Frequently Asked Questions

Your family would receive the Federal PSOB Benetit, the State Line-of-Duty Death Benefit, Workers' Compensation coverage, the NCSFA coverage, and any additional coverage your department might carry.

In addition, the NCSFA will pay all educational expenses for the children to any state supported university or community college.

If a member dies accidentally and not in the line of duty, the NCSFA will pay the beneficiaries $10,000.00.

No payment is made for death by natural causes unless the member carries fraternal insurance.

No, but many departments choose to do so out of respect for the service rendered by the retiree.  There are some non-line-of-duty benefits the retiree enjoys if carried on the roster.  If enrolled, the retiree is allowed to continue their participation in the Fraternal Insurance Program, the eye care discount is available to them as well as the $10,000.00 coverage under the Accidental Death and Dismemberment Policy.

No, 36 hours of training is not required of those who have retired, but be sure your retirees are not running calls.  If they do run calls they must have 36 hours of training annually to be eligible for the state line-of-duty death benefit.

What is the date for the 2011 conference?

Visit www.southatlanticfirerescueexpo.com for full details.

This will be announced soon.

323 West Jones Street, Suite 401, Raleigh, NC  27603

8:00 am until 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday.

The roster for NCSFA serves two purposes.  The first is to provide current information of who is on your roster, but it also serves as the certification roster for the State Treasurer’s Office.  The term "certification" simply means that the chief is 'certifying' that his members have received their 36 hours of training as required to receive pension benefits and to receive the state line-of-duty death benefits.  To get a definition of what qualifies as acceptable training hours we must look at general statute 58-86-25.  It simply defines it as "drills and meetings'.  Please see the entire statute below for any further clarification or contact the pension office at 877.508.9110.

  § 58‑86‑25.  "Eligible firemen" defined; determination and certification of volunteers meeting qualifications.

 "Eligible firemen" shall mean all firemen of the State of North Carolina or any political subdivision thereof, including those performing such functions in the protection of life and property through fire fighting within a county or city governmental unit and so certified to the Commissioner of Insurance by the governing body thereof, and who belong to a bona fide fire department which, as determined by the Commissioner, is classified as not less than class "9" or class "A" and "AA" departments in accordance with rating methods, schedules, classifications, underwriting rules, bylaws or regulations effective or applied with respect to the establishment of rates or premiums used or charged pursuant to Article 36 or 40 of this Chapter or by such other reasonable methods as the Commissioner may determine, and which operates fire apparatus and equipment of the value of five thousand dollars ($5,000) or more, and said fire department holds drills and meetings not less than four hours monthly and said firemen attend at least 36 hours of all drills and meetings in each calendar year. "Eligible firemen" shall also mean an employee of a county whose sole duty is to act as fire marshal, deputy fire marshal, assistant fire marshal, or firefighter of the county, provided the board of county commissioners of that county certifies the employee's attendance at no less than 36 hours of all drills and meetings in each calendar year. "Eligible firemen" shall also mean those persons meeting the other qualifications of this section, not exceeding 25 volunteer firemen plus one additional volunteer fireman per 100 population in the area served by their respective departments. Each department shall annually determine and report the names of those firemen meeting the eligibility qualifications of this section to its respective governing body, which upon determination of the validity and accuracy of the qualification shall promptly certify the list to the North Carolina State Firemen's Association. The Firemen's Association shall provide a list of those persons meeting the eligibility requirements of this section to the State Treasurer by January 31 of each year. For the purposes of the preceding sentence, the governing body of a fire department operated: by a county is the county board of commissioners; by a city is the city council; by a sanitary district is the sanitary district board; by a corporation, whether profit or nonprofit, is the corporation's board of directors; and by any other entity is that group designated by the board.  (1957, c. 1420, s. 1; 1959, c. 1212, s. 1; 1981, c. 1029, s. 1; 1983, c. 416, s. 7; 1985, c. 241; 2000‑67, s. 26.22; 2001‑222, s. 1; 2003‑362, s. 1; 2009‑66, s. 2(b).)

 To get a definition of what qualifies as acceptable training hours we must look at general statute 58-86-25.  It simply defines it has "drills and meetings'.  Please see the entire statute below for any further clarification or contact the pension office at 877.508.9110.

   § 58‑86‑25.  "Eligible firemen" defined; determination and certification of volunteers meeting qualifications.

