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Congressional Fire Services Institute/International Association of Arson Investigators/International Association of Fire Chiefs/International Association of Fire Fighters/National Fire Protection Association/National Volunteer Fire Council/ North American Fire Training Directors October 9, 2002 Dear Congressman Etheridge:     We are writing on behalf of the fire service organizations we represent in support of H.R. 5334, the Hometown Heroes Survivor Benefits Act of 2002.     The tragic events of the past year have renewed America's admiration for firefighters and the work they do. Firefighters know their jobs are dangerous, yet they put their lives on the line everyday for our communities because of their dedication to service. For twenty-five years, our nation's firefighters have responded to fires and emergencies with the knowledge that their loved ones would be cared for should they lose their lives while performing their duties.     As you know, Congress created the Public Safety Officer Benefit to provide the survivors of firefighters, and other public safety officers, who are killed while on duty with a one-time financial benefit. However, a technicality in the law denies the families of firefighters who suffer a fatal heart attack or stroke from receiving this assistance. Unfortunately, firefighting families are disproportionately affected by this technicality as heart attacks and strokes cause half of all firefighter deaths in the line of duty.     We are pleased to support H.R. 5334, the Hometown Heroes Survivors Benefit Act of 2002 because it provides this benefit to the families of public safety officers who have died from a heart attack or stroke while on duty or within 24-hours after participating in a training exercise or responding to an emergency situation.     Thank you for introducing this important legislation on behalf of our nation's firefighters and their families. We look forward to working with you to pass H.R. 5334 into law. Sincerely, Congressional Fire Services Institute International Association of Arson Investigators International Association of Fire Chiefs International Association of Fire Fighters National Fire Protection Association National Volunteer Fire Council North American Fire Training Directors NAFTD P.O. Box 80065 Washington, D.C. 20018 naftd@fsi.illinois.edu