Call, Substitute, And Volunteer Firefighters
Membership And Benefits Information

Pursuant to RSA 100-A:19, call, substitute, or volunteer firefighters are able to join NHRS on a fiscal year basis (July 1 - June 30), and upon eligibility they are entitled to certain benefits, described in the chart below.

By July 1 of each year the chief of the fire department or another designated authority must submit a completed form (Form CF-1) to NHRS. Each call, substitute, or volunteer firefighter's name, birthday, and beneficiary's name needs to be listed on the form. There is a $6.00 fee for each firefighter, which must be remitted to NHRS along with the completed form.

The appropriate authority must notify NHRS of any changes (e.g. firefighters who have joined or left the fire company). If a new firefighter replaces a firefighter who had applied for benefits under RSA 100-A:19 but is no longer a member of the fire company, no additional fee is required. Otherwise, new firefighters added to the list after July 1 but prior to January 1 of a fiscal year must pay a $6.00 fee. Firefighters added to the list on or after January 1 are required to pay a $3.00 fee. Firefighters are entitled to benefits under RSA 100-A:19 only through June 30 of a fiscal year, regardless of when they applied for membership.

To receive more information about membership pursuant to RSA 100-A:19 or to obtain the appropriate forms, call (603) 271-3351 x25.

Benefits Available to Call, Substitute, And Volunteer Firefighters
(Pursuant to RSA 100-A:19)

Disability Benefit

• Firefighter filed for membership pursuant to RSA 100-A:19 and remitted the appropriate fee.
  
• Firefighter becomes totally and permanently incapacitated as the result of a definite time and place injury while performing fire duties.
  
• Firefighter can no longer perform fire duties.
  
• Firefighter's application for benefits is approved by the NHRS Board of Trustees.

The firefighter will receive an annual pension not to exceed $1,250. If the firefighter later dies as the result of the injury that he or she sustained while performing fire duties, then the pension will be payable to the firefighter's spouse until remarriage or death or to the firefighter's children under age 18.

Death Benefit

• Firefighter filed for membership pursuant to RSA 100-A:19 and remitted the appropriate fee.
  
• Firefighter dies as the result of a definite time and place injury while performing fire duties.
  
• NHRS Board of Trustees receives proper proof of the firefighter's death and approves the benefit.

The firefighter’s spouse will receive an annual pension not to exceed $1,250, payable until remarriage or death. If there is no spouse, or if the spouse remarries or dies, then the pension will be payable to any of the firefighter’s children under age 18. If there is no spouse or no children under age 18, then the pension will be payable to the firefighter’s dependent mother or dependent father for life. If there are no survivors who are eligible for the pension, then no death benefit will be payable.