The Los Angeles Firemen’s Relief Association has been receiving numerous inquiries on membership eligibility upon termination from the fire department. We are providing this information in hopes it allows you to make an informed decision now or in the coming months.
Please review the highlights of bylaw sections 2103, 2112, and 4403 below. You will need to determine your LAFRA eligibility as a pensioned member based on your enrolled LAFPP tier.
2112. Termination of Membership upon leaving the Fire Department: No member leaving the Fire Department shall be eligible to retain membership in the Association except as otherwise provided by Section 2103. Members leaving the Fire Department may receive Benefits from the Association to the extent provided in Article IV. (12/4/08)
2103. Departmental Classification and Memberships: There are four departments in the Association, (1) Relief Department, (2) Life and Accident Department (3) Medical Department (4)Widows, Orphans & Disabled Firefighter’s Fund.
Only Class C membership in the Relief Department is now available and is limited to:
1. Active members of the Fire Department
2. Members participating in Deferred Retirement (DROP)
3. All pensioned members
4. Members on Civil Service Leave
5. Deferred Service Pension
4403 of the bylaws provides that “Only members of the Relief Association in good standing and their dependents, … will be eligible for medical insurance.” If a terminated member is no longer eligible to continue his or her membership in LAFRA then, except for applicable COBRA rights for medical coverage, you will not be eligible to continue in LAFRA’S medical plan.”
