Question 1

What is the biographical information form?

Accepted Answer

The biographical information form is used ideally as a pre-planning tool. It contains a biography of a members life and career. In most cases the information on the form is only known to the member. It can be very useful to our Chaplain’s Office or others to create a eulogy for services and flag ceremonies.

Once a member passes it can be very difficult for families to reconstruct their lives and careers, particularly if a long time has passed since the member retired. The biographical information form can be a great gift for a member to provide for their families at that stressful time in their lives.

Question 2

What are the Survivors packets?

Accepted Answer

Survivors packets are a resource to guide the families when one of our members pass. It contains contact numbers and notifications that must be made for the timely continuation of benefits for the members family.

Ideally, it would be used as a pre-planning tool while the member lived, and kept with important papers. There are two versions; one for retirees of CALPERS, and another for retirees of LACERA.

Question 3

When is the best time to fill the packets and forms out?

Accepted Answer

Ideally, the best time is before a loss occurs. Many times the member is the best (or even only) source of this information. Some of this information is required by the retirement systems and is very difficult for the families to find, especially during times of grief. One scenario the packet is designed to prevent is the delay of income or health benefits from untimely notifications to the retirement systems, which has occurred to our members families.

Question 4

What are the steps to take when my family member passes?

Accepted Answer

The most important steps to take are notifications to the retirement systems. This starts the clock on their processing of the family’s claim for benefits. This procedure is contained in the packets. In some cases, our reunion committee can make the notifications on behalf of the family if we have the necessary information. We are honored to assist our member families at this difficult time in their lives if you choose to do so. Each family is different and has different preferences, which is another reason to use the packet as a pre-planning tool.

Question 5

Who is entitled to the services of the Chaplain’s Office?

Accepted Answer

The services of the LACoFD Chaplains Office is available to all of our members regardless of which retirement system you retired from. Former City of Covina retirees are afforded the exact same privileges as LACoFD retirees.

Question 6

What services does the Chaplains Office provide?

Accepted Answer

The Chaplains Office serves as a non denominational gateway to services provided to the families of our departed brothers by the LACoFD. Its role is to provide as many or as few services as the family is comfortable with, and respect the family’s wishes. If the family would like spiritual assistance that can be provided, but it is not required. The Chaplains Office also handles coordination on behalf of the family for flag ceremonies, Line of Duty deaths, and can provide a eulogy based on the members Fire Department career, as well as other services the family might require. Think of the Chaplains Office as a LACoFD department liaison to a retirees family.

Question 7

Can we just contact the Covina Fire Reunion Committee at a time of loss?

Accepted Answer

Yes, we would be honored to help act as a liaison on your behalf with the department if you are more comfortable with that. Feel free to email us at covinafire@gmail.com.(mailto:covinafire@gmail.com)

Memorials

Brothers who have passed

Remembering Richard Carney

Remembering Larry Clement

Remembering Al LeCou

Remembering Bruce McLain

Remembering Zan Olson

Remembering John Alkema

Remembering Paul Thomsen

Remembering Lee Knott

Remembering Raleigh Neilson

Remembering Raoul Buron

Remembering Jim Fornes

Remembering Richard Escalante

Remembering Harry Greenland

Remembering Norm Janes

Remembering Jim Murphy

Remembering Harold Gauldin

Remembering Ken Graves

Remembering Don Thomas

Remembering Carl Johnson

Remembering Claude Howell

Remembering Robert Clemens

Remembering Earl Rankin

Remembering Mike Lowry

Remembering Dale Files

Remembering Dale Reinwald

Remembering Keith Kaarup

Remembering George Stillwagon

Remembering Howard Douglas

Remembering Jim Baughman

Remembering George Eliott

Remembering Barney Dial

Remembering Leon Kisman

Remembering William Bonebrake

Remembering Richard Miller

Remembering Mark Mercer

Remembering Harold Thomsen

Remembering Harold Brown

Remembering John Coffman

Resources for Survivors

Biographical Information

Covina Fire Department Survivors

L.A. County Fire Department Survivors

CSFA Preplan Document

Contact Us

Additional Resources