KyFIRES Employment Type Definitions

 

The Kentucky Fire Commission office personnel are currently evaluating Fire Department State-Aid status for all qualifying agencies. We are finding several instances that “Department Employee” is being utilized as the Employment Type for individuals. This correspondence is to inform all departments that any individual who is designated as “Department Employee” will not be covered by the Kentucky Fire Commission Workers Compensation policy for volunteer firefighters. If a claim is submitted and a request for “active” status is received by our office and the individual is found to have an employment type of “Department Employee” they will not be considered to be a volunteer firefighter and the Workers Compensation Office will be informed as such, thus resulting the in the fire department becoming responsible for all expenses incurred.  It is imperative that each fire department review their roster in KYFIRES and ensure that each individual has a correctly indicated Employment Type. Below is a list of the Employment Types listed in KYFIRES and an explanation as to how those shall be considered.

Volunteer – any individual who actively engages or participates in emergency or non-emergency activities of the fire department and is not considered a full-time employee. This individual will also be counted when State-Aid percentage is determined. This individual would be covered by the Kentucky Fire Commission Volunteer Firefighter Worker’s Compensation policy.

Career – any individual who is a full-time employee of a fire department. Workers Compensation is paid by the employing department.

Special Firefighter – by statute can only be designated by a Chapter 75 Fire Protection District. This individual will be covered by the Kentucky Fire Commission Volunteer Firefighter Worker’s Compensation policy.

Department Employee - an individual who is part of a department in a non-response capacity or a capacity of EMS single role at a career department. This individual will not be covered by the Kentucky Fire Commission Volunteer Firefighter Worker’s Compensation Policy.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Jeremy Rodgers at jeremy.rodgers@kctcs.edu or at 859-608-7575.