"Eligible firemen" shall mean all firemen of the State of North Carolina or any political subdivision thereof, including those performing such functions in the protection of life and property through fire fighting within a county or city governmental unit and so certified to the Commissioner of Insurance by the governing body thereof, and who belong to a bona fide fire department which, as determined by the Commissioner, is classified as not less than class "9" or class "A" and "AA" departments in accordance with rating methods, schedules, classifications, underwriting rules, bylaws or regulations effective or applied with respect to the establishment of rates or premiums used or charged pursuant to Article 36 or 40 of this Chapter or by such other reasonable methods as the Commissioner may determine, and which operates fire apparatus and equipment of the value of five thousand dollars ($5,000) or more, and said fire department holds drills and meetings not less than four hours monthly and said firemen attend at least 36 hours of all drills and meetings in each calendar year. "Eligible firemen" shall also mean an employee of a county whose sole duty is to act as fire marshal, deputy fire marshal, assistant fire marshal, or firefighter of the county, provided the board of county commissioners of that county certifies the employee's attendance at no less than 36 hours of all drills and meetings in each calendar year. "Eligible firemen" shall also mean those persons meeting the other qualifications of this section, not exceeding 25 volunteer firemen plus one additional volunteer fireman per 100 population in the area served by their respective departments. Each department shall annually determine and report the names of those firemen meeting the eligibility qualifications of this section to its respective governing body, which upon determination of the validity and accuracy of the qualification shall promptly certify the list to the North Carolina State Firemen's Association. The Firemen's Association shall provide a list of those persons meeting the eligibility requirements of this section to the State Treasurer by January 31 of each year. For the purposes of the preceding sentence, the governing body of a fire department operated: by a county is the county board of commissioners; by a city is the city council; by a sanitary district is the sanitary district board; by a corporation, whether profit or nonprofit, is the corporation's board of directors; and by any other entity is that group designated by the board.  (1957, c. 1420, s. 1; 1959, c. 1212, s. 1; 1981, c. 1029, s. 1; 1983, c. 416, s. 7; 1985, c. 241; 2000‑67, s. 26.22; 2001‑222, s. 1; 2003‑362, s. 1; 2009‑66, s. 2(b).)

The department you are leaving would send the NCSFA a delete form removing you from their roster. Get the form here.

The department you are joining would add you to their roster by sending the NCSFA an addition sheet. Get the form here.

The NCSFA will make the necessary corrections using the add/delete forms.

Yes.

You must be on the roster for all departments on which you run calls.  If you are not on the roster of the department you are on duty with and get injured or killed in the line of duty then you may not be eligible for some of the death benefits.

No.  Only firefighters may be on the roster.  Only firefighters can receive member benefits and pension benefits.

No, but many departments choose to do so out of respect for the service rendered by the retiree.  There are some non-line-of-duty benefits the retiree enjoys if carried on the roster.  If enrolled, the retiree is allowed to continue their participation in the Fraternal Insurance Program, the eye care discount is available to them as well as the $10,000.00 coverage under the Accidental Death and Dismemberment Policy.

No, 36 hours of training is not required of those who have retired, but be sure your retirees are not running calls.  If they do run calls they must have 36 hours of training annually to be eligible for the state line-of-duty death benefit.

The roster for NCSFA serves two purposes.  The first is to provide current information of who is on your roster, but it also serves as the certification roster for the State Treasurer’s Office.  The term "certification" simply means that the chief is 'certifying' that his members have received their 36 hours of training as required to receive pension benefits and to receive the state line-of-duty death benefits.  To get a definition of what qualifies as acceptable training hours we must look at general statute 58-86-25.  It simply defines it as "drills and meetings'.  Please see the entire statute below for any further clarification or contact the pension office at 877.508.9110.

  § 58‑86‑25.  "Eligible firemen" defined; determination and certification of volunteers meeting qualifications.

