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Case #5 <br /> <br />SHORT TERM DISABILITY FOR THE RAMSEY FIRE DEPARTMENT <br /> By: Kay McAIoney, Personnel Coordinator <br /> <br />Background: <br /> <br />Workers' compensation benefits are not calculated similarly for volunteer fire fighters <br />as for other occupations. This means thal some of the fire fighters may not earn <br />compensation comparable to their regular annual salary when on workers' <br />compensation. It also means that some fire fighters will make more than their regular <br />annual salary when on workers' compensation. <br /> <br />In an effort to alleviate some of the disparities between the fire fighters regular annual <br />salary and the amount earned while on workers' compensation, the City of Ramsey staff <br />has looked into a short-term disability plan for the volunteer Fire Department. All 25 <br />fire fighters were contacted to get occupation (outside the City of Ramsey) and their <br />annual wage at that occupation. The average annual salary of the 23 that responded <br />(92% of the fire fighters) is $27,260. <br /> <br />Allan Roth at the Alexander Todd Group was contacted to present a proposal for a short- <br />term disability policy for the fire fighters. The monthly total disability income benefit <br />is $800 for accident or sickness with an elimination period of 15 days. The maximum <br />period for which benefits are payable on accident or sickness is two years. The cost of <br />this proposal is $18.98 per month per fire fighter, or currently $5,694 annually for <br />25 fire fighters. When covered by this disability plan the fire fighters are covered <br />whether they are injured on duty or off. <br /> <br />Does the City of Ramsey provide shod-term disability to the Fire Department? If yes, <br />how will it be provided? Through Employer or through a contribution to the Fire <br />Fighters Relief Association General Fund? <br /> <br />Recommendation: <br /> <br />One recommendation is to have the City of Ramsey provide short-term disability as <br />listed above. The approximate cost of the plan would be $5,694 annually. <br /> <br />Another recommendation is to have the City of Ramsey make a contribution to the Fire <br />Fighters Relief Association General Fund. The..City would contribute $230 per current <br />25 fire fighters per year. The cost of the contribution would be $5,750. It would then <br />be the responsibility of the Fire Fighters Relief Association to obtain a short-term <br />disability policy for its members. <br /> <br />Council Action: <br /> <br />Motion to approve the short-term disability plan for the volunteer Fire Department to <br />be administered by the City of Ramsey; or motion to approve a City of Ramsey <br />contribution to the Fire Fighters Relief Association General Fund of $5,750.. <br /> <br />%. <br /> <br />Review Checklist: <br /> <br />City Administrator <br />Finance Officer <br />Personnel Coordinator <br /> <br />CC:12/1 1/90 <br /> <br /> <br />