Whaler
05-10-2006, 09:29 AM
Trumbull, Connecticut-- Volunteer firefighters and EMS personnel often come to the town's rescue.
Now, it's the town's turn.
The Town Council on Monday unanimously approved a plan that allows the volunteers to participate in the town's health plan.
However, they would be required to pay 100 percent of the premium, although the policies would be available at the town's lower group rates.
James Blanchfield, president of the Trumbull Center Fire Co., said he's not sure how many volunteers will take advantage of the health insurance offer.
"What we're going to do is look at the actual cost to members," he said, following approval by the council.
The hope, he said, is that the plan will give volunteer firefighters who have no other health coverage an option for care that might be less expensive.
"These individuals are in many cases our most seasoned firefighters," Blanchfield said.
State statute allows towns to provide forms of group life, health, accident and hospital plan benefits to active volunteers.
Trumbull, however, will not provide life insurance to the volunteers.
According to Ansonia Mayor Jim Della Volpe's office, that city does not offer health benefits to its volunteer firefighters and is not considering it. It does, however, offer a property tax abatement to the volunteers.
Trumbull already has criteria in place to determine eligibility for tax abatements to emergency-service volunteers and that same criteria will be used for the health insurance benefits.
"I think it's the least we can do," First Selectman Raymond G. Baldwin Jr. said.
According to Town Council Majority Leader Thomas Christiano, having a volunteer firefighting force, instead of a paid one, saves the town about $6 million each year.
Genevieve Reilly, who covers Trumbull, can be reached at 330-6256.
Now, it's the town's turn.
The Town Council on Monday unanimously approved a plan that allows the volunteers to participate in the town's health plan.
However, they would be required to pay 100 percent of the premium, although the policies would be available at the town's lower group rates.
James Blanchfield, president of the Trumbull Center Fire Co., said he's not sure how many volunteers will take advantage of the health insurance offer.
"What we're going to do is look at the actual cost to members," he said, following approval by the council.
The hope, he said, is that the plan will give volunteer firefighters who have no other health coverage an option for care that might be less expensive.
"These individuals are in many cases our most seasoned firefighters," Blanchfield said.
State statute allows towns to provide forms of group life, health, accident and hospital plan benefits to active volunteers.
Trumbull, however, will not provide life insurance to the volunteers.
According to Ansonia Mayor Jim Della Volpe's office, that city does not offer health benefits to its volunteer firefighters and is not considering it. It does, however, offer a property tax abatement to the volunteers.
Trumbull already has criteria in place to determine eligibility for tax abatements to emergency-service volunteers and that same criteria will be used for the health insurance benefits.
"I think it's the least we can do," First Selectman Raymond G. Baldwin Jr. said.
According to Town Council Majority Leader Thomas Christiano, having a volunteer firefighting force, instead of a paid one, saves the town about $6 million each year.
Genevieve Reilly, who covers Trumbull, can be reached at 330-6256.