RD2 - The Feasibility of Providing Retirement Benefits To or Establishing a Retirement Fund For Volunteer Firefighters and Rescue Squad Personnel


Executive Summary:
Budget Item 549 F., approved during the 1996 session of the General Assembly, requested the Virginia Retirement System (VRS) to study the feasibility of providing retirement benefits to or establishing a retirement fund for volunteer firefighters and rescue squad personnel. A copy of the Budget Item may be found in Appendix B.

The scope of the study consisted of interviewing volunteers, soliciting comments from state and national organizations representing volunteer firefighters and rescue squad personnel, surveying the independent retirement systems in the Commonwealth and retirement systems of other states, and consulting with the VRS actuary. Also, VRS staff attended the State Fire Chiefs Association of Virginia Summer Conference, the 110th Annual Convention of the Virginia State Firefighters Association, and the 62nd Annual Convention of the Virginia Association of Volunteer Rescue Squads, Inc.

In addition to studying the feasibility of providing retirement benefits, the focus of the study was expanded to include: recruitment and retention of volunteers; level of existing benefits; recognition of volunteer service; existing funding sources; and the legal status of fire departments and rescue squads.