Who is eligible?

Recognized, non-profit volunteer fire departments operated by its members are eligible. Any part-paid/part-volunteer fire department is also eligible, provided the number of paid members is 20 or less. Departments may enter into agreements with cities or counties in order to qualify for coverage and/or special premiums.

The volunteer fire department must be a recognized fire department, located in and operating within a designated primary protection area as assigned by the county. Primary protection areas cannot overlap. The fire department must be in good standing with the State of Texas and the agency.

All eligible departments must participate in a firefighter certification program administered under Section 419.071 of the Texas Government Code (Texas Commission on Fire Protection), or by the State Firefighters’ and Fire Marshals' Association of Texas (SFFMA), or by the National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG).

What is eligible?

Any combination of compensation insurance for firefighters (workers' compensation, accidental death and dismemberment, group term life, accident and sickness, and/or cancer insurance) is eligible. The insurance coverage must include a workers' compensation or similar benefit, and a death benefit. Departments may enter into agreements with cities or counties in order to qualify for coverage and/or special premiums.

Types of Eligible Insurance

• Worker's Compensation: Provides medical expenses, lost wages, and rehabilitation costs to employees who are injured or become ill in the course and scope of their job. Also pays death benefits to families of employees who are killed on the job.
• Accidental Death and Dismemberment: Pays out if you die or get seriously injured in an accident, such as a car crash.
• Group Term Life: Provides a base amount of group coverage provided to employees by their employer. It covers employees for however long (the "term") they work for the employer, as long as the employer maintains the policy. In the event of the individual/employee's death, a death benefit is paid out to the individual's beneficiary.
  • Note: Group term life is different than whole/permanent life insurance. Unlike term life, permanent life insurance policies do not expire and tend to combine a death benefit with a savings portion. Permanent life insurance policies offer the ability to withdraw money at a certain point, whereas term life insurance does not offer this ability. Because of this, whole/permanent life insurance is not eligible.
   
• Accident and Sickness: Helps pay for expenses relating to accidental injuries (such as burns, breaking a leg, stroke) or critical illnesses.
• Cancer: Helps pay for both medical and non-medical costs like co-pays, deductibles, lengthy hospital stays, diagnostic tests, treatments and procedures, childcare, travel and lodging expenses, lost income, and more. 

Application Procedure

To apply, please fill out and submit the following:

• Rural VFD Insurance Program Application for Assistance
• Texas A&M Forest Service Roster for Active Insured Fire Department Members
• W-9
• Copy of insurance documents containing:
  • Provider's name
  • Policy number(s)
  • Premium amount(s)
  • Coverage type(s)
  • Policy effective dates

Eligible types of insurance:

• Workers' Compensation
• Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance
• Group Term Life Insurance
• Accident and Sickness Insurance
• Cancer-related Insurance
 

The program will reimburse 100% of the actual cost of eligible insurance coverage, up to a maximum of $185.00 per fire department member covered in the calendar year 2022.

Annual Reports/Historical Funding Summaries