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History Timeline

HISTORY TIMELINE

  • 1935 - The relief plan started and was administered by the State Auditor.
  • 1945 - The pension plan started and was administered by the State Auditor.
  • 1955 - The Board for Volunteer Firemen was established to administer the Volunteer Firemen's Relief & Pension Act (RCW 41.24).
  • 1955 - Herbert Faubion, Jr. appointed Executive Secretary.
  • 1956 - Limited offer: new members were able to buy back years of service.
  • 7/01/76 - Joseph H. Faubion appointed Executive Secretary.
  • 9/01/79 - Members with less than 25 years of service were allowed to vest.
  • 7/01/89 - The joint survivor option was added.
  • 7/01/92 - Act name changed to Volunteer Fire Fighters' Relief and Pension Act - Board changed to Board for Volunteer Fire Fighters.
  • 7/01/93 - Emergency medical service districts allowed to receive disability and pension plan coverage.
  • 7/01/95 - Reserve law enforcement officers allowed to join pension plan - Board changed to Board for Volunteer Firefighters and Reserve Officers.
  • 7/01/96 - Disability compensation increased from $55.00/day to $85.00/day.
  • 7/01/98 - $150,000 death benefit enacted for firefighters and reserve officers covered under "death and disability provisions".
  • 7/25/99 - Reserve law enforcement officers allowed coverage under the relief provisions of the act.
  • 7/25/99 - Pop-up provision added to joint survivor option.
  • 7/01/00 - Brigette K. Smith appointed Executive Secretary.
  • 7/01/01 - COLA added to disability and survivor pensions.
  • 7/01/02 - Deleted the restriction on number of volunteer firefighters allowed in a fire department.
  • 2/1/17 - Hailey Blankenship appointed Executive Secretary

Maximum pension increases

  • 9/01/79 from $100.00 to $150.00
  • 7/01/81 from $150.00 to $200.00
  • 7/01/92 from $200.00 to $225.00
  • 7/25/99 from $225.00 to $280.00
  • 7/01/03 from $280.00 to $300.00

Fire Department disability fee increases:

  • 7/01/63 from $3.00 to $5.00
  • 7/01/89 from $5.00 to $10.00
  • 7/24/05 from $10.00 to $30.00

Fire Department pension fee increases:

  • 7/01/73 from $22.00 to $30.00
  • 7/01/92 from $30.00 to $60.00

Reserve Officer and EMSD disability fees:

  • 1995 (EMSD only) $50.00
  • 1997 (EMSD only) $40.00
  • 1999 $50.00
  • 2000 $60.00
  • 2001 $65.00
  • 2002 $80.00
  • 2003 $90.00
  • 2004 $85.00
  • 2005 $100.00
  • 2006 $100.00
  • 2007 $120.00
  • 2008 $100.00
  • 2009 $135.00
  • 2010 $145.00
  • 2011 $140.00
  • 2012 $150.00
  • 2013 $170.00
  • 2014 $185.00
  • 2015 $215.00
  • 2016 $235.00
  • 2017-2023 $235.00
  • 2024 $240.00

Reserve Officer and EMSD pension fees:

  • 1995 (EMSD only) $110.00
  • 1995 (Reserve officers only) $100.00
  • 1996 (EMSD only) $100.00
  • 1997 $110.00
  • 2001 $145.00
  • 2002 $130.00
  • 2003 $120.00
  • 2004 $130.00
  • 2005 $125.00
  • 2006 $125.00
  • 2007 $  90.00
  • 2008 $115.00
  • 2009 $100.00
  • 2010 $135.00
  • 2011 $120.00
  • 2012 $120.00
  • 2013 $120.00
  • 2014 $120.00
  • 2015 $135.00
  • 2016 $135.00
  • 2017- 2023 $135.00
  • 2024 $140