Belmont Firemen’s Relief Association

The Belmont Firemen’s Relief Association provides a death benefit to active and retired uniformed members of the Belmont Fire Department in Belmont, Massachusetts. The Association was incorporated in 1934 in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, with origins dating back to the 1890’s.

When the association was created, firefighters did not have a labor union to support them, or any benefits to assist them or their families if they became disabled. At the time, if the firefighter didn’t work, the town did not compensate him.

The Association was created to provide benefits to firefighters who became injured and were not able to work. Additionally the Association paid a death benefit to the family of a deceased firefighter to help the family pay for the costs related to burying the firefighter.

Membership Membership in the Association is limited to active and retired uniformed members of the Belmont Fire Department.

Benefits Although the Association no longer grants disability benefits, a death benefit is still paid to the firefighter’s family upon his or her passing.

Organization The Association is run by a 4 member executive board (President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer) which is elected by the active uniformed members of the Association every year. The Relief is overseen by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Division of Insurance.

Events Each year on the Sunday prior to the Memorial Day weekend, the Association hosts the Firefighters Memorial Sunday remembrance ceremony in the Belmont Cemetery on Grove Street in Belmont, Massachusetts, where the Chief of the Department and a retiree place a wreath at the Belmont Fire Department Memorial. The president of the Association recites the Honor Roll of all departed members of the Belmont Fire Department – ensuring that “No man is left behind, and no man is ever forgotten.”

The Relief also places the flag of the BFD on the graves of all Belmont firefighters buried in the Belmont Cemetery. Family members of departed members of the BFD not buried in the Belmont Cemetery can request that a flag be sent to them to be placed on their loved ones grave.