Los Angeles County Firemen's Benefit & Welfare Association
Mike Takeshita, President
09/11/2001
CREDIT UNION 76TH ANNIVERSARY - SEE SPECIAL EVENTS
WHAT IS YOUR POLICY REGARDING MEDICAL EQUIPMENT?
One of the services of the B&W is to loan certain types of home-use medical equipment to members and their immediate dependents when such equipment is not, or is no longer covered by insurance. (NOTE: Your insurance carrier should be the primary source for this equipment.)
We have an inventory of commonly used equipment from which to draw. We may or may not be able to provide highly specialized equipment, depending upon cost and availability to our medical equipment vendor. Your director will be able to research special requests and advise you if the equipment is available.
Whereas every effort will be made to get the equipment to the member as quickly as possible, please remember that our organization is run by volunteers and it generally takes up to 48 hours from the time of the request for the equipment, if available, to be delivered. Requests on Fridays and weekends will generally result in longer delays. Please be patient and understand that we will do our best to accommodate your request in a timely manner.
There is no charge for this service, including delivery and pick-up. However, members are reminded that this equipment is shared, and in most cases is not brand new. The equipment is, however, maintained and delivered by a vendor that thoroughly cleans and repairs all items before they are delivered. It may show some signs of wear or use, but is completely functional and clean. Knowing this up front is important. If a member requests equipment and then refuses to accept it when delivered because they are unhappy with its appearance, the member will be required to pay the transportation charges for that delivery.
How do I request medical equipment?
I
f you are an eligible member and anticipate the need for medical equipment, the first thing to do is contact your doctor and ask that he/she prescribe the equipment for the patient. Most medical insurance will honor a doctor's prescription for equipment and this is an often-overlooked step. If insurance will not cover the equipment, then please contact your director well in advance of the anticipated need. He/she will initiate the necessary paperwork in order to fulfill your request. For obvious reasons, the greater the lead time the better. Last minute requests stand a chance of delays in getting the equipment to the member in a timely manner.
WHY DON’T YOU SEND STRAIGHT STREAMS TO EACH FIRE STATION?
Straight Streams is mailed monthly to all active and retired members. This is done as a benefit of your support of the organization. Straight Streams is also mailed monthly to each Los Angeles City Fire Department station and they, in turn, mail their "Grapevine" to each of our stations.
I USED TO RECEIVE STRAIGHT STREAMS, BUT IT STOPPED….WHY?
Please be sure that you have your correct address on file with us. If you move and do not notify us of your change of address, the magazine will eventually stop. This is because the post office will only forward non-profit bulk mail for a short time, if at all, then they stop. Click here
or mail the Change of Address form inside the magazine to the address indicated and we will correct our database. Be sure to include your employee number, if you are an active member. And remember, notifying the department of your address change DOES NOT notify us or any other affiliated organization such as the Union or the Relief Association.
I HAVE BEEN ON THE DEPARTMENT FOR XX YEARS AND HAVE NEVER RECEIVED STRAIGHT STREAMS….WHY?
The first thing to check is your membership status. Straight Streams is issued monthly to all active and retired members of the Benefit & Welfare Association. If you are active, please check your pay stub (under the new payroll system after April 30, 2010) and verify that there is a deduction under code EO 109, FIRE BENEFIT in the amount of $4.88 per pay period ( $9.76 per month)......if that appears, then please send a note to circulation@lacofire-benefit.org
and we will correct our database. Be sure to include your employee number in all correspondence about your membership. If it doesn't appear, then we are not carrying you as a member of the organization. We would love to have you join, just contact your Director or click here for assistance.If you are retired, and were a member of the B&W throughout your active service, please contact Gary Lineberry at lineberry@lacofire-benefit.org
and he will assist you.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE B&W AND THE FIREMEN’S RELIEF ASSOCIATION?
Although the two associations are often mistaken as being the same, we are actually two completely independent organizations. You can find out all about the B & W from this site. For information on how to contact the Firemen's Relief Association please check the department's "A" manual or click here
to go to their web site.
WHAT HAPPENS TO MY MEMBERSHIP WHEN I RETIRE?
When you retire from active service, your membership in the B&W is automatically converted to "Retired" status. You do not need to fill out any forms or make any calls.....the process is completely automatic. As a retired member you retain all of the privileges of regular membership including your subscription to Straight Streams. However, you no longer pay dues! Additionally, you will receive a discounted admission to qualified retirement functions. This status is provided to all regular members who maintained their dues paying membership throughout their active service. Please be sure to keep us advised of any change of address so that you will not miss any issues of Straight Streams.
FEQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS