(Annapolis office staffed January – April during each General Assembly Session) 224 Main Street Annapolis, Maryland 21401 Telephone: 410-269-1618 Facsimile: 410-269-5443
Over the years, the PFFMD has been successful in the passage of landmark legislation for fire fighters. Principle accomplishments include the following: Heart/Lung and Cancer Presumption Act to create a presumption in Workers Compensation benefits for any fire fighter afflicted with those designated ailments.
Infectious Disease Notification Act which assures that any first responder who comes in "contact" with a patient suffering from AIDS, hepatitis, and a host of other diseases must be notified of the contact. This legislation pre-dated the Ryan White Act by almost a decade, and employs the standard of "contact" versus "exposure" which provides greater benefit to our membership.
Right to Know Provisions that guarantee that appropriate records are maintained with respect to hazardous materials storage and transportation. State law greatly exceeds federal standards.
Various pension security and protections provisions have been enacted to safeguard our retirement benefits. Our legislative endeavors led to the passage of a state Public Safety Officers Death Benefit. In 1998, the benefit was increased to $141,556 and indexed to inflation.
The PFFMD (then known as MSDCPFFA) spearheaded an effort which succeeded in passing a statute which prohibits any jurisdiction from establishing a residency requirement. Maryland is one of only four states to offer that protection.
A bill was enacted to ensure a de novo appeal into Circuit Court for any discipline which results in a suspension or more than thirty days or termination.