 "Eligible firemen" shall mean all firemen of the State of North Carolina or any political subdivision thereof, including those performing such functions in the protection of life and property through fire fighting within a county or city governmental unit and so certified to the Commissioner of Insurance by the governing body thereof, and who belong to a bona fide fire department which, as determined by the Commissioner, is classified as not less than class "9" or class "A" and "AA" departments in accordance with rating methods, schedules, classifications, underwriting rules, bylaws or regulations effective or applied with respect to the establishment of rates or premiums used or charged pursuant to Article 36 or 40 of this Chapter or by such other reasonable methods as the Commissioner may determine, and which operates fire apparatus and equipment of the value of five thousand dollars ($5,000) or more, and said fire department holds drills and meetings not less than four hours monthly and said firemen attend at least 36 hours of all drills and meetings in each calendar year. "Eligible firemen" shall also mean an employee of a county whose sole duty is to act as fire marshal, deputy fire marshal, assistant fire marshal, or firefighter of the county, provided the board of county commissioners of that county certifies the employee's attendance at no less than 36 hours of all drills and meetings in each calendar year. "Eligible firemen" shall also mean those persons meeting the other qualifications of this section, not exceeding 25 volunteer firemen plus one additional volunteer fireman per 100 population in the area served by their respective departments. Each department shall annually determine and report the names of those firemen meeting the eligibility qualifications of this section to its respective governing body, which upon determination of the validity and accuracy of the qualification shall promptly certify the list to the North Carolina State Firemen's Association. The Firemen's Association shall provide a list of those persons meeting the eligibility requirements of this section to the State Treasurer by January 31 of each year. For the purposes of the preceding sentence, the governing body of a fire department operated: by a county is the county board of commissioners; by a city is the city council; by a sanitary district is the sanitary district board; by a corporation, whether profit or nonprofit, is the corporation's board of directors; and by any other entity is that group designated by the board.  (1957, c. 1420, s. 1; 1959, c. 1212, s. 1; 1981, c. 1029, s. 1; 1983, c. 416, s. 7; 1985, c. 241; 2000‑67, s. 26.22; 2001‑222, s. 1; 2003‑362, s. 1; 2009‑66, s. 2(b).)

 To get a definition of what qualifies as acceptable training hours we must look at general statute 58-86-25.  It simply defines it has "drills and meetings'.  Please see the entire statute below for any further clarification or contact the pension office at 877.508.9110.

   § 58‑86‑25.  "Eligible firemen" defined; determination and certification of volunteers meeting qualifications.

"Eligible firemen" shall mean all firemen of the State of North Carolina or any political subdivision thereof, including those performing such functions in the protection of life and property through fire fighting within a county or city governmental unit and so certified to the Commissioner of Insurance by the governing body thereof, and who belong to a bona fide fire department which, as determined by the Commissioner, is classified as not less than class "9" or class "A" and "AA" departments in accordance with rating methods, schedules, classifications, underwriting rules, bylaws or regulations effective or applied with respect to the establishment of rates or premiums used or charged pursuant to Article 36 or 40 of this Chapter or by such other reasonable methods as the Commissioner may determine, and which operates fire apparatus and equipment of the value of five thousand dollars ($5,000) or more, and said fire department holds drills and meetings not less than four hours monthly and said firemen attend at least 36 hours of all drills and meetings in each calendar year. "Eligible firemen" shall also mean an employee of a county whose sole duty is to act as fire marshal, deputy fire marshal, assistant fire marshal, or firefighter of the county, provided the board of county commissioners of that county certifies the employee's attendance at no less than 36 hours of all drills and meetings in each calendar year. "Eligible firemen" shall also mean those persons meeting the other qualifications of this section, not exceeding 25 volunteer firemen plus one additional volunteer fireman per 100 population in the area served by their respective departments. Each department shall annually determine and report the names of those firemen meeting the eligibility qualifications of this section to its respective governing body, which upon determination of the validity and accuracy of the qualification shall promptly certify the list to the North Carolina State Firemen's Association. The Firemen's Association shall provide a list of those persons meeting the eligibility requirements of this section to the State Treasurer by January 31 of each year. For the purposes of the preceding sentence, the governing body of a fire department operated: by a county is the county board of commissioners; by a city is the city council; by a sanitary district is the sanitary district board; by a corporation, whether profit or nonprofit, is the corporation's board of directors; and by any other entity is that group designated by the board.  (1957, c. 1420, s. 1; 1959, c. 1212, s. 1; 1981, c. 1029, s. 1; 1983, c. 416, s. 7; 1985, c. 241; 2000‑67, s. 26.22; 2001‑222, s. 1; 2003‑362, s. 1; 2009‑66, s. 2(b).)

Please contact the pension office directly at 877-508-9110.

Yes, you can buy back years.

You must contact the pension office to get the information on this at 877-508-9110.

