(1) If a volunteer firefighter is injured while in the line of duty as a volunteer firefighter, the board shall pay to the volunteer firefighter:
A short-term disability monthly annuity for not more than one year in an amount itdetermines is proper and equitable, considering the financial condition of the fund, but not more than one-half the amount paid by the board pursuant to section 31-30-1122 (1) or two hundred twenty-five dollars, whichever is greater; or
A long-term disability monthly annuity for a disability that deprives the volunteerfirefighter of an earning capacity and that extends beyond one year in an amount it determines is proper and necessary but not more than the amount paid by the board pursuant to section 31-301122 (1) or four hundred fifty dollars, whichever is greater. Any increase in the benefits in a municipality under this paragraph (b) shall be approved by the municipality's governing body.
Disability-pension applicants shall be examined by one or more physicians selectedby the board and may be examined by one or more physicians selected by the applicant. The board shall pay from the fund the expenses of the physician chosen by the board.
The board shall adopt rules it deems proper concerning the examination of personswho are receiving disability benefits under this section to determine periodically the fitness of these persons. A person who is receiving benefits under this section and who is either fifty years of age or has completed twenty years of active duty in the fire department before the date disability benefits under this section are first provided shall not be reexamined. A person receiving benefits under this section shall not be examined before one year after the date disability benefits under this section are first provided and not more often than annually after this date.
The board shall terminate the disability benefits under this section of a person whothe board finds has recovered sufficiently from the disability that resulted in the receipt of these benefits, is under the age of fifty years, and has served less than twenty years of active duty. A person whose benefits are terminated under this subsection (4) may file a written protest within thirty days after the termination date stating the objection to the termination and requesting a hearing. The decision of the board is suspended pending a hearing on the protest. At the hearing, the member may appear and be represented by counsel.
Source: L. 95: Entire part added, p. 1374, § 2, effective June 5. L. 98: (1) amended, p. 807, § 2, effective May 26.