About Us

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The forerunner of the Jacksonville Firefighters Death Benefit Fund, Inc., (JFDBF) was known as the Widow's Fund and was organized in the 1930’s, as a means of providing financial support to the families of deceased firefighters. For many years the Fund was vigorously supported by nearly all the active duty members of the department. Enrollment was limited to the first year of employment.

By 2009, the Fund was in need of reorganization and revival as membership numbers had fallen and the majority of the members were retirees. So the Fund was incorporated as a nonprofit organization, a new set of bylaws were approved, the name was changed to reflect the fact membership now includes male and female firefighters, and an open enrollment period was established resulting in improved membership numbers. While membership is still restricted to the first year of employment, exceptions can be made at the discretion of the Board of Directors.

The JFDBF is a fraternal, nonprofit, incorporated organization. The Fund is not a life insurance policy with bothersome claim forms and a death certificate requirement. When a member dies, a beneficiary check is presented within 48 hours, if possible. The benefit check is the sum of five dollars from all of the other Fund members. Additionally, whatever funds were in the deceased members individual account are also presented to the beneficiary.

Membership dues are $130.00 a year; $5.00 a pay period at 26 deductions a year . Dues are paid by payroll deductions and are not tax deductible.

The success of the JFDBF is dependent on one factor, the men and women of the JFRD uniting fraternally in order to support the grieving loved ones of a deceased member. If you are not a member, please join and become a member of an organization that cares and proves it with their hard earned money