Firefighter Heart and Circulatory Malfunction Benefits (FCB) Program.

The Firefighter Heart and Circulatory Malfunction Benefits (FCB) Fund, managed by the Colorado Department of Local Affairs (DOLA), provides reimbursement to qualifying employers for costs associated with maintaining insurance coverage or alternate plans that offer heart and circulatory malfunction benefits to eligible firefighters. Established under CRS 29-5-301 and supported by Senate Bill 14-172, this program ensures that employers can comply with statutory requirements without bearing the full financial burden of these benefits. Reimbursements are made for direct costs incurred and are processed through DOLA's e-filing portal. The primary purpose of the FCB Fund is to support employers in maintaining insurance coverage or alternate plans that meet the minimum statutory requirements for firefighters' heart and circulatory health benefits. Employers eligible for reimbursement include municipalities, special districts, fire authorities, and county improvement districts that employ at least one qualifying firefighter. A "covered individual" must be an active, full-time, part-time, or volunteer firefighter who works a minimum of 1,600 hours annually, provides fire protection services, and has at least five years of continuous employment with the employer. Employers must adhere to strict compliance with CRS 29-5-302 to qualify for reimbursement. The program reimburses employers for costs associated with insurance or alternate plans but does not pay directly for individual firefighters' policies or claims. Employers may seek reimbursement for the portion of the premiums they pay, excluding amounts covered by employees. Employers must provide detailed proof of compliance, including invoices and documentation verifying the coverage's alignment with statutory requirements. Reimbursements are processed based on the state fiscal year (July 1–June 30), and all completed requests must be submitted by July 10 of the subsequent fiscal year. The online reimbursement process is accessible through DOLA’s Firefighter Cardiac Benefit Program webpage. Employers must submit completed requests with detailed documentation, such as proof of coverage, employer costs, and compliance certification. DOLA encourages submissions by May 1 of the fiscal year to allow sufficient time for corrections, should additional information be required. Requests submitted without necessary documentation or past the final deadline will be denied. Evaluation criteria focus on the employer's adherence to statutory requirements and the accuracy of the documentation provided. DOLA reserves the right to audit employers to ensure compliance and may request refunds for improperly reimbursed funds. Employers must retain records for three years following the close of the fiscal year in which reimbursement was granted. If coverage is terminated early, DOLA must be notified immediately, and partial or full reimbursement refunds may be required. The FCB Fund operates on a first-come, first-served basis, subject to fund availability. If funds are depleted, employers are no longer required to maintain coverage but will not be reimbursed for any additional costs incurred. Interested parties can direct questions to Program Manager Chris Ockwig (chris.ockwig@state.co.us) or Program Assistant Alacia Isom (alacia.isom@state.co.us). Further guidance, application details, and instructions are available on DOLA's website.