Title
Volunteer Fire Fighters Dependent Fund Board
Brief Description: Annually, the City must appoint members to the Volunteer Fire Fighters Dependent Fund Board.
Body
Legislative History
The Ohio Volunteer Fire Fighters' Dependents Fund (VFFDFB) was established in 1961 in Ohio Revised Code, Chapter 146, which provides for payments to the spouse or children of a volunteer (including paid-on-call) firefighter who is killed in the line of duty. It is funded by assessments based on the assessed value of property in the community. Hudson's assessment is $150 and occurs whenever the fund balance drops below a certain amount. Typically, there are two or three assessments each year. Additional federal and state benefits are available for firefighters killed or disabled in the line of duty.
Purpose & Explanation
A local board is established each year with membership from the Fire Department, City Council and the community. Its function is to prepare and submit an application upon the line of duty death of a firefighter. Membership on the 2026 VFFDFB consists of two (2) Council appointed members, two (2) Fire Department members, and one (1) citizen member. The Board's term is one calendar year. Barring a firefighter death or disability, the Board typically meets once a year for less than an hour. Two Council appointments are needed for the 2026 term.
Timing Considerations
Council must make its appointments by the second Monday of December.
Fiscal Impact
Currently Budgeted (Account #, $)
Supplemental Appropriation Required (Account #, $)
X Appropriation Not Required.
Recommendation
Suggested Action
Staff recommends appointing two members to the Volunteer Fire Fighters Dependent Fund Board.
Submitted by,
Thomas J. Sheridan, City Manager
Aparna Wheeler, Clerk of Council