Stack Applauds Passage of Bill for First Responders’ Families

HARRISBURG, AUG. 26, 2009 — The Pennsylvania Senate today unanimously approved legislation that would ensure that the families of public safety employees killed in the line of duty receive death benefits.

“Every day, families watch their loved ones leave for work, never knowing if they’ll come home,” Stack said. “Our police officers, firefighters and emergency personnel are put into dangerous and deadly situations all the time, and yet they continue to serve our communities with dedication and valor, and that’s why it’s so important that they have the peace of mind of knowing that their spouses and children will be taken care of, in the event of their untimely death.”

Senate Bill 369 would guarantee killed-in-service-death benefits to all spouses or minor children of a paid law enforcement officer, firefighter and ambulance service or rescue squad member equal to the amount of the decedent’s monthly salary.

Under current law, pension and workers’ compensation payments now provide death benefits that cover a portion of the salaries of troopers, officers, firefighters and emergency personnel in Philadelphia. Under the new measure, the state would pick up the remaining share.

“Our emergency workers deserve our utmost respect and gratitude, and this is one way that Pennsylvania can ensure that their families are taken care of,” Stack said. “It’s the very least that we can do to take care of family members of the courageous first responders killed in the line of duty.”

The bill now goes to the House of Representatives for consideration.

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