VFIS of Texas News

VFIS-sponsored Award Winners Selected

Manchaca Volunteer Fire Department Wins Recruitment & Retention Award
Congratulations to Fire Chief Chris Barron and the Manchaca Volunteer Fire Department who were selected as the winner of the 2011 Recruitment & Retention Award, sponsored by VFIS. The award is presented annually to a department that has experienced excellent results to a comprehensive approach to retaining and recruiting members during a one-year period.

Ponderosa Fire Department Wins Safe Driving Award
Congratulations to Fire Chief Fred Windisch and the Ponderosa Fire Department who were selected as the winner of the 2011 Emergency Vehicle Safe Operations Achievement Award, sponsored by VFIS. The award is presented annually to a department that has experienced zero vehicle accidents during a one-year period.

Both awards will be presented at the VCOS Symposium in the Sun in Clearwater Beach, Florida in November. Congratulations to these departments on their accomplishments and for making Texas proud!

VFIS Offers New Safe Backing Program

Accidents resulting from backing emergency vehicles are unfortunately all too common. These incidents often result in minor property or vehicle damages but sometimes theyare severe or even fatal. To help reduce the risk of accidents and injuries related to vehicle backing incidents, VFIS has developed a new program “Safe Backing Practices for Fire and EMS.” The program outlines the hazards encountered when backing any style emergency vehicle and provides visual portrayals of several common situations that may occur.

Click here to preview a clip from this new program and how to order the kit.
http://www.vfis.com/SafeBackingPractices.htm

Now Available – VFIS Critical Illness Program

VFIS has recently introduced a new Critical Illness Program for emergency service organizations. The Critical Illness Program provides a cash lump sum when a member is first diagnosed with cancer, stroke or suffers a heart attack. In addition to these lump sum living benefits, if an insured dies accidentally, the beneficiary receives a death benefit. The condition or death does not have to be fire service related. The basic lump sum benefit is $10,000 and the premium per person is under $100 per year. Like all insurance policies, there are certain conditions, limitations and exclusions that are contained in the policy.

For more information on this program or for a proposal, please contact our office.

Recommendations for Allowing the Public to Ride Emergency Vehicles

As a rule, VFIS discourages the general public riding on any apparatus. However, if your department does want to provide public rides for a parade or open house, a VFIS underwriter will need to review the proposed plan and the following risk control recommendations should be considered:

No person should be allowed to ride on the tailboard, hose bed, hood or patient compartments.
Riders should be inside the cab, seated with the seat belt fastened.
Strictly limit the number of persons permitted on the apparatus in order to safely monitor and control the ride.
Under no circumstances should a rider be allowed to stay in a vehicle while it responds to an emergency call.
No on-duty vehicles should be involved in public rides.

Some departments might offer a Ride-Along program that allows community residents to ride along with the department to observe their operations when responding to an emergency scene. Programs such as this have unique exposures that need to be specifically reviewed and monitored carefully. A VFIS underwriter will need to provide guidance with this type of request well in advance of the event. Some risk control recommendations to consider are:

Written guidelines for a Ride-Along Program
Release and waiver for participants

Each of these situations require an appropriate degree of care and protection to the individuals and the organization. A thorough review by a VFIS underwriter of the proposed plans and safety measures well in advance of the event is paramount. Please contact your agent or account manager should your department consider allowing the public to ride your emergency vehicles.

SFFMA Offers New VFIS AD&D Benefits

Starting in 2011, SFFMA has offered a new optional VFIS Accidental Death & Dismemberment policy to their members. This policy provides a $20,000 benefit for an On-Duty Accidental Death and a $10,000 benefit for an Off-Duty Accidental Death. In addition, a $5,000 benefit is paid for a Severe Burn over 20% or more of the body. This policy is offered as an optional member benefit for only $10 per year for each individual member. Accidental death remains the #1 cause of death for working age people and many people do not have adequate life insurance to support their family in the event of their death. For more information on this member benefit, contact Diana Cardona at SFFMA at 800-580-7336.

Rural Volunteer Fire Department Insurance Program (HB 3667)

The deadline for assistance for calendar year 2011 under HB 3667 is August 31, 2011. This grant will reimburse fire departments for the purchase of insurance from private insurance companies. Eligible coverage includes any combination of Workers’ Compensation, Death and/or Disability Insurance (including the new $10,000/$20,000 optional SFFMA member benefit). The program will reimburse up to $90.00 per firefighter covered in calendar year 2011. For more information and an application for this program, go to http://texasforestservice.tamu.edu/main/popup.aspx?id=9442.

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