Keep Calm and say hello to May! May this month be the beginning of new joys and opportunities. We look forward to the sweet beginnings of summer. From Cinco de Mayo, Memorial Day, and of course Mother’s Day, May is a great month to celebrate. May is also Mental Health Month. Millions of Americans face the reality of living with a mental illness. That is why in May, hundreds of organizations across the country are raising awareness of mental health. Inspire others to raise awareness and take part in sharing information, resources, and support for mental health conditions. Many of our members are experiencing the challenges of living with a mental illness. The good news is we have so many resources to address mental illness.
You can reach the UFLAC Center For Health and Wellness at (747)-200-6266. Additionally, UFLAC/LAFD has a robust Peer Support Program. Currently, there are 115 well-trained Peers you can contact directly. Access to the complete roster of Team members is posted on the UFLAC website. Assistance is just a call or text away. The LAFRA PPO Medical Plan is here to support you and your family if you suffer from mental health challenges and offers great mental health benefits. Mental Health is covered for outpatient services at 100% with a small $15.00 copay for an in-network PPO provider and $30.00 for a Non-PPO Provider. Mental Health- Inpatient Room and board for a PPO provider is covered at 100% after you meet $250.00 deductible, then 10% of the 1st $5,000. Your total out of pocket would only be $750.00 for Inpatient Room & board (including Residential Treatment Facilities).
The Widows, Orphans and Disabled Firefighters Fund Ladder Enduro ride, benefiting the Widows Orphans and Disabled Firefighters Fund, was held in California City. I was thoroughly impressed by the size of this event, the coordination to make this happen in the middle of the desert, and the willingness of people to give their time and dollars to the WODFF. The success of this event can be attributed to the man in charge of this awesome gathering of off-road junkies, the one and only, Tim Wuerful. Tim, the Cooper Family, and his droves of volunteers put together an incredible event raising $30,000 for the WODFF. In addition to the Hook and Ladder ride, attendees flocked to Teter’s Trailer to grab a hotdog, led by our very own trustee, Steve Berkery. This is such a great event for our members, their families, and extended friends of the LAFD. I can’t think of a better environment for our families to be a part of. What is better than taking all your friends and family out to the middle of the desert to ride and share stories while raising money for a great cause? This event defines what camaraderie is and exemplifies what LAFRA stands for. If you were not able to make it this year, you will want to attend this awesome event next year. Even if you do not ride or have an offroad vehicle, please take time to share in one of our most successful events of the year supporting one of the finest Benevolent funds around. Please click on QR code to view the Hook and Ladder event.
LAFPP HEALTH SUBSIDY: The Board of Fire and Police Pension Commissioners approves the medical and dental plans eligible for LAFPP’s retiree health subsidy program on an annual basis. Approvals currently take place prior to the start of the new plan years effective July 1 for health plans administered by LAFRA. On March 21, 2024, the Board’s health consultant, USI, presented a rate renewal analysis based on the aggregated claims data made available by LAFRA under the terms of our contract with LAFPP. Based on the information available, and after USI reviewed the renewal rates and found them to be reasonable, LAFPP staff recommended that all health plans administered by LAFRA remain eligible for the health subsidy program for the plan year beginning July 1, 2024.
At the April 4th Los Angeles Fire and Police Pensions Board Meeting, our elected and appointed Commissioners voted on agenda item C 3, “APPROVAL OF THE LAFRA HEALTH PLANS ELIGIBLE FOR SUBSIDY AND POSSIBLE BOARD ACTION FOR 2024-2025”. The LAFPP Board voted and approved the LAFRA PPO Medical Plan.
Are you ready for this year’s annual Firefighter’s Reunion at the Pechanga Resort & Casino in Temecula? Come out and join us for some great camaraderie including golf, wine tasting, pizza night, and Representatives Day. We are looking forward to a record year so please make your reservations early for the May 13th-17th festivities. Save your RV space by contacting Juan Albarran at (805) 807-3616 or jalbarran@lafra.org. If you are not going to book an RV space or they are taken, contact Pechanga Room Reservations at 1 (877) 711-2946 to book your room.
Save the date:
• Pechanga Reunion – 5/13 to 5/17
• Hope for Firefighters – 6/6
• LAFD Memorial Car Show- 9/8
• LAFD Invitational Golf Tournament- 10/21
Christopher Stine
president@lafra.org
323.259.5202