The roster for NCSFA serves two purposes.  The first is to provide current information of who is on your roster, but it also serves as the certification roster for the State Treasurer’s Office.  The term "certification" simply means that the chief is 'certifying' that his members have received their 36 hours of training as required to receive pension benefits and to receive the state line-of-duty death benefits.  To get a definition of what qualifies as acceptable training hours we must look at general statute 58-86-25.  It simply defines it as "drills and meetings'.  Please see the entire statute below for any further clarification or contact the pension office at 877.508.9110.

  § 58‑86‑25.  "Eligible firemen" defined; determination and certification of volunteers meeting qualifications.

 "Eligible firemen" shall mean all firemen of the State of North Carolina or any political subdivision thereof, including those performing such functions in the protection of life and property through fire fighting within a county or city governmental unit and so certified to the Commissioner of Insurance by the governing body thereof, and who belong to a bona fide fire department which, as determined by the Commissioner, is classified as not less than class "9" or class "A" and "AA" departments in accordance with rating methods, schedules, classifications, underwriting rules, bylaws or regulations effective or applied with respect to the establishment of rates or premiums used or charged pursuant to Article 36 or 40 of this Chapter or by such other reasonable methods as the Commissioner may determine, and which operates fire apparatus and equipment of the value of five thousand dollars ($5,000) or more, and said fire department holds drills and meetings not less than four hours monthly and said firemen attend at least 36 hours of all drills and meetings in each calendar year. "Eligible firemen" shall also mean an employee of a county whose sole duty is to act as fire marshal, deputy fire marshal, assistant fire marshal, or firefighter of the county, provided the board of county commissioners of that county certifies the employee's attendance at no less than 36 hours of all drills and meetings in each calendar year. "Eligible firemen" shall also mean those persons meeting the other qualifications of this section, not exceeding 25 volunteer firemen plus one additional volunteer fireman per 100 population in the area served by their respective departments. Each department shall annually determine and report the names of those firemen meeting the eligibility qualifications of this section to its respective governing body, which upon determination of the validity and accuracy of the qualification shall promptly certify the list to the North Carolina State Firemen's Association. The Firemen's Association shall provide a list of those persons meeting the eligibility requirements of this section to the State Treasurer by January 31 of each year. For the purposes of the preceding sentence, the governing body of a fire department operated: by a county is the county board of commissioners; by a city is the city council; by a sanitary district is the sanitary district board; by a corporation, whether profit or nonprofit, is the corporation's board of directors; and by any other entity is that group designated by the board.  (1957, c. 1420, s. 1; 1959, c. 1212, s. 1; 1981, c. 1029, s. 1; 1983, c. 416, s. 7; 1985, c. 241; 2000‑67, s. 26.22; 2001‑222, s. 1; 2003‑362, s. 1; 2009‑66, s. 2(b).)

 To get a definition of what qualifies as acceptable training hours we must look at general statute 58-86-25.  It simply defines it has "drills and meetings'.  Please see the entire statute below for any further clarification or contact the pension office at 877.508.9110.

   § 58‑86‑25.  "Eligible firemen" defined; determination and certification of volunteers meeting qualifications.

"Eligible firemen" shall mean all firemen of the State of North Carolina or any political subdivision thereof, including those performing such functions in the protection of life and property through fire fighting within a county or city governmental unit and so certified to the Commissioner of Insurance by the governing body thereof, and who belong to a bona fide fire department which, as determined by the Commissioner, is classified as not less than class "9" or class "A" and "AA" departments in accordance with rating methods, schedules, classifications, underwriting rules, bylaws or regulations effective or applied with respect to the establishment of rates or premiums used or charged pursuant to Article 36 or 40 of this Chapter or by such other reasonable methods as the Commissioner may determine, and which operates fire apparatus and equipment of the value of five thousand dollars ($5,000) or more, and said fire department holds drills and meetings not less than four hours monthly and said firemen attend at least 36 hours of all drills and meetings in each calendar year. "Eligible firemen" shall also mean an employee of a county whose sole duty is to act as fire marshal, deputy fire marshal, assistant fire marshal, or firefighter of the county, provided the board of county commissioners of that county certifies the employee's attendance at no less than 36 hours of all drills and meetings in each calendar year. "Eligible firemen" shall also mean those persons meeting the other qualifications of this section, not exceeding 25 volunteer firemen plus one additional volunteer fireman per 100 population in the area served by their respective departments. Each department shall annually determine and report the names of those firemen meeting the eligibility qualifications of this section to its respective governing body, which upon determination of the validity and accuracy of the qualification shall promptly certify the list to the North Carolina State Firemen's Association. The Firemen's Association shall provide a list of those persons meeting the eligibility requirements of this section to the State Treasurer by January 31 of each year. For the purposes of the preceding sentence, the governing body of a fire department operated: by a county is the county board of commissioners; by a city is the city council; by a sanitary district is the sanitary district board; by a corporation, whether profit or nonprofit, is the corporation's board of directors; and by any other entity is that group designated by the board.  (1957, c. 1420, s. 1; 1959, c. 1212, s. 1; 1981, c. 1029, s. 1; 1983, c. 416, s. 7; 1985, c. 241; 2000‑67, s. 26.22; 2001‑222, s. 1; 2003‑362, s. 1; 2009‑66, s. 2(b).)

