Fire Standards

FIREFIGHTERS
SUPPLEMENTAL COMPENSATION
PROGRAM

Eligibility Requirements for Supplemental Compensation

To be eligible to receive the Supplemental Compensation provided for by Section 633.382(3), Florida Statutes, the following requirements must be met:

(1) Be a full-time certified firefighter in compliance with Section 633.35, Florida Statutes, and employed solely within the fire department of the employing agency as a full-time firefighter.

(2) Possess an eligible Associate or Bachelor's Degree.

Enrollment Procedures for Supplemental Compensation

To receive the Supplemental Compensation provided for by Section 633.382(3), Florida Statutes, the following procedures must be followed:

(1) Firefighter must submit an Application for Initial Entry into Supplemental Compensation Program (DFS-K4-1057).

and

(2) Post-Secondary Institution shall transmit one official sealed transcript indicating degree awarded to be reviewed by your Fire Chief.

and

(3) Firefighter must submit a complete job description from the employing agency to the Bureau of Fire Standards and Training.

and

(4) A letter from your Fire Chief

(5) The Bureau of Fire Standards and Training will, upon approval of the application, transcript, and job description, send a letter of Official Acceptance Notification to the employing agency with a copy to the firefighter. The Official Acceptance Notification must be received by the employing agency before the firefighter's name can be included in the Supplemental Compensation Program.

Upgrading from Associate Level to Bachelor Level

A firefighter who is in the Supplemental Compensation Program at the associate level, and who has earned a Bachelor's Degree that is applicable to fire department duties, as outlined in policy guidelines of the division, may apply for an upgrade by following these procedures:

(1) Firefighter must submit a Application for Request for Upgrade from Associate Level to Bachelor Level (DFS-K4-1442).

and

(2) Post-Secondary Institution shall transmit one official sealed transcript indicating Bachelor Degree awarded to be reviewed by your Fire Chief.

and

(3) A letter from your Fire Chief

and

(4) Firefighter must submit a complete job description from the employing agency to the Bureau of Fire Standards and Training.

(5) The Bureau of Fire Standards and Training will, upon approval of the Request for Upgrade, transcript, and job description, send a letter of Official Notification of Upgrade to the employing agency with a copy to the firefighter. The Official Notification of Upgrade must be received by the employing agency before the firefighter's supplemental compensation can be increased to the bachelor level.

Cessation of Supplemental Compensation

A firefighter shall become ineligible to receive Supplemental Compensation benefits under the following circumstances:

(1) If transferred to a position or reclassified and no longer serving in the capacity of full-time firefighter in compliance with Sections 633.30(1) and 633.35, Florida Statutes. However, a firefighter shall become eligible for re-entry into the Supplemental Compensation Program if returned to a position as a full-time firefighter.

(2) If terminated from the employing agency. However, a firefighter shall become eligible for re-entry into the Supplemental Compensation program at the point when the firefighter is rehired by an employing agency and the Application for Re-Entry into Firefighter Supplemental Compensation Program (DFS-K4-1056) and required documentation is submitted and approved.

(3) If the firefighter takes a leave of absence without pay. However, a firefighter shall become eligible for re-entry into the Supplemental Compensation program when the leave of absence without pay is completed and the firefighter returns to duty, and the Application for Re-Entry into Firefighter Supplemental Compensation Program (DFS-K4-1056) is submitted and approved.

(4) If a firefighter is suspended without pay. However, a firefighter shall become eligible for re-entry into the Supplemental Compensation program if the suspension is repealed and the Application for Re-Entry into Firefighters Supplemental Compensation Program (DFS-K4-1056) is submitted and approved.

(5) If the firefighter loses his/her certification pursuant to Section 633.351, Florida Statutes.

(6) Effective date of ineligibility shall be that date on which the firefighter ceases to receive compensation from the employing agency for performing the duties of a full-time firefighter.

(a) The required Notice of Ineligibility Form (DFS-K4-1055) is to be submitted by the employing agency within ten (10) business days from the date a firefighter becomes ineligible.

(b) Supplemental Compensation benefits will be prorated for the number of days worked for the month in which the firefighter becomes ineligible.

(c) It shall be the responsibility of the employing agency to notify the Bureau of Fire Standards and Training, prior to the next monthly disbursement of supplemental compensation funds, of any firefighters who are participating in the Supplemental Compensation Program and who become ineligible for any of the above circumstances.

Eligibility Requirements for Re-Entry

(1) All provisions of rule 69A-37.085 and rule 69A-37.087 must be met to be eligible for re-entry into the Supplemental Compensation Program.

(2) Supplemental Compensation benefits must be reapplied for by submitting the Application for Re-Entry into Firefighters Supplemental Compensation Program (DFS-K4-1056) to the Bureau of Fire Standards and Training .

(3) The Official Acceptance Notification Letter will be sent to the employing agency. This letter must be received before the firefighter's name can be included on the Quarterly Report (DFS-K4-1065).

(4) Benefits will begin on the date of reinstatement or re-entry into the fire service provided the Application for Re-Entry into Firefighters Supplemental Compensation Program (DFS-K4-1056) is received by the Bureau of Fire Standards and Training within ten (10) business days of reinstatement.

Quarterly Reporting

(1) The employing agency is to submit the required Quarterly Report (DFS-K4-1065) to the Bureau of Fire Standards and Training within ten (10) business days from the end of each quarter.

 

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