Fire Law Blog Fire Service and Public Safety Legal Issues Blog by Curt Varone

Tag Archives: Russell Hayes

Missouri Court Rules Death Benefit for Volunteer FFs To Be Based on Career Wages

The Missouri Court of Appeals has ruled that death benefits for volunteer firefighters should be based upon the average wages of “similar” career firefighters in Missouri, and not the value of the benefits received by “similar” volunteers. The case was brought by Susan Hayes, after the Missouri LIRC awarded her $40 per week in benefits following the death of her husband, Russell.

Curt Varone has over 45 years of fire service experience and 35 as a practicing attorney licensed in both Rhode Island and Maine. His background includes 29 years as a career firefighter in Providence (retiring as a Deputy Assistant Chief), as well as volunteer and paid on call experience. He is the author of two books: Legal Considerations for Fire and Emergency Services, (2006, 2nd ed. 2011, 3rd ed. 2014, 4th ed. 2022) and Fire Officer's Legal Handbook (2007), and is a contributing editor for Firehouse Magazine writing the Fire Law column.

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