Area firefighter relief associations in Morris County, Chase County, Herington and Alta Vista will receive a combined $78,696.86 through the Kansas Firefighters Relief Act.
Kansas Insurance Commissioner Vicki Schmidt announced Monday that the Kansas Department of Insurance has made its annual distribution to local Firefighter Relief Associations across the state. In all, $20,743,262.24 was distributed to 552 associations in Kansas.
“Firefighters put their lives on the line to keep us safe, and the Kansas Firefighters Relief Act acknowledges that by providing additional protections for firefighters and their loved ones,” Schmidt said. “The Act not only gives first responders needed safety nets, but it also allows local communities to provide their citizens with improved firefighting equipment and resources.”
The funds are generated through a 2% tax paid by insurance companies on fire and lightning insurance premiums written in Kansas. According to the Kansas Department of Insurance, local associations primarily use the funds for insurance premiums and safety improvements.
Relief funds may be used to help pay health, accident, disability and life insurance premiums for local firefighters. Funds also may be loaned to local governing entities for safety enhancements, including new firetrucks, fire station improvements and firefighting gear.
Morris County firefighter relief associations will receive a combined $35,861.18. The distributions include Council Grove Firefighter Relief Association, $12,085.44; Dunlap District #9 Firefighter Relief Association, $3,844.21; Dwight Firefighter Relief Association, $5,795.43; Grandview Fire District #5 Firefighter Relief Association, $2,655.13; White City Firefighter Relief Association, $7,209.29; and Wilsey Fire District #13 Firefighter Relief Association, $4,271.68.
The Chase County Rural Fire District #1 Firefighter Relief Association will receive $21,987.11. Alta Vista Firefighter Relief Association will receive $4,358.77, and Herington Firefighter Relief Association will receive $16,489.80.
The distributions provide support for local fire departments and the volunteers and first responders who serve Flint Hills communities.