Retired
Members Association
As a Branch Secretary and Committee member
of the London Fire Brigade’s Retired Members Association
(LFBRMA), I am often asked many questions as to the role played
by the LFBRMA. I hope the following information will answer most
of them for you.
Q.
What is the LFBRMA?
A. An organisation run by volunteer’s for the benefit of
retired members of the London Fire Brigade in retirement.
Q.
What are the aims and objectives of the LFBRMA?
A. To promote and safeguard in every way the interest of all LFB
pensioners, their wives, husbands, widows, widowers and dependants.
Q.
Who can join?
A. Membership of the Association shall be open to Retired Operational
London Fire Fighters, their widows or widowers and other Retired
Uniformed staff dealing with Fire & Emergency calls. Serving
members who are in their last 2 years of service
Q. How many members has the LFBRMA?
A. 2312 members (2133 male and 179 female). This is from a total
of 4,500 ex Firefighters who are in receipt of a pension from
the LPFA.
Q.
How do I join?
A. Contact the Membership Secretary Jim Geoghegan on 01843 229808
or
E Mail lfbrma@btinternet.conm
Q.
If I join, how is any information I give to the LFBRMA protected?
A. Obviously we need to know your name, address and telephone
number, but any other information that you give to the LFBRMA
will be protected by the Data Protection Act.
Q.
How much will it cost me?
A. £5 per annum.
Q.
What do I get for my £5?
1) Entitlement to attend and vote at the AGM, which is held in
May, at Southwark Training Centre. After the AGM and at a cost
of £7, or free if over 75 – there is a reunion held
in a marquee in the drill yard. A buffet is provided and a reasonably
price bar is available.
Sent to your home when the RMA make a contribution, the Welfare
Fund Magazine.
2) Contact via a local Secretary.
3) We are in contact with Welfare and Benevelont Funds, where
we have representatives attached to the LFBRMA Committee.
We are also in contact with the Brigade Pension Office and the
Pension Fund (LPFA).
4) The LFBRMA continues to fight and improve pension rights.
5) Your Branch Secretary will arrange hospital visits and parcels
as required.
6) We inform the next of kin by an Aide Memoir who to contact
following the death of a member.
7) We assist with funeral arrangements (if requested) and send
flowers, or make a donation to a charity chosen by the family.
8) We keep in touch with Old Comrades via a news letter published
in the Welfare Fund’s magazine.
9) We have members on the Firefighters Memorial Charitable Trust.
10) We invite members to attend the Royal British Legion Cenotaph
March Past, and the International Firefighters Day of Remembrance,
held at St Pauls Cathedral in September of each year. These services
are held to remember all Firefighters who have given the ultimate
sacrifice in the course of their duty.
11) Inform members of any retirements and Branch Reunions when
given the information.
Q.
Are there any get-togethers other than the AGM?
A. Local Secretaries arrange get-togethers. Dates differ within
each area and you will be notified by your local Secretary either
by news letter, or when you join. An additional charge may be
made for these functions. In my area we meet the third Monday
of every month, except May. A buffet is provided and this gives
us the chance to swing the lamp!
I
hope that you will consider joining a worthwhile organization
and I look forward to seeing some of you at one of the organized
events.
Colin Hart
No 2 Branch Secretary LFBRMA