Article 13 Death Benefits

Section 2: Effective on contract ratification by the City Commission, the following changes will be implemented.

As of January 1, 2020, the following changes will be effective:

Sec. 12-48 (i) (5) The maximum period of DROP participation shall be changed from five (5) years to (7) seven years.

Further amend Sec. 12-48 to establish a Back-DROP, and or Partial Lump Sum Option benefit to include the definition of a Back-Drop/ Partial Lump Sum Option date, Maximum time period and Benefits payable under one or both of these options. (The Union and the City of Coral Springs will continue to finalize appropriate language related to Back-Drop provisions no later than October 1, 2020)

As of December 20, 2019, the following changes will be effective:

A member who has been rehired or transferred into a part-time or full-time position with the City as a fire academy instructor, fire chief, or any civilian position, may, upon attaining normal retirement eligibility as defined in section 12-48(a), elect to continue to receive, or to commence, distribution of normal service retirement benefits, notwithstanding anything in section 12-48 to the contrary. Any person in receipt of benefits under this provision will not be able to accrue any additional service credits under this Plan.

The City will allow Members to take loans against their 457 balances in accordance with IRS regulations.

ARTICLE 13 DEATH BENEFITS

The City will provide each member with $75,000 basic life insurance with an additional $75,000 accidental death and dismemberment insurance. Such payments shall be made to the beneficiary designated by such firefighter in writing, signed by the firefighter and delivered to the employer during the firefighter's lifetime. If no such designation is made, then it shall be paid to the firefighter's surviving child or children and spouse in equal portions, and if there be no surviving child or spouse, then to the firefighter's parent or parents. If a beneficiary designation is not made and there is no surviving child, spouse, or parent, then it shall be paid to the firefighter's estate.

Such payments shall be in addition to any workers' compensation, State benefits, or pension benefits payable to the employee and/or their beneficiaries and/or their estate.

The City also agrees that in the event of the employee’s death in the line of duty, the beneficiary shall receive a lump sum payment for 100% of the employee’s accrued sick leave, annual leave, and compensatory leave.

In accordance with Department Standard Operating Procedure for all active and retired bargaining unit members, upon death, shall be entitled to a traditional firefighter’s funeral and procession, including use of City fire vehicles to transport the remains to the final resting place within a 100 mile radius of the City limits, subject to the availability of equipment.

In addition to the benefits outlined above, the following benefits are also available as provided by the Florida Statutes:

STATE OF FLORIDA LINE-OF-DUTY DEATH RESOURCES

State Death Benefit

The State of Florida Death Benefit for Firefighters is governed under Florida Statute 112.191 and Florida Administrative Code 69A-64. There are three levels of benefits based upon the circumstances leading to the death. This benefit may be available to both Career and Volunteer Firefighters. This benefit is paid in addition to any worker's compensation or pension benefits.

Contact: Assistant Director Division of State Fire Marshal Department of Financial Services 200 East Gaines Street Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0340 (850) 413-3607

State Workers' Compensation Benefit and Funeral Benefit

The Workers' Compensation Benefit may be available to either Career or Volunteer Firefighters. The definition of employment includes firefighters responding to or assisting with fire or medical emergencies whether or not the firefighters are on duty. The Workers' Compensation "acting within the course of employment" is located within Florida Statute 440.091, and the Workers' Compensation "for death" is located within Florida Statute 440.16.

Contact: Division of Workers Compensation Department of Financial Services 200 East Gaines Street Tallahassee, Florida 32399-4228 (800) 742-2214 or (850) 413-1610