Firefighters’ Relief Fund
NC General Statutes 58-84-1 thru 58-84-60
Questions We Will Cover
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What is the Firefighters’ Relief
Fund?
How is it funded?
How can my fire department
participate?
How can the relief fund money be
spent?
What is the Firefighters’ Relief Fund?
A benefit to financially assist a firefighter
that has been injured or killed In-LineOf-Duty
NCGS 58-84-35 (2a) To provide
assistance to a destitute firefighter and
(5) Supplemental retirement & other
benefits
How is it Funded?
All NC licensed insurance companies pay to
the NC Dept. of Revenue a portion of the
Fire & Lightning coverage of all property
insurance
All County Tax Administrator’s report to the
NC Dept. of Insurance the County
population and the property tax value for
each rated fire insurance district
How Can My Department Participate?
A relief fund board of trustees must
be elected.
Two are elected by the fire department.
Two are appointed by the City or
County Commissioner’s.
One is appointed by the Insurance
Commissioner.
One of the five members will be elected as
the relief fund treasurer.
Membership Required - NCSFA
A fire department must be a member of the
NC State Firemen’s Association.
Financial Reports - NCSFA
The fire department must submit a
financial report of the local relief fund
account to the NC State Firemen’s
Association each year. The financial
statement will be mailed from the
Association to the fire department
each June. The financial statement
must be received by the Association
no later than October 31 annually.
It must also include a copy of the bank
statement.
Report of Fire Conditions
A Report of Fire Condition must be filed
annually with the NC Dept. of Insurance
by October 31. The NC Dept. of
Insurance notifies each City and/or
County Clerk-Finance Officer in August
to file the report. NCGS 58-84-46
requires the Clerk-Finance Officer to file
a report for all rated fire districts. The
report provides the local relief fund
board of trustees names and identifies
the treasurer.
How Can the Relief Fund Money Be Spent?
There are three reasons for requesting
monies from the Firefighters’ Relief Fund
Primarily, they are to be used for a Lineof-Duty injury. The local relief fund board
will determine the amount disbursed
based on the earning capacity of the
firefighter.
Secondly, to provide assistance to a
destitute firefighter with 5 years of
service. The local relief fund board will
determine the need and the amount of
financial assistance. The relief fund
board must obtain the approval of the
NC State Firemen’s Association before
disbursement of funds.
Lastly, to provide for benefits of
supplemental retirement, workers
compensation and other insurance &
pension protection. The relief fund
board must obtain the approval of the
NC State Firemen’s Association
before disbursement of funds.
Frequently asked questions
Who has control of the Relief Fund
monies?
The local Relief Fund Board has control
of the funds.
My department is owned & operated by
a municipal government, do they control
the relief fund?
No. The local Relief Fund Board of
Trustee’s controls the funds.
FAQ’s Continued
Can the Local Relief Fund Board make
all disbursement decisions?
No. All requests to withdraw money
from this fund MUST be approved by
the local board and the NC State
Firemen’s Association. This ensures
the fund balance remains actuarially
sound for its original intent, to assist an
injured firefighter.
Who Appoints the Relief Fund Board of Trustee’s?
The fire department elects two
representatives, the City &/or County
appoints two representatives and the
Insurance Commissioner appoints one
appointee. One of the five board members
will be elected to serve as the relief fund
treasurer.
Do the Relief Fund Board Members
Have to be a Resident of the Fire District?
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The two fire department appointees shall
be residents of the fire district OR active
or retired members of the fire department
The two City/County Commissioner
appointees shall be a resident of the fire
district
The Insurance Commissioner appointee
shall be a resident of the fire district OR
an active or retired member of the fire
department
What is the Term for Board Members?
A board member’s term shall be as follows: the fire
department and City/County Commissioners shall
hold an election each January to elect their
representatives to the board.
One member will serve for two years and one
member will serve for one year.
Thereafter, each year in January they shall elect
only one member, and his term of office shall be
for two years.
The Commissioner of Insurance appointee shall
serve at the pleasure of the Insurance
Commissioner.
How is the Relief Fund Treasurer Bonded?
Each local relief fund treasurer is
bonded through the State, from the
administrative/bond fees. Each
treasurer is bonded up to $1,000,000.00
(One Million Dollars)
There is a $25,000 deductible across the
board for any FRF claims
Contact Information
CONTACT INFORMATION:
NC Department of Insurance
1-800-634-7854
Relief Fund Administrator
NC State Firemen’s Association
1-800-253-4733