Chapter 2.44
VOLUNTEER FIREMEN’S RELIEF AND PENSION ACT
Sections:
2.44.010 Enrollment under state act.
2.44.020 Authorization to enroll.
2.44.030 Fees—Continuance of provisions.
2.44.070 Board of trustees established.
2.44.080 Officers of board of trustees.
2.44.120 State statutes adopted.
2.44.010 Enrollment under state act.
Every fireman, whether volunteer, part-paid, or full-paid, duly appointed for service with the city fire department, is hereby enrolled under the relief and compensation provisions of RCW 41.24, known as the Volunteer Firemen’s Relief and Pensions Act, for the purpose of providing protection for all its firemen and their families from death or disability arising in the performance of their duties as firemen. (Ord. 259 § 1, 1970).
2.44.020 Authorization to enroll.
Any such fireman is authorized to enroll under the pension provisions of the act referred to in Section 2.44.010 for the purpose of enabling him, so electing, to avail himself of the retirement provisions of said act. (Ord. 259 § 2, 1970).
2.44.030 Fees—Continuance of provisions.
The city treasurer/finance officer shall collect and pay the fees as provided for in the act referred to in Section 2.44.010, and shall continue to make such provisions for all firemen who come under said act as long as they continue to be members of the city fire department. (Ord. 259 § 3, 1970).
2.44.040 Limited number.
The number of duly appointed firemen, whether volunteer, part-paid, or full-paid, of the Connell fire department, is limited to thirty firemen. (Ord 604 § 1, 1992: Ord. 259 § 4, 1970).
2.44.050 Fees designated.
The city treasurer/finance officer shall pay to the State Treasurer, into the trust fund, designated the volunteer firemen’s relief and pension fund, on or before the first day of March of each year hereafter, an annual fee for each member of its fire department for the purpose of affording the members of the city fire department with protection from death or disability or for retirement benefits, as provided in the act referred to in Section 2.44.010, as follows:
(1) Five dollars for each volunteer or part-paid member of its fire department; and
(2) A sum equal to one percent of the annual salary attached to the rank of each full-paid member of its fire department;
(3) An annual fee of twenty-two dollars for each of its firemen electing to enroll in the retirement provisions of said act, ten dollars of which shall be paid by the city, and twelve dollars of which shall be paid by the fireman. (Ord. 259 § 5, 1970).
2.44.060 Pension fees.
Any member of the fire department electing to enroll under the pension provisions of the act referred to in Section 2.44.010 shall pay to the city treasurer/finance officer twelve dollars per year, on or before the first day of February of each year hereafter, so long as he elects to maintain his enrollment under such provisions. (Ord. 259 § 6, 1970).
2.44.070 Board of trustees established.
There is created a board of trustees for the administration of the volunteer firemen’s relief and pensions act and this chapter, consisting of the city mayor, the city clerk/treasurer, one city councilman, the city fire chief, and one member of the city fire department to be elected by the members of such department for a term of one year and annually thereafter. (Ord. 259 § 7, 1970).
2.44.080 Officers of board of trustees.
The mayor shall be chairman of the board of trustees and the city clerk/treasurer shall be the secretary-treasurer. The secretary shall keep a public record of all proceedings, of all receipts and disbursements made by the board of trustees and shall make an annual report of its expenses and disbursements with a full list of the beneficiaries of said fund, such record to be placed on file in the city clerk/treasurer’s office, and a copy filed with the State Auditor. (Ord. 259 § 8, 1970).
2.44.090 Duties of board.
The board of trustees shall provide for enrollment of all members of the fire department under the death and disability provisions of the volunteer firemen’s relief and pensions act; receive all applications for the enrollment under the retirement provisions thereof; provide for disbursements of relief and compensation; determine the eligibility of firemen for pensions; and pass on all claims and direct payment thereof from the volunteer firemen’s relief and pension fund to those entitled thereto. Vouchers shall be signed by the chairman and secretary of the board issued to the persons entitled thereto for the amount of money ordered paid to them from the fund by the board. The vouchers shall state for what purpose the payment is made. It shall send to the state board after each meeting, a list of all persons entitled to payment from the fund, stating the amount of such payment and for what granted, which list shall be certified and signed by the chairman and the secretary of the board, attested under oath. (Ord. 259 § 9, 1970).
2.44.100 Board meetings.
The board of trustees shall meet on the call of its chairman on a regular monthly meeting day when there is business to come before it. The chairman shall be required to call a meeting on any regular meeting day at the request of any member of the fund or his beneficiary claiming any relief, compensation or pension therefrom. (Ord. 259 § 10, 1970).
2.44.110 Appointed physician.
The board shall make provisions for the employment of a regularly licensed practicing physician for the examination of members of the fire department making application for membership. Such appointed physician shall visit and examine all sick and injured firemen, perform such services and operations and render all medical aid and care necessary for the recovery of firemen on account of sickness and disability received while in the performance of duties. Such appointed physician shall be paid his fees from said fund, but not in excess of the schedule of fees for like services approved by the Director of Labor and Industries under RCW Title 51. No physician or surgeon, not approved by the board, shall receive or be entitled to any compensation from said fund as the private or attending physician of any fireman. No person shall have any right of action against the board of trustees of said fund for the negligence of any physician or surgeon employed by it. Any physician employed by the board to attend upon any fireman shall report his findings in writing to said board. (Ord. 259 § 11, 1970).
2.44.120 State statutes adopted.
There is adopted and by this reference, made a part hereof, RCW 41.24, entitled Volunteer Firemen’s Relief and Pensions Act, as amended, or hereafter amended, including, but not limited by this enumeration, the definition of terms therein, hearing of application for benefits, appeals, vote on allowance of claims, appointment of guardians, disability payments, death benefits, retirement pensions, lump sum payments, certificate of disability or tenure, hospitalization, surgery, funeral and burial expenses. (Ord. 259 ß12, 1970).
2.44.130 Testimony.
The board of trustees, in addition to other powers granted by the act referred to in Section 2.44.120, shall have power to compel the attendance of witnesses to testify before it on all matters connected with the operation of RCW 41.24, and this chapter, and its chairman or any member of the board may administer oaths to such witnesses; to make all necessary rules and regulations for its guidance in conformity with the provisions of said act; Provided, however, that no compensation or emoluments shall be paid to any member of the board of trustees for any duties performed under said act, as trustees. (Ord. 259 § 13, 1970).