![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
PLEASE REVIEW THE USFRA EXTERNAL LINKS POLICY BEFORE SUBMITTING YOUR LINKS.
If you do not follow the instructions concerning our policy on external links
your submission will be sent to the spam folder.
Start Networking With Your Colleagues and Friends! Apply For Your Free Membership!
or Sign In
Welcome Back USFRA Members.
USFRA is a 501c-3 Professional and Social Network of Firefighters, EMS, Rescue, Law Enforcement, Military and Civilian Support Teams
Welcome center, member introductions and communications center.
USFRA Operations
Business Hours
Mon-Fri 8am - 4pm
Saturday 12pm - 4pm
Closed Sundays
USFRA is managed by a dedicated group of volunteers of First Responders, EMS Personnel, business owners, and Clergy.
STANDARD OPERATING GUIDELINES (SOGs)
PLEASE REVIEW THE USFRA EXTERNAL LINKS POLICY BEFORE SUBMITTING YOUR LINKS.
We only provide FREE one way links to IRS confirmed not for profit/charitable and government entities.
FSC and USFRA custom book projects
Please join FSC, USFRA and our partners in a lifesaving project that benefits first responders and veterans. FSC is printing 20,000+ custom USFRA disaster preparedness and first aid books for the Dallas-Fort Worth area -- Learn more
----------------------------
----------------------------
Jägermeister and USFRA thank Florida First Responders after Hurricane Michael
----------------------------
StarCom Racing, Landon Cassill and USFRA Car #00 honor NASCAR Hometown Heroes
----------------------------
----------------------------
----------------------------
We rely on the financial support of visitors.
Show your support for Fire-Rescue, EMS, Law Enforcement and the U.S Armed Forces!! Donate and receive one decal for your vehicle or place of business!
PROUDLY SHOW YOUR SUPPORT FOR PUBLIC SAFETY AND THE U.S. ARMED FORCES WITH THE USFRA PATCH!!
Sport your very own USFRA Member T-Shirt! Show your support for First Responders with your name and station number imprinted on the front and the back!
Custom Imprinted Fire Dept. Maltese Cross T-Shirt
6.1 oz. pre-shrunk heavyweight cotton. (Light Steel and Charcoal Heather are 90%/10%). Shoulder-to-shoulder tape. Double-needle sleeves and bottom hem. "C" logo on left sleeve. Our new Maltese design is now customizable with your name. You can order this custom tee just the way you want it. Available with small or large front imprint and/or large back imprint. Easy to order, simply choose your Shirt Size and tell us the text you want imprinted around the Maltese Cross as well as the number or word to be imprinted in the center of the Maltese Cross. (The inside imprint text or number is limited to 7 characters only). Available in Adult sizes Small thru 3X.
Funds raised from the sale of the USFRA Member shirts will go towards the USFRA Pet Oxygen Mask Program!
Sizes: Small Medium Large
XL 2XL (add 2.00)
3XL (add 3.00)
Color Navy Blue with White Lettering
***Please allow 10 - 21 business days for delivery. Remember, these shirts are personalized.
Created by Fyre Walker Apr 11, 2008 at 6:20am. Last updated by Fyre Walker Aug 30.
Created by Fyre Walker Aug 6, 2009 at 4:29pm. Last updated by Fyre Walker Jun 9.
Created by Fyre Walker Mar 10, 2010 at 6:48pm. Last updated by Fyre Walker Oct 24, 2013.
Created by Fyre Walker Feb 8, 2011 at 12:19pm. Last updated by Fyre Walker Jun 9.
Created by Fyre Walker Jul 19, 2011 at 12:50am. Last updated by Fyre Walker Jun 9.
Created by Fyre Walker Jul 26, 2009 at 3:07pm. Last updated by Fyre Walker Jun 9.
Created by Cam Mitchell Jan 24, 2013 at 10:38am. Last updated by Cam Mitchell Jan 24, 2013.
Created by Fyre Walker Mar 18, 2009 at 2:32pm. Last updated by Fyre Walker Jun 9.
Created by Fyre Walker Mar 21, 2012 at 11:00am. Last updated by Tony Thomas Apr 12, 2017.
