Accident Assurance Scheme
The UFBA administers an Accident Assurance Scheme to provide financial assistance to enrolled volunteer members of NZFS Fire Brigades who suffer accidents during approved fire brigade activities.
Under the UFBA Accident Assurance Scheme, NZFS volunteers injured in the course of duty can receive payment for loss of wages in the first week of injury, and an allowance of 20% of wages for additional time of incapacity to top up the 80% paid by ACC. To apply, complete application pack below and submit it to the UFBA within a month of your injury.
NOTE: The UFBA administers payments for loss of wages only, and any claims for medical expenses not covered by ACC should be submitted to the Fire Service directly.
If you have any questions, contact the Accident Assurance Scheme Administrator.
Frequently Asked Questions
ACC will pay most of the costs for treatment. Variable surcharges incurred as part of the treatment will be reimbursed upon the completion of the ACC Variable Surcharge Expenses Claim form available from your CFO, Region Administration or online in the HR intranet under volunteer forms.
If the injury results in the volunteer being absent from their normal work for a week or less, and where, as a result of the absence, there is no income from the employer, you should forward the ACC accident form to the UFBA along with proof of earnings. The UFBA will administer loss of earnings on behalf of the Fire Service.
If the injury results in the volunteer being absent from their normal work for a more than a week, and as a result of the absence there is no other income for the period, the volunteer should liaise with ACC as they will reimburse 80% of the volunteer’s lost wages. The UFBA will administer the ‘top up’ to 100%.
In some rare cases, reimbursement of lost wages leaves significant shortfall in the actual income loss of the volunteer. In such a case, claim for additional reimbursement may be made. Such cases for additional reimbursement will be considered. Claims should be submitted to the UFBA.
The CFO/DCFO or OIC making a claim on behalf of the injured party must do so on the appropriate forms below. The forms must be signed and submitted to the UFBA within 28 days of the incident.
The following forms are required:
• A UFBA Accident Claim Form signed by the required parties
• A completed copy of the Earnings Certificate from the employer (normally 4 weeks worth of the latest pay sheet)
• A copy of the completed FSC 432 (NZFS Accident Report and NZFS Accident Investigation)
• A copy of the completed ACC Certificate
• A copy of any new medical certificate (when necessary).