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October 9, 2002
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. The jobs of our firefighters are dangerous and stressful, 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 recognizes and corrects this technicality in the law. Specifically, H.R. 5334 would provide 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.
On behalf of our nation's firefighters and their families, we urge you to cosponsor this important legislation. Please contact Jake Parker with Rep. Bob Etheridge at 5-4531 or Sean Carroll with the Congressional Fire Services Institute at (202) 371-1277 to sign on to H.R. 5334. We appreciate your support for this legislation, and look forward to working with you to pass H.R. 5334 into law.
Dear Congressman Etheridge:
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