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100-004 Reporting of Firefighter Injuries or Death(s) Effective Date: 3/1/08 Reference: Next Review: Modified Date: 04/23/2025 CLASSIFICATION: OPERATING GUIDELINE Issued By: Scott Roman, Fire Coordinator Purpose: To insure that all injuries and or deaths are properly recorded and forwarded to the appropriate locations. Preface: This is a guideline for fire departments to reference as the county no longer oversees firefighter injuries. BE CERTAIN TO CONTACT YOUR INSURANCE CARRIER NOTIFYING THEM OF ANY AND ALL INJURIES ASCERTAINING WHAT DOCUMENTATION THEY REQUIRE TO MAKE SURE YOUR PERSONNEL ARE COVERED. Under Part 801 of the State of New York Department of Labor Recording and Reporting Public Employees’ Occupational Injuries and Illnesses Section 801.9, Reporting of Fatalities or Multiple Hospitalization Accidents Within 8 hours after the occurrence of a firefighter accident which is fatal to one or more firefighters or which results in inpatient hospitalization of two or more firefighters, the Fire Chief or his/ her designee shall report the accident to the nearest office of the New York State Department of Labor, Division of Safety and Health, 450 South Salina Street, Syracuse, NY 13202, telephone [PHONE REDACTED]. Whether or not the accident is immediately reportable, if a firefighter dies of the effects of a fire department related accident within 6 months of that accident, the Fire Chief or his/her designee shall report to the Division of Safety and Health office, 315-479- 3212, within 8 hours after learning of such death. Each report required by this section shall relate to the circumstances of the accident, the number of fatalities or hospitalizations, and the extent of any injuries. The Fire Chief or his/her designee shall also provide to the Division of Safety and Health office any additional information and reports concerning the accident as the Department of Labor shall deem to be necessary. If a fatality or serious incident occurs, the Fire Chief or his/her ---PAGE BREAK--- designee shall take appropriate measures to prevent the destruction or alteration of any evidence that would assist in investigating the fatality or serious accident. Definitions: Political Subdivision - The City, Village or Fire District shall be listed with the Town put into parenthesis next to or under it where it asks for Political Subdivision Liable for Benefits. Policy: A) PREPARE A RECORD OF ALL ACCIDENTS – REGARDLESS IF MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS SOUGHT The law requires all fire districts or municipalities to keep a record of all injuries or exposures sustained by their firefighters in the course of duty. This requirement should be met by completing a VF - 1 form. The VF - 1 is not an insurance form, but rather a method of keeping an internal record of all accidents. Example 1: A firefighter falls down and bruises his knee. He does not wish to receive any medical attention. A VF - 1 Form shall be filled out and put in the firefighters personnel file. B) REPORT OF ACCIDENT OR INJURY – MEDICAL ATTENTION SOUGHT In addition to completing a VF - 1, the insurance company should be notified within 24 hours of the injury or exposure. The insurance company will direct you in what additional forms need to be filed and filled out. A copy of all forms should be kept in the firefighters personnel folder. C) NON AFFILIATED FIREFIGHTERS If a volunteer firefighter from another fire department volunteers his or her services during an emergency and such services (other than mutual aid) are accepted by the officer in charge, then such firefighter, if they are injured in the line of duty, is covered under the host Fire Department’s VFBL ---PAGE BREAK--- Coverage. This includes firefighters from outside Cortland County. It is the Host Fire Department’s responsibility to fill out the necessary forms on these individuals if they are injured. Volunteer firefighters of other municipalities responding under mutual aid remain covered under their own jurisdiction, and are not the responsibility of the department requesting the mutual aid. ISSUED BY FIRE COORDINATOR Scott Roman