Created by Fyre Walker Aug 6, 2009 at 9:22pm. Last updated by Fyre Walker Jun 9.
Created by Fyre Walker Aug 31, 2009 at 6:34pm. Last updated by Fyre Walker Jul 25.
Created by Fyre Walker Jun 24, 2009 at 9:49am. Last updated by Fyre Walker Jun 9.
Created by Tony Thomas Jun 13, 2010 at 11:16am. Last updated by Fyre Walker Jun 9.
Created by Fyre Walker Mar 21, 2012 at 11:44am. Last updated by Fyre Walker Mar 21, 2012.
Created by Fyre Walker Mar 25, 2010 at 4:23pm. Last updated by Janet Liebsch Oct 17, 2018.
Rucker Law Firm, PLLC is a personal injury firm located in Houston, Texas. Practice areas include car, truck, and other vehicle accidents, Jones Act injury cases, oil industry injuries, slip and fall, dog bites, and wrongful death.
---------------------------------
Michael P. Fleming & Associates, P. C.
_____________________
Karen Loveless is a retired Firefighter/EMT -- now a professional songwriter. She wrote this song for all public servants...Thank You For The Job You Do!" click below to listen and learn more
---------------------------------
_______________________
---------------------------
---------------------------------
Create A Brighter Future. Join In!
Get Involved In Volunteer Projects.
---------------------------------
USFRA Member Benefits offers a wide variety special discounts for USFRA.org members. The USFRA program offers businesses the opportunity to promote products and services, at no charge to you, by providing special discounts and savings to Public Safety Members. (Fire-Rescue, EMS, Law Enforcement and the U.S. Armed Forces)
Your company or organization can be on the ground floor of this exciting NEW program by completing and submitting this application.
*Incomplete applications will be rejected.
Contact us for more information.
-------------------------------
---------------------------------
In keeping with the overall theme of sharing education and tactical training, here is a list of our networking partners.
Homecoming is an exciting time as you reconnect with family and friends and reintegrate to life stateside. During this readjustment period, it’s important that you revisit your financial affairs since your income and monthly expenses will change now that you are no longer serving in a combat environment. Evaluating your financial health to make sure your obligations and needs are covered will help you prevent financial related stress that could eventually lead to debt, relationship challenges or psychological health concerns such as depression or substance misuse.1 Using the tips and tools in this article will help give you financial peace of mind as you reintegrate to life at home.
This is the third article in a three part series on preventing financial stress during all stages of deployment. Although you have returned from deployment, the article, “Preparing Your Finances Before Deployment,” can provide you with useful tips and tools to help you organize your financial obligations, develop a financial management plan and create a savings plan. Additionally, many of the suggestions and resources highlighted in the article, “Managing Financial Challenges During Deployment” can help you keep your financial health in check and cope with financial challenges after deployment.
While you were away, a spouse, parent or other responsible individual may have served as your financial overseer and managed your financial obligations. Now that you’re home, it’s important to re-evaluate these roles to establish who will manage your family’s financial responsibilities. Determining financial roles quickly on your return will help make sure your family stays current on financial obligations.
For additional tips and tools to help you and your family transition through post-deployment, read the Real Warriors Campaign articles, “Transitioning Through a Reunion” and “Tips for Spouses of Returning Service Members”.
Before you deployed, you may have established a power of attorney to legally grant a family member or other responsible individual the right to make decisions on your behalf. Any existing power of attorney will remain in effect until the expiration date, if it was included, or until you revoke it. If the power of attorney established prior to your deployment does not have an expiration date or if the expiration date has not yet arrived, you may take steps to revoke the power of attorney by working with your lawyer or contacting the legal office at your installation.2
Additionally, you may have drafted or updated your will prior to deployment to make sure your property would be handled following your wishes in case of death. It’s important to revisit your will to make sure it still meets your needs and preferences.2
For assistance with revoking your power of attorney or updating your will, contact the legal office at your installation or use the U.S. Armed Forces Legal Assistance locator to find legal help near you.
