British Columbia Fire Training Officers Association

Striving for excellence in "Training"

WCB training coverage

This past year a number of our volunteer fire department members have had
WCB claims denied for firefighters who were injured while on a training
course.

WCB has clarified that a volunteer firefighter is covered when attending a
course or training session, outside their practice night or fire hall, IF
THE FIREFIGHTER HAS BEEN DIRECTED to attend by the Fire Chief.

For live fire training and off-site training programs, it is IMPERATIVE
that
Fire Chiefs give WRITTEN DIRECTION to a volunteer firefighter to attend
the
training so that it is clear that the member is sanctioned and REQUIRED to
take the training. Anything short of a written direction to the
firefighter
to take the required training or course, may result in the firefighter not
getting WCB coverage if injured.

Sometimes there are off the cuff comments made by a Fire Chief when a
claim
is being reviewed such as
- "the volunteer took the course on his own"
-"the fire department paid for the course, but that training is not
required
to be a member of the department"
-"we knew that they were going to the course".

In order to ensure that any injury sustained while training either at live
fire or off-site locations or courses is fully covered by WCB - you as
Fire
Chief must give the firefighter a written letter stating that you are
"directing the volunteer firefighter to attend the training AND that
he/she
are sanctioned to take part in the training as a member of your fire
department". Please keep a copy of the letter in your department files.
You should also keep a copy of the registration form or course content
that
the volunteer is involved in.

Documentation is crucial to ensure that claims are processed quickly and
the
WCB claims manager will have a copy of the clear direction given to the
volunteer to attend the program or course.

Please pass this message on to any of your Department's officers who may
approve or be aware of any training courses or programs that your members
are involved in. If the volunteer is injured during training and files a
WCB claim, the chances a claim will be approved IF THERE IS NO written
directive to attend or being sanctioned are very slim.

If you have any further questions on WCB coverage and/or problems - please
visit the FCABC Website (www.fcabc.bc.ca - click on Library - for sample
WCB
questions).
or email the FCABC - WCB representative Deputy Chief Wayne Bernard at
WABernard@city.surrey.bc.ca

Ann Hancock
Administrator
Fire Chiefs' Association of BC
#7-3775 Springbrook Road
Kelowna, BC V1W 4A3
(250) 862-2388 (fax 862-2391)
Email: fcabc@shaw.ca

January 20, 2004 Site Administered By TS Consulting