 We are pleased to announce that Texas Mutual's board voted to pay $330 million in dividends two months early to support our policyholders. Texas Mutual is working diligently to deliver dividends to our policyholder owners and are on target to mail checks on April 20. Policyholders will also be able to log in to the Texas Mutual website on the 20th to see their dividend information. Texas Mutual knows that supporting our policyholders during this uncertain time is more important than ever, which is why their board of directors has voted to pay dividends two months early. Like many of you, we don't know the economic impact that COVID-19 will have on our business, but Texas Mutual is in a good position to distribute these dividends in this critical time. This year marks the 22nd year that Texas Mutual is paying dividends to their more than 57,000 policyholders, bringing the total to over $3.1 billion back to Texas businesses since 1999.  what is a dividend?As a policyholder-owned company, Texas Mutual clients contribute to their success when they make safety a priority and choose to do business with Texas Mutual. There are two components to earning a dividend. Safety, paid through the annual component, and loyalty, paid through the retention component. Our newer Texas Mutual policyholders can also earn dividends through the early qualifier program, which is paid in November. Since 1999, Texas Mutual has distributed over $3.1 billion back to Texas businesses.
Dividends are based on performance, are not guaranteed and must comply with Texas Department of Insurance regulations.
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 Congratulations to the following recipients of the 2020 Emergency Responder Health and Wellness Grant sponsored by VFIS of Texas and Texas Mutual! We received a record-breaking 136 grant applications requesting more than $600,000.
 2020 Rural Volunteer Fire Department Insurance Program (HB 3667) - The Rural Volunteer Fire Department Insurance Program (HB 3667) is a grant program designed to reimburse eligible volunteer fire departments for the purchase of insurance from private insurance companies. Eligible coverage includes any combination of compensation insurance for firefighters (workers’ compensation, accidental death and dismemberment, group term life, accident and sickness, and/or cancer-related insurance) purchased from Texas insurance companies. The program will reimburse 100% of the actual cost of eligible insurance coverage up to a maximum of $175 per fire department member.
Recognized, non-profit volunteer fire departments operated by its members are eligible. Any part-paid/part-volunteer department is also eligible, provided the number of paid members is 20 or less. Departments may enter into agreements with cities or counties in order to qualify for coverage and/or special premiums. All eligible departments must participate in a firefighter certification program administered under Section 419.071 of the Texas Government Code (Texas Commission on Fire Protection), or by the State Firemen’s and Fire Marshal’s Association of Texas (SFFMA), or by the National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG). TO APPLY, PLEASE COMPLETE AND SUBMIT BEFORE JULY 31, 2020: 1) Rural Volunteer Fire Department Application for Grant Assistance (Form TFS-FO-408) 2) Request for Taxpayer Identification Number and Certification (IRS Form W-9) 3) Roster of active fire department members. 4) Copy of a Payroll Classification Schedule Page 1 and 2, or a copy of the current paid insurance policy which provides insurance coverage during the calendar year 2020, or payment receipt for a workers’ compensation, accidental death and dismemberment, group term life, accident and sickness, or cancer-related insurance policy. IMPORTANT NOTES: • The policy or payment documents must show the policy number, the cost or premium amount and the coverage period. • All required reimbursement documents must accompany the 2020 grant application form. • Applications, either complete or incomplete, arriving after July 31, 2020 are not eligible for reimbursement. • ONLY ONE application per department will be reimbursed for the enrollment period of November 2019 thru July 2020. All forms can be found at texasfd.com/RuralVFDInsuranceProgram or by contacting the Capacity Building Department. SUBMIT VIA FAX, EMAIL OR MAIL FAX TO: Texas A&M Forest Service 200 Technology Way, Suite 1162 College Station, Texas 77845-3424 P: 979-458-6505 F: 979-845-6160 Email: ffins@tfs.tamu.edu Website: TexasFD.com  The Emergency Service Organization (ESO) Workers’ Compensation Safety Group has earned an annual dividend totaling $90,363 in 2019. Qualifying policyholders in the ESO Safety Group will receive a check for their portion of this dividend in June.
