Any firefighter who
shall have served for a period of less than twenty-five years, or
who shall be less than fifty years of age, and shall resign, or
be dismissed from the fire department for a reason other than
conviction for a felony, shall be paid the amount of his or her
contributions to the fund plus earned interest: PROVIDED, That
in the case of any firefighter who has completed twenty years of
service, such firefighter, upon termination for any cause except
for a conviction of a felony, shall have the option of electing,
in lieu of recovery of his or her contributions as herein
provided, to be classified as a vested firefighter in accordance
with the following provisions:
(1) Written notice of such election shall be filed with the
board within thirty days after the effective date of such
firefighter's termination;
(2) During the period between the date of his or her
termination and the date upon which he or she becomes a retired
firefighter as hereinafter provided, such vested firefighter and
his or her spouse or dependent children shall be entitled to all
benefits available under chapter 41.18 RCW to a retired firefighter and his or her spouse
or dependent children with the exception of the service
retirement allowance as herein provided for: PROVIDED, That any
claim for medical coverage under RCW 41.18.060 shall be
attributable to service connected illness or injury;
(3) Any firefighter electing to become a vested firefighter
shall be entitled at such time as he or she otherwise would have
completed twenty-five years of service had he or she not
terminated, to receive a service retirement allowance computed on
the following basis: Two percent of the amount of salary
attached to the position held by the vested firefighter for the
year preceding the date of his or her termination, for each year
of service rendered prior to the date of his or her termination.
[2007 c 218 § 53; 1969 ex.s. c 209 § 31; 1961 c 255 § 6; 1955 c 382 § 11.]
NOTES:
Intent -- Finding -- 2007 c 218: See note following RCW 1.08.130.
Effective date -- Severability -- Construction -- 1969 ex.s. c 209: See RCW 41.26.3901, 41.26.3902, and 41.26.3903.