LINE-OF-DUTY DEATH NOTIFICATION
We provide this information with the fervent hope and continued dedication to safety that it will never be used. Report a Line-of-Duty Death to the State Fire Marshal Safety Program Section, as soon as possible, at (352) 369-2836.
STATE OF FLORIDA LINE-OF-DUTY DEATH RESOURCES
State Death Benefit
Every firefighter employer, as defined in statute, is liable for the payment of line of duty death and catastrophic injury benefits set forth in
Florida Statute 112.191. The amounts are adjusted annually by Florida Administrative Code 69A-64,
to reflect the consumer price index. The firefighter employer must be either self-insured or secure insurance to ensure the benefit payments. The benefits
set forth in Section 112.191, Florida Statutes, are in addition to any workers compensation or pension benefits to which the beneficiary may be entitled.
Contact the firefighter's department for details and procedures.
State Workers' Compensation Benefit and Funeral Benefit
The Workers' Compensation Benefit may be available to either Career or Volunteer Firefighters. The definition of employment includes firefighters responding
to or assisting with fire or medical emergencies whether or not the firefighters are on duty. The Workers' Compensation "acting within the course of employment"
is located within
Florida Statute 440.091, and the Workers' Compensation "for death" is located within
Florida Statute 440.16.
Contact: Division of Workers Compensation
Department of Financial Services
200 East Gaines Street
Tallahassee, Florida 32399-4228
(800) 342-1741 or (850) 413-1609
Workers.CompService@MyFloridaCFO.com
Educational Benefits
A deceased firefighter's spouse and children may be eligible to obtain the waiver of certain educational expenses while obtaining a career certificate,
undergraduate or postgraduate education at a State of Florida public school. The authority for this can be found in
Florida Statute 112.191. Details and conditions can be found in the Florida Administrative Code under
FAC 6C-7.008 and FAC 6C2-2.02414.
Each public educational facility has its own procedures and requirements for obtaining these waivers. The deceased firefighter's spouse and/or children should contact the student financial affairs office of the educational facility they are interested in or currently attending for further details.
Should you have any questions or require further information do not hesitate to contact the Safety Programs Manager, Charlie Brush, at Charlie.Brush@MyFloridaCFO.com or (352) 369-2836.
Retirement or Pension Plan Benefits
Most Career and Volunteer State, Municipal, and Special District Firefighters are covered under the Firefighters Pension Trust Fund. The contact information
for the MPOFRTF is provided below. However, some Florida jurisdictions have independent and/or supplementary plans or annuities for their Firefighters,
and for these you would have to contact the local authorities. Firefighter pension beneficiaries are covered in
Florida Statute 175.181, and death benefits prior to retirement are covered in
Florida Statute 175.201. The rule information about pension beneficiaries is located in FAC
Chapter 60S-4 Benefits, and the Benefits Payable Upon Death are specifically located in
FAC 60S-4.008.
Contact: Municipal Police Officers' and Firefighters Retirement Trust Funds Office
Division of Retirement
P. O. Box 3010
Tallahassee, Florida 32315-3010
(877) 738-6737
mpf@dms.MyFlorida.com
FEDERAL LINE-OF-DUTY DEATH RESOURCES
SPECIALIZED RESOURCES
Autopsy Guide
Firefighter Autopsy Protocol, United States Fire
Administration, 1991
Contact: United State Fire Administration
USFA Publications Center
16825 South Seton Avenue
Emmitsburg, Maryland 21727
(800) 561-3356
Funeral Guides
Chaplain's Manual: Fire Department Funerals, Federation of
Fire Chaplains, 1994
Contact: Federation of Fire Chaplains
Route 1, Box 155B
Clifton, Texas 76634
(254) 622-8514
chapdir1@aol.com
Funeral Procedures for Firefighters, National Volunteer Fire Council,
1991
Contact: National Volunteer Fire Council
1050 17th Street, NW, Suite 490
Washington, DC 20036
(202) 737-8484 or (888) ASK-NVFC
nvfcoffice@nvfc.org
IAFF Recommended Protocol for Line-of-Duty Deaths
The IAFF will provide this protocol at the request of the IAFF District Vice President or
local IAFF affiliates.
Contact: IAFF
1750 New York Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20006
(202) 737-8484
www.iaff.org/HS/LODD/funeralprotocol.htm
A Labor of Love, How to Write a Eulogy, Garry Schaeffer
This book offers tips on what to say and provides samples.
Contact: Gary Schaeffer
10807 Maestria Court
San Diego, CA 92124
(858) 268-8440
or:
www.eulogybook.net
Fallen Firefighter Survivor's Foundation
It is the goal of the Fallen Firefighter Survivor's Foundation to offer immediate financial and/or emotional assistance
to the surviving family members of any Firefighter killed in the line of duty across the United States. Please see the web site for assistance or further
information.
www.ffsfusa.org
Investigation Guide
Guide for Investigation of a Line of Duty Death,
International Association of Fire Chiefs
Contact: International Association of Fire Chiefs
4025 Fair Ridge Drive
Fairfax, Virginia 22033-2868
(703) 273-0911
publications@iafc.org
Honor Guard
The Florida Fire Service Honor Guard Association (The Honor Guard Section of the Florida Fire Chiefs' Association) can provide information, a unified
communication network, leadership, training, and education in presentations and protocols.
Contact: Florida Fire Chiefs' Association
880 Airport Road, Suite 110
Ormond Beach, Florida 32174
(386) 676-2744
info@ffca.org
LODD Investigations
All Line of Duty Deaths in Florida must be investigated by the State Fire Marshal. Please notify the agency below immediately:
Division of State Fire Marshal
Bureau of Fire Standards and Training
Safety Program Section
11655 NW Gainesville Road
Ocala, Florida 34482
(352) 369-2836
After normal business hours, the State Fire Marshal can be reached at (800) NET-FIRE
or through the State Warning Point at (800) 320-0519.
If you have experienced a Line-of-Duty Death and you need assistance, contact the Safety Program Office of the Bureau of Fire Standards and Training
at (352) 369-2836. We will provide assistance and we also have a publication called "For Those Who Gave So Much", by Dwaine E. Booth, that you may find
helpful.