The Record of Emergency Data (RED), also known as Page 2 or DD Form 93, is used to contact next of kin, designate a beneficiary to receive certain military benefits and identify an individual to coordinate funeral arrangements. It is important that your RED is regularly maintained by revisiting your form at least once a year to make sure it’s current.3 To update your RED, visit:
Prior to deployment, you may have updated your Servicemembers Group Life Insurance (SGLI) form, which identifies the legal beneficiary for your SGLI payment in case of death.3 You should review your SGLI form yearly and update as needed. For more information or to update your form, visit the Servicemembers and Veterans Group Life Insurance page.
While you were deployed, you may have taken advantage of the financial protections offered to active duty service members, including activated members of the National Guard and reserve, through the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA). SCRA financial relief options include suspending or postponing certain financial obligations such as credit card payments, rent or mortgage payments, taxes and other commitments. It’s important to revisit the terms of your financial protections to understand your obligations now that you’re home. For more information or assistance with understanding your SCRA financial protections, contact your nearest Armed Forces Legal Assistance Program using the military legal assistance office locator.
When you return from deployment, your monthly income will change. The additional special pays and allowances received throughout deployment will expire and taxes will be applied to your income since you’re no longer serving in a combat zone.
For members of the National Guard and reserve forces, your active duty pay will discontinue and you will switch back to receiving monthly drill pay from the military. Additionally, as you transition back to a civilian career, keep in mind that you may not receive your civilian employment income right away and you may have to work a pay period before receiving your compensation.2
Check your Leave and Earnings Statement (LES) to confirm that your post deployment income is accurate. If there are any errors, do not spend any extra pay that you received and report the discrepancy to your unit’s pay administrator.
To help you and your family adjust to the new monthly income, develop a financial management plan. This plan will help you understand your total take home pay after deductions; account for expenses such as a car loan, rent, mortgage, groceries and utilities; pay off credit cards and other debt; and save money for the future. To get started, download and complete Military OneSource’s Financial Management Plan worksheet and template [PDF 116KB]. For additional tools to help you manage your monthly spending such as a daily spending diary, monthly payment calendar and a spending plan worksheet, visit MyMoney.gov.
For recurring payments such as a car loan, rent, mortgage or savings account deposits, set up allotments through the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) to have these financial obligations automatically deducted from your pay and distributed on your behalf. You can have up to six discretionary allotments per month and you can manage them at your convenience.4 For more information on allotments, visit the Defense Finance and Accounting Service website or contact your installation’s finance office.
For members of the National Guard and reserve, read the Real Warriors Campaign article “Reintegrating into Civilian Life” to help you readjust to life at home. Check out the Real Warriors Campaign article, “For Employees: Reintegrating into Civilian Employment” for additional tips and resources to help you transition to your civilian job.
As you reintegrate to life at home, it’s important that you and your family follow the financial management plan that you developed based on your post-deployment income. Sticking to your plan will prevent overspending and the possibility of incurring debt.
If you have extra money available in your new financial management plan, explore options for saving or investing it each month. Setting aside even a small amount allows you to put your money somewhere that you will not be tempted to spend it. Remember, it is never too late to start saving. Contact your financial institution to learn about savings and investment opportunities that fit your needs.
To help you save for your future, enroll in the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP). The TSP is a retirement savings and investment plan sponsored by the federal government that allows you to make pre-tax contributions to a retirement fund. For more information or to set-up a TSP account, visit www.tsp.gov.
If you find that you are experiencing stress due to financial concerns, there are several programs and resources available to help warriors find assistance.
Tags:
© 2019 Created by U.S. First Responders Association
Powered by U.S. First Responders Association, Inc.
Powered by USFRA.org - Badge | Report an Issue | Terms of Service
***Disclaimer: The U. S. First Responders Association is an organization formed to provide our members shared knowledge and resources based on best practices and research available from a myriad of confirmed resources. This website serves as a vehicle to share this information. It is not the intent of our Association to operate for the benefit of private interests, to sponsor or endorse ANY specific agency, vendor, manufacturer or product. Nor is it our intent to support or endorse any political candidate or campaign for elected public office. USFRA is not a government agency.