This dividend calculation reflects three years of data. This year’s payout was earned for the 2015-2016 plan year. Unfortunately, no dividend was earned for the 2016-2017 or 2017-2018 plan years because losses for these two years exceeded dividend eligibility requirements. The ESO Safety Group was formed in October of 1999 by VFIS of Texas / WinStar Insurance Group to reduce workers’ compensation premiums for emergency service organizations by offering competitive pricing, premium discounts based on the entire group’s premium volume, customized loss prevention programs, training and educational opportunities, and dividends for good performance. To date, $2,400,538 in dividends have been paid to our group members. Dividends are based on performance and are not guaranteed. Texas Mutual is the largest writer of workers’ compensation in Texas, as well as the largest writer of safety group programs. Texas Mutual has many free tools to help you prevent workplace accidents and keep your employees and volunteers safe on the job. Log in to your texasmutual.com account to find e-Learning courses, safety training videos, posters and more. In addition, Texas Mutual holds free policyholder events statewide. Find upcoming events at texasmutual.com/events. The entire group’s loss ratio is the key component in determining whether the group qualifies for a dividend. All members benefit when a collective effort is made to focus on safe workplaces and accident prevention. You can help by continuing to support the program and by training and educating your employees and volunteers about the importance of a safety-conscious work atmosphere. For more information, contact us at (800) 252-9435 or visit our ESO Safety Group website at esowcgroup.com. CONGRATULATIONS to the following recipients of the 2019 Emergency Responder Health and Wellness Grant sponsored by VFIS of Texas and Texas Mutual! We received a record-breaking 126 grant applications requesting more than $542,000. Award letters will be sent to each of these recipients in the next few days.
· Aledo VFD · Beckville VFD · Bowman Community VFD · Brady FD · Briar-Reno VFD · Burkburnett VFD · Central Community VFD · Coldspring VFD · Coleman VFD · College Mound VFD · Cookville VFD · Cove Fire & Rescue · Crims Chapel VFD · DCBE/Acton VFD · Douglass VFD · Elkhart VFD · Everman VFD · Gilmer FD · Grand Saline VFD · Greenwood Rural VFD · Hankamer VFD · Harleton VFD · Hubbard VFD · Idalou VFD · Indian Creek VFD · Iowa Park VFD · Iraan VFD · Kinney County Fire & Rescue/EMS · Kountze VFD · Kress VFD · La Junta VFD · Laguna Vista VFD · Lakeside City VFD · Lowry Crossing VFD · Marion VFD · Mart VFD · McGregor VFD · Merkel FD · Mico VFD · Mid-County VFD · Monaville VFD · Morgan’s Point Resort FD · Mount Calm VFD · Mustang VFD · Navarro County ESD #1 FD · Needville FD · Peaster VFD · Penitas VFD · Plains VFD · Potosi VFD · Quitman VFD · Raisin VFD · Rising Star VFD · Saint Jo VFD & EMS · San Leon VFD · Santo VFD · Silver Creek VFD · South Anderson County Emergency Vol Corps · South Polk County VFD · Springtown VFD · St Hedwig FD · Stonewall VFD · Tanglewood VFD · Three Rivers VFD · Tolar VFD · Tool VFD · Weldon VFD · West Mountain VFD · Wildwood VFD · Winona VFD · York Creek VFD Applications for the 2020 Health & Wellness Grant will open in July/August 2019. Stay tuned!  2019 Emergency Responder Health & Wellness Grant - VFIS of Texas and Texas Mutual Insurance Company are once again pleased to sponsor a need-based Health & Wellness Grant program for fire departments and non-profit EMS organizations in Texas. Grants up to $5,000 will be awarded based on financial need and are intended to encourage participation in a health & wellness program to prevent emergency responder deaths and injuries. Departments will need to apply for the grant, expend the funds and then send in copies of receipts in order to receive the grant funds Grant application deadline is December 31, 2018.
