Membership Benefits

Free Training & Professional Development

Whether you have tons of fire/ems experience or a rookie fresh to public safety, we offer numerous basic to advanced fire, rescue, EMS & leadership courses through county, state and federal programs — plus individual departments typically offer even more.

These courses are free of charge to active members of the department and offer an opportunity for progression through our operational roles and ranks. Classes are conveniently in the region you are volunteering, with schedules to meet just about anyone’s needs — including nights and weekends.

Maryland Tax Incentives

You may be a volunteer but that doesn’t mean there are not financial incentives. Maryland residents receive up to $4,500 tax credit (2017 tax year) after three years of active service with a volunteer fire/EMS department in Maryland.

In 2018, that number increases to up to $4,750 and up to $5,000 for 2019 and beyond.

LOSAP Retirement Program

LOSAP was started in 1973 to encourage participation in the Charles County Volunteer system. Administered by the Charles County Commissioners, funding for the program is derived from one percent of the annual county fire tax. These funds are entrusted to an investment firm to ensure its growth and sufficient funding for future recipients. Benefits available through LOSAP include:

  • Length of Service Benefit – Must be 60 years old and must have accumulated at least 50 points per year for no less than 25 years.

  • Disability Benefit – You become disabled during the course of service as a volunteer while engaged in providing such services and the disability prevents you from pursuing your normal occupation. The disability must be of a permanent nature as certified by the Maryland Workmen’s Compensation Commission.

  • Reduced Benefit – You are an active volunteer who has at least two years of qualifying service in the five preceding years, have attained 70 years of age, and have failed to achieve 25 years of service.

  • Survivor Benefit – A surviving spouse is entitled to benefits equal to 75 percent of the deceased volunteer’s benefits.

  • Death Benefit – A death benefit of $5000 will be paid to the volunteer’s designated beneficiary.

As a qualified volunteer you may receive a benefit of $100 per month for life. A yearly County Commissioner review for cost of living will adjust the benefit up or down accordingly. As of October 1994 the value for each year of service was $5.78. Thus, a recipient with 25 years of creditable service would receive $144.50 per month for life. LOSAP benefits are not taxable by the State of Maryland. See: Frequently Asked Questions About LOSAP

Scholarships & Tuition Reimbursement

The Waldorf Volunteer Fire Department offers the Louis Demarr Scholarship, which is exclusive to WVFD members.  In addition, The Maryland State Fireman’s Association (MSFA) offers a variety of scholarships to members of the state’s volunteer fire, rescue and EMS service. These programs are awarded through the organization’s scholarship committee.

A Second Family Like No Other

When you walk in through the door of a Waldorf volunteer fire station, you’ll be home. You are not just a volunteer with a great organization with an important mission serving the community. You’ll find a second family waiting for you. Give back to your community in the process — neighbors helping neighbors.

Length of Service Award Points (LOSAP)

What is LOSAP? LOSAP stands for the Charles County Length of Service Award Program. It was created back in 1973 to recognize and encourage volunteers serving in Charles County's fire and EMS system. Think of it as a retirement benefit for your years of service.

How is the program administered? The program is run by the County Commissioners of Charles County. It's funded by one cent of the annual Fire-EMS tax, which is invested through an investment firm to keep the program growing. Day-to-day oversight falls to the Charles County LOSAP Board, appointed by the County Commissioners.

Who is eligible? Any qualified member of a Charles County volunteer fire, dive rescue, or EMS department who has performed active duties in Charles County after December 31, 1973 is eligible.

What counts as creditable service? Here's how points are earned each year:

  • Calls responded to – 1 point per call (max 40/year)

  • Drills attended – 1 point per company or countywide drill completed in full (max 25/year)

  • Meetings attended – 1 point per official company or county meeting related to Charles County fire/EMS (max 25/year)

  • Training hours – 1 point per hour in a recognized training course (max 25/year)

  • Elected/appointed officer – 25 points for completing a one-year term as an officer of any Charles County volunteer fire, dive rescue, or EMS department (max one office per year)

  • Collateral duties – 1 point per hour for duties like apparatus/building maintenance, administrative work, official standby, or fire prevention activities (max 25/year)

  • Military service (pre-July 1, 1984) – If you were a member before July 1, 1984 and served in the U.S. Armed Forces, you receive 5 points per month served (max 50 points/year, up to 4 years of creditable service).

