Staff writer
Firefighters in Marion County are getting $76,975 from the Kansas Insurance Department to purchase insurance to protect firefighters.
Firefighter relief associations, based on fire districts, will receive these totals:
- Burns, $4,886.16;
- Florence, $3,926.40;
- Hillsboro, $14,212.53;
- Lehigh, $2,402.50;
- Lincolnville/Clear Creek, $6,097.33;
- Durham, $2,115.29;
- Goessel, $9,083.83;
- Ramona, $2,082.43;
- Peabody rural, $10,694.01;
- Lost Springs, $2,311.63;
- Marion, $14,039.84;
- Peabody, $3,124.97; and
- Tampa rural, $1,998.37.
The money comes from a two percent tax paid by insurance companies on fire and lightning policies written in Kansas during the previous year. It is collected by the insurance department and disbursed annually.
“This fund assists firefighters and their families when an accident or death occurs in the line of duty,” insurance commissioner Ken Selzer said.
John Boyd, program administrator, said the money will be used to buy accident and health, disability, and life insurance premiums.
Besides grants given to local firefighter relief associations, Kansas State Firefighters Association will receive $397,937 for education and research and $100,000 to replenish its death benefit fund.