 Lafayette Road North, St. Paul, MN 55155. Phone: (651) 296-2432 or (800) 342-5354.

Funeral:
Maximum burial allowance of $7,500.

Contact: Workers? Compensation Division, State Department of Labor and Industry. 443 Lafayette Road North, St. Paul, MN 55155. Phone: (651) 296-2432 or (800) 342-5354.

Pension:
None.

Child's Education:
Waiver of tuition and fees for undergraduate or certificate programs at state-supported colleges and universities. If the student attends an approved Minnesota private college or university, the state will pay no more than the highest tuition and fees charged by a Minnesota public institution. Children are eligible until age 23. The benefit is renewable for a maximum of ten semesters or 15 quarters, whichever occurs first.

Contact: Department of Public Safety. 211 Transportation Building, St. Paul, MN 55155. Phone: (651) 642-0533. www.mheso.state.mn.us

Spouse's Education:
Waiver of tuition and fees for undergraduate or certificate programs at state-supported colleges and universities. If the student attends an approved Minnesota private college or university, the state will pay no more than the highest tuition and fees charged by a Minnesota public institution. The benefit is renewable for a maximum of ten semesters or 15 quarters, whichever occurs first.

Contact: Department of Public Safety. 211 Transportation Building, St. Paul, MN 55155. Phone: (651) 642-0533. www.mheso.state.mn.us

Support Organizations:
Minnesota 100 Club
201 Lowry Avenue NE
Minneapolis, MN 55418
(612) 781-3371
Provides immediate contribution of $1,000.

Education Training is available through the Minnesota State colleges & universities at a cost. Library is available for loaning.

Contact: Fire/EMS/Safety Center, Minnesota State Colleges & Universities. Phone: (651)-649-5454. Toll Free: (800) 311-3143. FAX: (651) 649-5409.

Workers Compensation Workers' compensation covers all firefighters disabled in the line of duty. Benefits are based on the wages earned by paid employees performing similar services at the time of injury. The amount is based on extent and permanence of disability.

Contact: Workers? Compensation Division, State Department of Labor and Industry. 443 Lafayette Road North, St. Paul, MN 55155. Phone: (651) 296-2432 or (800) 342-5354.

Funding Grants for equipment and training are available through the Division of Emergency Management.

Contact: Minnesota Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, Emergency Response Commission. 444 Cedar Street, Suite 223, Saint Paul, MN 55101-6223. Phone: (651) 296-2233. Fax: (651) 296-0459.

Health There is no state benefit. However, many fire departments offer annual physicals and Hepatitis B vaccinations.

Legal By state statute, the city or township must provide legal counsel for any firefighter if an action is brought against the firefighter for damages caused by the operation of a motor vehicle in the course of the firefighter's official duties. The municipality must also pay the expense of defending the suit, including providing witness and reasonable counsel fees.

Malpractice Firefighters who render emergency service without compensation or the expectation of compensation are not liable for any civil damages as a result of acts or omissions, unless the firefighter acted in a willful and wanton or reckless manner.

Retirement Each department has the right to establish a Firefighter Relief Association. The program is funded by 2% fire insurance premium tax. Programs differ for each fire department.

Tax The state reimburses volunteer firefighter relief associations up to $1,000 in exchange for paying state taxes on their lump sum pensions. The amount of the benefit is 10% of the lump sum distribution up to a maximum of $1,000.

Contact: Minnesota Department of Revenue. 600 North Robert St., St. Paul, MN 55146.

Additional Volunteer firefighters are eligible for special license plates. The fee is $10.


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National Firefighter Benefit Summit

The MSVFA will monitor activity for you and your interest at the summit.



National Firefighter Benefit Summit
May 8-10, 2008
Land’s End Resort
Homer, Alaska


Host hotel is the Land’s End Resort in beautiful Homer, Alaska

Land’s End Resort has an assortment of room options. Standard and deluxe rooms
are available, as well as, 1, 2, and 3 bedroom lodges.

All blocked rooms will be released on January 7, 2008. Make your reservations early.
There is a Shorebird Festival the same weekend and the hotel will be sold out.

Visit the Land’s End Resort website at
www.lands-end-resort.com

Mention the Firefighter Benefit Summit when making your reservations.


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