  • Military service (post-July 1, 1984) – Credit is only available to active volunteers who enlist or are conscripted after that date. New members with prior military service do not receive credit for that service.

If records aren't available to verify your service before January 1, 1974, your department's Board of Directors can certify your service based on all available information and their personal knowledge.

How do I get credit for my service? Your Board of Directors compiles and certifies your service to the Executive Committee of the Charles County Volunteer Firemen's Association, Inc. The Executive Committee then certifies the list to the Board of Fire & Rescue Commissioners. Once approved, each company must post the certified list in a visible location in the station for at least 30 days — no later than April 15th.

If your name is missing from the list or you're denied credit for service before January 1, 1974, you have the right to appeal in writing to the Board of Fire and Rescue Commissioners or request a hearing.

Can service from another county or state count? No — only military service (as described above) and volunteer fire, dive rescue, or EMS service in Charles County can be used toward your Charles County LOSAP benefits.

What does "qualified volunteer" mean? A "qualified volunteer" is someone who has either completed 25 years of certified service or is currently receiving reduced benefits as described in this FAQ.

What types of benefits are available? There are five benefit types:

  1. Basic age and Length of Service benefit

  2. Reduced benefit

  3. Disability benefit

  4. Survivor benefit

  5. Death benefit

What do I need to qualify for the basic Length of Service benefit? You need to be at least 60 years old and have earned at least 50 points per year for 25 or more years. Benefits start on the first day of the month after you become eligible.

What do I need to qualify for the Disability benefit? There are two ways to qualify:

  1. You're an active volunteer who becomes disabled during the course of your volunteer service as a firefighter, dive rescue, or EMS provider — and that disability prevents you from doing your normal job and is permanent, as certified by the Maryland Workers' Compensation Commission or another authority designated by the County Commissioners. In this case, you receive the basic benefit regardless of your age or years of service. Benefits begin the first day of the month after your disability is certified as permanent.

  2. You're a qualified volunteer with at least 25 years of certified active service with any Charles County volunteer fire, dive rescue, or EMS company (or a combination), and you become permanently and totally disabled for any reason, as certified by the Maryland Workers' Compensation Commission or another designated authority. You'll receive benefits based on your total years of service, regardless of age, starting the month after disability is certified.

What do I need to qualify for the Reduced benefit? There are two paths:

  1. You're an active volunteer firefighter, dive rescue, or EMS provider with at least 2 qualifying years in the last 5 years, you've reached age 70, and you haven't completed 25 years of service. Your monthly benefit is calculated based on your total years of certified service. Benefits start the first of the month after you become eligible.

  2. Effective July 1, 1999: You're a Charles County volunteer who has performed active fire and/or EMS duties, you've reached age 55, and you've completed at least 25 years of qualifying service. Choosing this early benefit option is a permanent decision — you'll receive 75% of what you would have gotten starting at age 60.

In both cases, your monthly benefit is based on your total years of certified service.

What do I need to qualify for the Survivor benefit?

  • If a qualified volunteer dies while receiving benefits, their surviving spouse receives 75% of the volunteer's benefit. Benefits end upon the spouse's death or remarriage.

  • If a qualified volunteer dies before receiving any LOSAP benefits, their surviving spouse receives 75% of the benefits the volunteer had earned. Benefits end upon the spouse's death or remarriage.

Is there a Death benefit? Yes. When a qualified volunteer dies, a $5,000 death benefit is paid to their spouse or estate.

If an unqualified volunteer is killed in the line of duty or dies after completing at least one year of LOSAP-qualifying service and is on current membership rosters — and doesn't qualify for the benefit described above — a $5,000 death benefit is still paid to their spouse or estate.

How do I apply for LOSAP benefits? Submit an approved application (with your company seal) to: Department of Fiscal Services, Charles County Government P.O. Box 2150, La Plata, Maryland 20646

How much can I receive?

  • Basic benefit: A minimum of $250.00/month for life, plus an additional $10.00/month for each year of credited service beyond 25 years.

  • Reduced benefit (age 70): Your total creditable years multiplied by $10.00/month.

  • Reduced benefit (early election at 55): 75% of what you'd receive at age 60, including 75% credit for any additional years of service earned after starting benefits.

Are LOSAP benefits taxable? LOSAP benefits are not taxable by the State of Maryland, but they are taxable by the federal government.