Kansas Insurance Commissioner Makes Firefighters Relief Fund Distribution

Kansas Insurance Commissioner Sandy Praeger is currently making the annual funds distribution to state and local firefighter relief organizations.

Nearly $12 million will be distributed among 569 local Firefighters Relief Associations (FRAs) across the state. That is nearly $342,000 more than the 2013 total.

“This fund assists firefighters and their families when an accident or death occurs in the line of duty,” Commissioner Praeger said. “We in the Kansas Insurance Department are honored to assist in its distribution.”

The local association funds are used for purchasing accident and health, disability, and life insurance premiums to assist firefighters and their families.

The money is generated by a 2 percent tax paid by insurance companies on fire and lightning insurance premiums written in Kansas for the previous calendar year. It is collected by the department, on behalf of the Kansas Firefighter Relief Act, and passed on to the FRAs, as set in Kansas law.

Also, the Kansas State Firefighters Association is receiving $479,095 this year for education and research purposes and to help fund the state association’s death benefit fund. These funds also come from the insurance company premium assessment.

Of the state association total, $379,095 is earmarked for educational purposes and research into fire prevention and firefighting, and $100,000 is used to replenish the death benefit fund.

Nearly $1.26 million in benefits was paid in 2013 to firefighters as a result of firefighting-related injuries or disability, and nearly $237,000 went to dependents of firefighters.

The Kansas Insurance Department, established in 1871, assists and educates consumers, regulates and reviews companies, and licenses agents selling insurance products in the state.

Source: Kansas Insurance Department