In this article I would like to bring all VSFA members up to date on the “Workman’s Compensation Bill”. The bill is presently going through the Legislative process to have its language changed to cover a injury a Volunteer Firefighter, might endure while performing his or her duties (station maintenance) in and around their stations. We are looking to change the wording to say, “ALL ACTIVITIES” for “Emergency Services Providers“. This will cover Volunteer Fire Departments, Rescue Squads, Search and Rescue Teams, Swift Water Rescue Teams, and any other specialty squads that I may not have mentioned. I can not give you the full reading of the bill at this time.

The hard work of getting this wording change has been spearheaded by Fire Fighter Mike Richards of the Colchester Volunteer Fire Department, with the support of the Colchester Volunteer Fire Department, Vt. State Fire Fighters Assoc., VSFA Legislative Committee, Volunteer Chiefs of Vt., and to the Senators and Representatives that represent us in Montpelier.

A little history on how this issue came about. In 2011 a member of the Colchester Volunteer Fire Department was injured while performing station maintenance. Many of us do this to save tax dollars and to show pride in our stations. This individual was hurt and was unable to work and support his family for a number of weeks. A Workers Comp claim was put in for this individual by the Colchester Volunteer Fire Dept. Colchester is an Incorporated Fire Department so they maintain their own Workers comp. insurance. The claim was denied by their Workers Comp. carrier, saying station maintenance was not covered under the workers compensation statute. But if this individual was training or raising money it would have been covered. The claim was appealed before the Vt. Labor Relations Board for Workers Compensation. The Board rule in favor of the fire fighter and he was able to collect only after he had to hire a lawyer to help him with this process.

This bill is to help assure this situation never happens again in the future. Our jobs are tough enough as Emergency Services Volunteers without having to worry if we are covered in performing our duties.

To date the Senate has heard testimony from Firefighter Richards. On Feb 22, 2012 Firefighter Richards, Colchester Volunteer Fire Department, and VSFA gave testimony to the House Committee.

VSFA and the Colchester Volunteer Fire Department are in hopes that this bill can be passed in this Legislative Session. What helps the cause is many of the Senators and Representatives are Emergency Responders in their communities they represent. They know how much this bill means to all of us.

We as Emergency Services Providers perform a wide range of duties in support our respective Departments, save tax payer dollars when ever we can as in this example. We show great pride in our stations to our communities and to any potential new members that would like to give back to their communities.

VSFA stands behind its members because without, “YOU”, the members we would not be where we are today.