Gov’t increases financial support for firefighters, rescue officers

Georgia is offering better social packages to its rescue officers and firefighters who dedicate their lives to serving the country.

Parliament of Georgia adopted changes to the law on Civil Security at its second hearing on Friday to increase the state support for families of emergency respondents who are killed on duty.

With these changes, if a firefighter or rescue officer dies while on duty, their family will receive 100,000 GEL immediate compensation and 1,000 GEL per month in financial support. This is now in line with the support offered to the families of police officers who die on duty.

Moreover, firefighters and rescue officers will now receive a monthly salary addition that correlates to the number of years’ served. For example:

• 0-2 years’ service – five percent of their salary;
• 2-5 years’ service – 10 percent;
• 5-10 years’ service – 15 percent;
• More than 10 years’ service – 20 percent.

The emergency personnel will also receive a single financial allowance if their health is compromised while on duty. For example:

• Severe injury to health – 7,000 GEL;
• Moderate injury to health – 4,000 GEL;
• Minor injury to health – 2,000 GEL.

If the injury sustained means an officer cannot return to the profession, the state must be responsible for finding and offering them another job that matches their level of education and skills.

If this takes longer than one year, the officer will receive an annual compensation as high as their previous salary.

Meanwhile firefighters and rescue officers will also receive mandatory health and life insurance and their families will be offered extra insurance support.