There are a variety of things you can use your relief money for, but before using it for anything other than an expense directly related to a Line of Duty Death, you must send your request in writing to our office for approval.

Statutory uses are listed in G.S. 58-84-35.

Possibly.

You must at least 5 years of service within that department and be a member in good standing.

You must present your request to your department's local relief fund board and they must send a written request to our office in order for an approval process to be given.

5 Years.

Yes.  A written request must be submmitted to NCSFA for approval.

Any funds dispursed from the Relief Fund Account by a department without express permission from NCSFA will be reported as misued funds and the department will forfeit the next payment due to them.

You can find more on general statute Chapter 58-84 here.

Please go to the roster management portion of our website for instructions.

The roster for NCSFA serves two purposes.  The first is to provide current information of who is on your roster, but it also serves as the certification roster for the State Treasurer’s Office.  The term "certification" simply means that the chief is 'certifying' that his members have received their 36 hours of training as required to receive pension benefits and to receive the state line-of-duty death benefits.  To get a definition of what qualifies as acceptable training hours we must look at general statute 58-86-25.  It simply defines it as "drills and meetings'.  Please see the entire statute below for any further clarification or contact the pension office at 877.508.9110.

  § 58‑86‑25.  "Eligible firemen" defined; determination and certification of volunteers meeting qualifications.

 "Eligible firemen" shall mean all firemen of the State of North Carolina or any political subdivision thereof, including those performing such functions in the protection of life and property through fire fighting within a county or city governmental unit and so certified to the Commissioner of Insurance by the governing body thereof, and who belong to a bona fide fire department which, as determined by the Commissioner, is classified as not less than class "9" or class "A" and "AA" departments in accordance with rating methods, schedules, classifications, underwriting rules, bylaws or regulations effective or applied with respect to the establishment of rates or premiums used or charged pursuant to Article 36 or 40 of this Chapter or by such other reasonable methods as the Commissioner may determine, and which operates fire apparatus and equipment of the value of five thousand dollars ($5,000) or more, and said fire department holds drills and meetings not less than four hours monthly and said firemen attend at least 36 hours of all drills and meetings in each calendar year. "Eligible firemen" shall also mean an employee of a county whose sole duty is to act as fire marshal, deputy fire marshal, assistant fire marshal, or firefighter of the county, provided the board of county commissioners of that county certifies the employee's attendance at no less than 36 hours of all drills and meetings in each calendar year. "Eligible firemen" shall also mean those persons meeting the other qualifications of this section, not exceeding 25 volunteer firemen plus one additional volunteer fireman per 100 population in the area served by their respective departments. Each department shall annually determine and report the names of those firemen meeting the eligibility qualifications of this section to its respective governing body, which upon determination of the validity and accuracy of the qualification shall promptly certify the list to the North Carolina State Firemen's Association. The Firemen's Association shall provide a list of those persons meeting the eligibility requirements of this section to the State Treasurer by January 31 of each year. For the purposes of the preceding sentence, the governing body of a fire department operated: by a county is the county board of commissioners; by a city is the city council; by a sanitary district is the sanitary district board; by a corporation, whether profit or nonprofit, is the corporation's board of directors; and by any other entity is that group designated by the board.  (1957, c. 1420, s. 1; 1959, c. 1212, s. 1; 1981, c. 1029, s. 1; 1983, c. 416, s. 7; 1985, c. 241; 2000‑67, s. 26.22; 2001‑222, s. 1; 2003‑362, s. 1; 2009‑66, s. 2(b).)

