The fire chief determines service credit based on their fire department activity standards. PERA does not make service credit determinations for members, mediate, or settle disputes regarding SVF Plan service credit. All service credit questions should be directed to the fire chief.
PERA emails the Annual Service Credit Certification form to fire chiefs and governing body representatives by January 31.
Fire Chiefs confirm the number of service credits (0-12) earned by each volunteer firefighter active during the prior calendar year. For example:
Service credit calendar year: January 1, 2025 – December 31, 2025 PERA provides forms via email by: January 31, 2026 Due to PERA by: March 31, 2026
Note: if a firefighter earned no service credit in the year, please indicate 0 (zero) on the form and do not leave blank.
Fire Chief completes the form and reports additional information, such as:
Name Changes
Terminations
Leave of Absences
Deaths
New Firefighters – designated section at end of form
Fire Chief completes certification and returns to PERA. If the form contains new firefighters, contact PERA’s SVF Team on methods to send back securely.
Corrections to Prior Year Service
If a fire chief determines they need to retroactively correct or adjust a volunteer firefighter’s previously certified service credit, complete and submit to PERA an attestation documenting the corrections or adjustments.
