By Doug Nelson, State Fire Marshal
This month, our thoughts are with all the front-line firefighters who are being challenged across the state (and country) with a busy and dangerous fire season. Last month, the North Dakota fire service experienced two injured firefighters during a challenging fire with fast-moving and variable wind conditions. We pray for a quick and full recovery for both firefighters. The fire department also lost a brush truck during this fire. This is a good time to make sure you are prepared for your firefighters. We pray and hope that the worst days never come, but it is important to have everything in place in case it does.
During the Legislative Session, Senate Bill 2135 raised the Firefighter Death Benefit under North Dakota Century Code 18-05.1. The bill (linked below) raised the benefit from ten thousand dollars to twenty-five thousand dollars to a deceased firefighter’s survivor. The benefit is contingent upon receipt of the request to the Insurance Commissioner and evidence of a line of duty death from the fire chief or the fire chief’s designee. We train, communicate, and work together to ensure that this benefit is never needed, but it is important to be aware and prepared. The Insurance Department’s “Request for Line of Duty Death Benefit” form can be found here. Please note that there may be other forms and other information (see the form) that fire chiefs should keep on file for each firefighter.
Under North Dakota Century Code t65c06, Volunteer Firefighters are entitled to Worker Safety Insurance coverage. Please check out our guest blog this month from WSI to learn more about how to ensure your fire department/district and firefighters are covered. Verify that you are covered correctly by visiting their website here.
Another resource for injury and property coverage may be a separate insurance policy through a private company for various types of necessary or additional coverage. Please reach out to the North Dakota Insurance Department here for further details about obtaining the correct insurance for your department/district and firefighters.
The legislature is still in session, and throughout the State Fire Marshal’s Office will watch fire service bills. Currently, we are tracking the following (green has passed both sides of the legislature and been signed into law by the Governor):
HB 1112, Relating to membership of state firefighters in the public employees retirement system.
HB 1086, Relating to the use of the reduced cigarette ignition propensity and the insurance regulatory trust fund.
HB 1139, Relating to a sales and excise tax exemption for fire departments.
HB 1281, Relating to motor vehicle fuel tax, special fuels tax, and aviation fuel tax refunds for fuels purchased by fire departments.
HB 1528, Relating to arson and endangering by fire or explosion; and to provide a penalty.
SB 2090, Relating to updating language for the state fire marshal department.
SB 2135, Relating to the firefighter’s death benefits fund.
SB 2218, A Bill for an Act to provide an appropriation to the insurance commissioner for a North Dakota firefighter’s association grant; and to declare an emergency.
SB 2336, Relating to the regulation of conveyances and elevator contractors, mechanics, and inspectors.
SB 2339, Relating to strict liability and a wildfire mitigation plan of a qualified utility.
SB 2340, A Bill for an Act to provide for a legislative management study to evaluate the evolving fire service operational and response needs of the state.
Let’s hope that spring rains will soon ease the conditions out there, but until then, please take time to ensure that you have the correct coverage at your department/district. Be safe and let us know if there is anything we can help with.