 To get a definition of what qualifies as acceptable training hours we must look at general statute 58-86-25.  It simply defines it has "drills and meetings'.  Please see the entire statute below for any further clarification or contact the pension office at 877.508.9110.

   § 58‑86‑25.  "Eligible firemen" defined; determination and certification of volunteers meeting qualifications.

"Eligible firemen" shall mean all firemen of the State of North Carolina or any political subdivision thereof, including those performing such functions in the protection of life and property through fire fighting within a county or city governmental unit and so certified to the Commissioner of Insurance by the governing body thereof, and who belong to a bona fide fire department which, as determined by the Commissioner, is classified as not less than class "9" or class "A" and "AA" departments in accordance with rating methods, schedules, classifications, underwriting rules, bylaws or regulations effective or applied with respect to the establishment of rates or premiums used or charged pursuant to Article 36 or 40 of this Chapter or by such other reasonable methods as the Commissioner may determine, and which operates fire apparatus and equipment of the value of five thousand dollars ($5,000) or more, and said fire department holds drills and meetings not less than four hours monthly and said firemen attend at least 36 hours of all drills and meetings in each calendar year. "Eligible firemen" shall also mean an employee of a county whose sole duty is to act as fire marshal, deputy fire marshal, assistant fire marshal, or firefighter of the county, provided the board of county commissioners of that county certifies the employee's attendance at no less than 36 hours of all drills and meetings in each calendar year. "Eligible firemen" shall also mean those persons meeting the other qualifications of this section, not exceeding 25 volunteer firemen plus one additional volunteer fireman per 100 population in the area served by their respective departments. Each department shall annually determine and report the names of those firemen meeting the eligibility qualifications of this section to its respective governing body, which upon determination of the validity and accuracy of the qualification shall promptly certify the list to the North Carolina State Firemen's Association. The Firemen's Association shall provide a list of those persons meeting the eligibility requirements of this section to the State Treasurer by January 31 of each year. For the purposes of the preceding sentence, the governing body of a fire department operated: by a county is the county board of commissioners; by a city is the city council; by a sanitary district is the sanitary district board; by a corporation, whether profit or nonprofit, is the corporation's board of directors; and by any other entity is that group designated by the board.  (1957, c. 1420, s. 1; 1959, c. 1212, s. 1; 1981, c. 1029, s. 1; 1983, c. 416, s. 7; 1985, c. 241; 2000‑67, s. 26.22; 2001‑222, s. 1; 2003‑362, s. 1; 2009‑66, s. 2(b).)

If you are a member in good standing of a department that is a member of the NC State Firemen's Association and if your child is currently a graduating senior in high school, then your child is eligible to apply for the regional scholarship.  All other sc

Scholarship applications are accepted annually from January 1st to March 15th.

If you are a member in good standing of a department that is a member of the NC State Firemen's Association then you are eligible to apply for any of the applicable scholarships or grants to help further your child's education.

Scholarship applications are accepted annually from January 1st to March 15th.

A scholarship is awarded over a period of 2 years or 4 years, depending on the particular scholarship awarded.

A grant is given to the recipient in one lump sum.

Any Firefighter certified by another state or agency whose program is accredited by the International Fire Service Accreditation Congress (IFSAC), or the National Board of Fire Service Professional Qualifications, and is a member of a fire/rescue agency in North Carolina may be granted equivalent certification provided the agency was accredited at the time of his/her certification.*

*From OSFM website.

More details available at the Office of the State Fire Marshal website on this subject.

The roster for NCSFA serves two purposes.  The first is to provide current information of who is on your roster, but it also serves as the certification roster for the State Treasurer’s Office.  The term "certification" simply means that the chief is 'certifying' that his members have received their 36 hours of training as required to receive pension benefits and to receive the state line-of-duty death benefits.  To get a definition of what qualifies as acceptable training hours we must look at general statute 58-86-25.  It simply defines it as "drills and meetings'.  Please see the entire statute below for any further clarification or contact the pension office at 877.508.9110.

  § 58‑86‑25.  "Eligible firemen" defined; determination and certification of volunteers meeting qualifications.

