Kansas Insurance Commissioner Vicki Schmidt, announced, that the Kansas Department of Insurance has made its annual distribution to local firefighter relief associations , known as FRAS. $142,120.23 has been distributed among nine local FRAS throughout Franklin County. Schmidt says firefighters put their lives on the line to keep everyone safe, and the Kansas Firefighters Relief Act acknowledges that by providing additional protections for firefighters and their loved ones.
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 funds from the Kansas Firefighters Relief Act are generated by a two percent tax paid by insurance companies on fire and lightning insurance premiums written in Kansas. The relief funds may pay for the health, accident, disability, and life insurance premiums of local firefighters. Safety enhancements such as new fire trucks, fire station building improvements, and firefighting gear can be purchased via relief funds loaned to local governing entities. This year’s statewide distributions totaled over $18.9 million, distributed to 553 FRAS.
