Posted: 7/8/2024 12:59:48 AM EDT
[Last Edit: firemed13][Edited]
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Can't sleep tomorrow is my pension hearing for an on-duty injury that I have to pension out for. I can't believe this day has come, injured on January 5 2023, surgery April 7, and told told I can't do this anymore around the end of November after 3 days a week of physical therapy multiple injections and started pension paperwork December 1. 25 years in the fire service, 21 years full time and as a paramedic also. This sucks wasn't supposed to end like this. Update: The pension hearing went well, all my IMEs (Independent medical exams) came back in my favor and all the pension board members agreed to grant me an on-duty (training) pension. Under the state of Illinois, I get 65% of my pay and pay no taxes on that. So I'm bummed, I was lucky my wife came with and that helped a lot. The Chief asked me to come back Monday for a swearing-in/awards ceremony so that made me feel better. Yes, it sucks this wasn't how I wanted to go out, I wanted to go on my day my choosing on my time. But this is what I have been dealt so trying to make the best of it. |
THIS IS THE WAY
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Sorry bro. That sucks. I was a professional firefighter/medic my whole adult life, Local 747 & 1045/3195. I retired after I was "done" with the Job, not because the Job was "done" with me. I agree with the transition to teaching your skills in an academy or on the college level to the future probies out there. The brain-drain in our profession is scary, with no one willing or able to pick up where we left off. You could help fill that void. Just lost a good Jake friend to cancer yesterday (he retired in 2017), he was like 6 years younger than me. Get out while you're still (relatively) healthy and enjoy the one-paycheck-a-month club. The odds of us surviving to enjoy a good, long retirement are not good. |
Former owner, TENEX Precision Gunsmithing
| I was in a similar situation to you, in February except my injury was off duty (freeway speed motorcycle accident last year) and I'm 3 years shy of collecting a full pension. I ran out of leave and the city said without a signed physicians note that I was able they wouldn't allow me back. No light/limited duty for off duty injuries. Firefighting was my dream and passion since I was a kid and I've done it or something related to it (EMS) since I got out of the Corps. I had to make the decision to leave the job and was pretty miserable for a couple months, but now I'm happier than I've ever been. Devote time to your faith and your family if you have any. Make your wife your best friend again if she's not, and spend time with your kids. And then find a part time job in your hobby. I work part time at a gun store. Between that and the VERY small amount I get from what I did have into the retirement system, my wife and I have just enough. Nothing more, nothing less. In a few short months I went from cursing my accident to praising The Lord for it. |
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That is sad to hear brother. It just takes one incident to see how bad your life can get. I've seen it happen a few times and it is never easy. On a side note and not related, one thing I tell the probies is after your first year, get long term disability insurance. It is cheap and will cover you for when you get injured off the job and sick time runs out. I know a few guys who had to use it and fortunately they had it. The sad thing is most of the people in charge and in H.R., never really sit down and explain things to the newer or even older guys, as to how things work, including retirement. It's pathetic really. |
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