Presumptive Legislation / Occupational Illness…
As fire fighters we are aware of the health risks we faced on the job. There are numerous cancers recognized under presumptive legislation. Should you find yourself diagnosed with one of them there may be entitlements from the employer or WSIB due to these illnesses (see the following links). As an SFD or TFS employee, the Toronto Fire Fighters Association (1.416.466.1167) may be of assistance in this area should it be needed.
Cancers in Firefighters and Fire Investigators
Memorial Grant for First Responders
Estate Planning
No one likes to think about their own mortality. Estate planning is one of those things that do just that, so many will just put it off to another day which leaves it to the family to figure out. There always seem to be questions regarding the possibility of entitlements from a former employer. For some of us that employer may be the City of Toronto, for others, it may be the City of Scarborough.
Many issues can arise should you pass without a Will. By having up-to-date Wills, Living Wills, Powers of Attorney, and other instructions you make things much easier for your family and loved ones.
If you haven’t already done so, now is a good time for your estate planning or review your plan to make sure it is up to date. Your plan should include clear instructions as to your Obituary & Funeral arrangements. As a retired Scarborough Fire Fighter (SFD) or Toronto Fire Fighter (TFS) be sure to include instructions to contact the City of Toronto to inquire about any possible entitlements whether it’s from employment with the City of Toronto or City of Scarborough. As we move through this journey of life our circumstances can change, so it’s also important to make sure the beneficiary is correct on any insurance or other documents requiring one.
The following links can be of help with estate planning…
The City of Toronto Pension, Payroll & Employee Benefits Department can be contacted at – 416-338-0016. A Staff Directory can be found here.
Wills, Estates, and Trusts – Ministry of Ontario General (Ontario)
Also, be aware of – Scarborough Fire Life Insurance Policy – Article 1203
All too often we’ve seen artifacts just thrown away. It doesn’t hurt to have instruction in your Will to leave any and all Fire Service Memorabilia to specific family members and/or perhaps our own Scarborough Fire Museum or the Toronto Fire Historical Society, so our history can be better preserved.
Stay Safe, Stay Healthy