Who is eligible:
What is eligible:
How it works:
**THE DEADLINE TO APPLY IS DECEMBER 31, 2018.** DOWNLOAD GRANT APPLICATION HERE How to Apply: Mail to: VFIS of Texas 3420 Executive Center Dr, #301 Austin, TX 78731 Fax to: 512-448-9929 E-mail to: vfisoftexas@vfistx.com  The Volunteer and Combination Officers Section (VCOS) and the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC), along with the Fire Service Occupational Cancer Alliance, the Firefighter Cancer Support Network (FCSN), and with support from California Casualty, have developed a poster of the 11 best practices for preventing firefighter cancer. The poster provides all fire department leaders and firefighting personnel with specific actions that must be taken to address the cancer epidemic and protect firefighters. Use these 11 best practices as the basis for fire department standard operating procedures and hang a copy at the station as a reminder of the actions every firefighter needs to follow. Best Practices for Preventing Firefighter Cancer Poster  Photo courtesy of Dixie VFD December 31 is the deadline to apply for the 2018 VFIS of Texas / Texas Mutual Insurance Company Health & Wellness Grant. Grants of up to $5,000 will be awarded based on financial need. Health & wellness is very important to help prevent emergency responder deaths and injuries and we encourage all safety group members to apply.
Apply Now A reminder that December 31 is also the deadline to submit receipts for reimbursement under the 2017 VFIS of Texas / Texas Mutual Safety, Training & Wellness Grant. If your department was awarded a grant this year, please make sure to submit your receipts before the end of December. Submit Receipts If you look forward to going to work every day, oftentimes it’s because of the people you work with. That’s how it was for Josh Paulin. As a valued member of the Classic Construction team, Josh’s special relationship with his employer provided the momentum for his successful return-to-work story. While sealing a roof on the job, Josh fell and nearly lost his life. Josh’s coworkers watched the traumatic accident in devastation as paramedics fought to save him. When you’re faced with a life-changing event like Josh was, the best outcome is getting back to the life you love. For Josh, getting to that point required learning to walk, talk and read again. Watch Josh’s story and see how Texas Mutual Insurance Company and his employer were by his side every step of the way. Josh’s story is a perfect example of how valuable a return-to-work initiative is for businesses and injured workers. As a seasoned employee, Josh’s employer was eager to get him back on the team. While continuing rehabilitation, Josh went back to work with modified job duties. He was able to contribute his unique expertise to the company surrounded by coworkers who supported his ongoing recovery. Meanwhile, Josh’s employer had peace of mind over the future of his business.
When a worker sustains life-changing injuries, coming to terms with the new way of life can be a challenge, but a return-to-work program provides countless benefits. Employees can focus on their recovery rather than stress about their financial situation. By being surrounded by team comradery, they avoid isolation from peers and symptoms of depression. Giving injured workers purpose and surrounding them with familiar faces to celebrate recovery milestones promotes quicker healing. For employers, implementing a return-to-work program maintains production by keeping experienced workers on the job. Bringing on a temporary employee or hiring someone new requires time and effort. Meanwhile, the business loses productivity. Employers who invest in return to work can minimize lost productivity and control workers’ compensation costs, while also encouraging the ongoing recovery of a valued employee. It was a team effort getting Josh back on the job after his traumatic accident, but it made all the difference. For more resources on return-to-work programs and implementing them in your business, visit the Return-To-Work page at texasmutual.com. Our ESO Safety Group was recently awarded two top awards from Texas Mutual Insurance Company at the annual Master Agent Meeting. Our group received a safety excellence award for exceeding safety expectations set by Texas Mutual in 2015.  Pictured (L-R): Jack Ogden, Texas Mutual Safety Group Manager; Chris Barron, ESO Safety Group Board Member; Barbara Marzean, ESO Safety Group Master Agent; Steve Math, Texas Mutual Sr VP Underwriting; and Rich Gergasko, Texas Mutual President & CEO. Barbara Marzean, the group’s Master Agent and President of VFIS of Texas, was also awarded the 2016 Safety Group Master Agent of the Year for excellence in group management.  Pictured (L-R): Jack Ogden, Texas Mutual Safety Group Manager; Rick Gergasko, Texas Mutual President & CEO; Barbara Marzean, ESO Safety Group Master Agent; Chris Barron, ESO Safety Group Board Member; and Steve Math, Texas Mutual Sr VP Underwriting. These awards reinforce and validate the efforts of our Safety Group members to continue to promote workplace safety and training. By working safely, our group members also benefit by receiving general dividends and Safety Group dividends for good performance.
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