 "Eligible firemen" shall mean all firemen of the State of North Carolina or any political subdivision thereof, including those performing such functions in the protection of life and property through fire fighting within a county or city governmental unit and so certified to the Commissioner of Insurance by the governing body thereof, and who belong to a bona fide fire department which, as determined by the Commissioner, is classified as not less than class "9" or class "A" and "AA" departments in accordance with rating methods, schedules, classifications, underwriting rules, bylaws or regulations effective or applied with respect to the establishment of rates or premiums used or charged pursuant to Article 36 or 40 of this Chapter or by such other reasonable methods as the Commissioner may determine, and which operates fire apparatus and equipment of the value of five thousand dollars ($5,000) or more, and said fire department holds drills and meetings not less than four hours monthly and said firemen attend at least 36 hours of all drills and meetings in each calendar year. "Eligible firemen" shall also mean an employee of a county whose sole duty is to act as fire marshal, deputy fire marshal, assistant fire marshal, or firefighter of the county, provided the board of county commissioners of that county certifies the employee's attendance at no less than 36 hours of all drills and meetings in each calendar year. "Eligible firemen" shall also mean those persons meeting the other qualifications of this section, not exceeding 25 volunteer firemen plus one additional volunteer fireman per 100 population in the area served by their respective departments. Each department shall annually determine and report the names of those firemen meeting the eligibility qualifications of this section to its respective governing body, which upon determination of the validity and accuracy of the qualification shall promptly certify the list to the North Carolina State Firemen's Association. The Firemen's Association shall provide a list of those persons meeting the eligibility requirements of this section to the State Treasurer by January 31 of each year. For the purposes of the preceding sentence, the governing body of a fire department operated: by a county is the county board of commissioners; by a city is the city council; by a sanitary district is the sanitary district board; by a corporation, whether profit or nonprofit, is the corporation's board of directors; and by any other entity is that group designated by the board.  (1957, c. 1420, s. 1; 1959, c. 1212, s. 1; 1981, c. 1029, s. 1; 1983, c. 416, s. 7; 1985, c. 241; 2000‑67, s. 26.22; 2001‑222, s. 1; 2003‑362, s. 1; 2009‑66, s. 2(b).)

 To get a definition of what qualifies as acceptable training hours we must look at general statute 58-86-25.  It simply defines it has "drills and meetings'.  Please see the entire statute below for any further clarification or contact the pension office at 877.508.9110.

   § 58‑86‑25.  "Eligible firemen" defined; determination and certification of volunteers meeting qualifications.

"Eligible firemen" shall mean all firemen of the State of North Carolina or any political subdivision thereof, including those performing such functions in the protection of life and property through fire fighting within a county or city governmental unit and so certified to the Commissioner of Insurance by the governing body thereof, and who belong to a bona fide fire department which, as determined by the Commissioner, is classified as not less than class "9" or class "A" and "AA" departments in accordance with rating methods, schedules, classifications, underwriting rules, bylaws or regulations effective or applied with respect to the establishment of rates or premiums used or charged pursuant to Article 36 or 40 of this Chapter or by such other reasonable methods as the Commissioner may determine, and which operates fire apparatus and equipment of the value of five thousand dollars ($5,000) or more, and said fire department holds drills and meetings not less than four hours monthly and said firemen attend at least 36 hours of all drills and meetings in each calendar year. "Eligible firemen" shall also mean an employee of a county whose sole duty is to act as fire marshal, deputy fire marshal, assistant fire marshal, or firefighter of the county, provided the board of county commissioners of that county certifies the employee's attendance at no less than 36 hours of all drills and meetings in each calendar year. "Eligible firemen" shall also mean those persons meeting the other qualifications of this section, not exceeding 25 volunteer firemen plus one additional volunteer fireman per 100 population in the area served by their respective departments. Each department shall annually determine and report the names of those firemen meeting the eligibility qualifications of this section to its respective governing body, which upon determination of the validity and accuracy of the qualification shall promptly certify the list to the North Carolina State Firemen's Association. The Firemen's Association shall provide a list of those persons meeting the eligibility requirements of this section to the State Treasurer by January 31 of each year. For the purposes of the preceding sentence, the governing body of a fire department operated: by a county is the county board of commissioners; by a city is the city council; by a sanitary district is the sanitary district board; by a corporation, whether profit or nonprofit, is the corporation's board of directors; and by any other entity is that group designated by the board.  (1957, c. 1420, s. 1; 1959, c. 1212, s. 1; 1981, c. 1029, s. 1; 1983, c. 416, s. 7; 1985, c. 241; 2000‑67, s. 26.22; 2001‑222, s. 1; 2003‑362, s. 1; 2009‑66, s. 2(b).)