Meetings

• Parkway Conference Room - No. 133 at City Hall - 625 Swift Blvd., Richland, WA 99352
• Third Tuesday of every month - 9:00 A.M.

Agendas & Minutes

Responsibilities

On April 6, 1959, the City of Richland established by Ordinance No. 30 the Firemen’s Pension Board for the purpose of carrying out the duties found in Chapters 41.16 and 41.18 RCW related to municipal pension systems for career firefighters. In 1970, the Law Enforcement Officers’ and Firefighters’ (LEOFF) pension system was created to provide a statewide retirement system for law enforcement officers and firefighters. The system was established for the purpose of providing for an actuarial reserve system for the payment of death, disability, and retirement benefits to law enforcement officers and firefighters and to the beneficiaries of such employees.

The original plan, known now as LEOFF I, provides for temporary and permanent disability benefits and retirement, as well as the payment of medical expenses of its members. Generally, the plan is administered by local Disability Boards in cities and counties, as well as the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems. However, when LEOFF was created, the Washington State Legislature carved out a unique provision for first class cities like Richland. Under the law, first class cities retain existing Firefighters' Pension Boards established pursuant to RCW 41.16.020 to carry out the responsibly of approving or disapproving claims for disability by firefighters or law enforcement officers under LEOFF.

The Richland Firefighter's Pension Board is a five-member administrative board comprised of certain ex-officio members of City staff and elected retired firefighter representatives. The Board is responsible for establishing policies, reviewing disability applications and qualifying claims for medical reimbursement, and oversight of the City of Richland Firefighters’ Pension Fund. Based on the nature of the powers and duties assigned to the Richland Firefighters’ Pension Board, it often sits in a quasi-judicial capacity to determine discrete rights of specific individuals.

Additional Resources

Claim Form

Policies and Procedures

Submit completed claim form to:

Contracted Firefighters' Pension Board Secretary:

Smith Consulting/Kristi Smith
PO Box 6800
Kennewick, WA 99336
Attn: Kristi Smith

Email: admin@smithconsulting.info
Fax: 509-737-1494
Phone: 509-547-1277