The National Association of Retired Fire Fighters

NARF (The National Association of Retired Firefighters) was founded in 1968 to fight for conditions for former firefighters, their widows and families. The Association, which covers the whole of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, is divided into districts, each of which are made up of a number of local branches. Members normally join their local branch, however, if they wish, they can just join directly as an individual.

The Association actively promotes measures for welfare, companionship and social contacts, and attempts to maintain links between its members and serving Fire Service personnel. It is a member of the Public Services Pensioners Council, the Age Concern Forum, the National Council of Ageing, and the National Pensioners Convention, and also maintains a close working relationship with the Fire Services National Benevolent Fund.

Benefits of membership include 3 newsletters a year - each full of information, news, items of interest, and readers articles - advice on pensions, tax and benefits, savings on holidays and travel with TCI Direct, travel insurance with Travellers Direct Insurance, and motor and household insurance, financial advice and private medical insurance with Roland Smith Insurance Brokers and Financial Advisers.

Membership is open to all former uniformed personnel, whether wholetime or part time, who have retired or were discharged (other than on grounds of having committed an offence or misdemeanour) from fire brigades maintained by fire authorities in the United Kingdom under the Fire Services Act. Widows of firefighters or former firefighters are also eligible to join. The subscription is £2.00 per annum plus branch fees or £5.00 per annum for individual membership.

For more information, please contact Graham Bow, National Membership Secretary, Flat 14, Erdington Fire Station, Orphanage Road, Birmingham, West Midlands, B24 9HR (Tel: 0121 377 7306) (Email: retired.firefighters@wmfs.net).

Hampshire Branch

Are you about to retire or retired already, then why not maintain links with the Fire Service and become a member of the National Association of Retired Fire Fighters.

The Association exists solely to represent your interests in retirement.

Our main objectives are to maintain the fraternal spirit of Brigades, to help with information and advice on pensions and to assist in social and welfare activities. We also campaign on issues affecting member's pensions.

The Hampshire Branch of the Association has over 200 members and meet annually, usually at Fire Service Headquarters. Membership subscription is only £4 per year and this can be deducted from your April pension payment. Members elect a committee each year and we have representation at District and National level. The Association is a member of the Public Service Pensioners Council and the Age Concern Forum.

When you first retire you may feel your pension is adequate, particularly if another type of work is continued, but when illness or old age creeps up on you there is sense in being a member of an Association that will speak for your needs.

Why not join today.

Contact Terry Burton, Branch Secretary.