By Ryan Duey

Kansas Insurance Commissioner Vicki Schmidt announced that the Kansas Department of Insurance has completed its annual distribution to local Firefighter Relief Associations (FRAs). Under the Kansas Firefighters Relief Act, a total of $18,912,365.52 has been disbursed among 553 FRAs statewide.

These funds are generated from a two percent tax paid by insurance companies on fire and lightning insurance premiums written in Kansas by insurance companies. The FRAs primarily utilize these funds for insurance premiums and safety enhancements, including health, accident, disability, and life insurance for firefighters. In addition, funds support purchases such as new firetrucks and improvements to fire station facilities.

“Firefighters work to keep us safe, and the Kansas Firefighters Relief Act acknowledges those efforts by providing additional protections for firefighters and their loved ones,” said Commissioner Schmidt. “The Act not only gives first responders needed safety nets, but it also allows local communities to provide their citizens with improved firefighting equipment and resources.”

The statewide distribution of the 2024 Kansas Firefighters Relief Act funds can be viewed at insurance.ks.gov/otherservices/firefighters/fra-relief-distributions.php.