News Release - U.S. Senate Passes Etheridge's Hometown Heroes Legislation for Firefighters, Police

News Release
Congressman Bob Etheridge
North Carolina

May 16, 2003

Contact: Sara Lang
Phone: (202) 225-4531

U.S. Senate Passes Etheridge's Hometown Heroes Legislation for Firefighters, Police

WASHINGTON - As the nation commemorates National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Week, the U.S. Senate last night unanimously passed the companion bill to U.S. Rep. Bob Etheridge's (D-Lillington) Hometown Heroes Survivor Benefits Act. The legislation extends federal benefits to public safety officers, including police officers, firefighters and other first responders, who die of heart attack or stroke while on duty. Heart attacks and strokes represent a significant risk among public safety officers, accounting for nearly half of firefighter deaths each year.

"This is great news! During this week when we pause to honor our fallen law enforcement officers, I am very pleased that the Senate has taken this action on behalf of our hometown heroes, who sacrifice so much for our communities," Etheridge said. "This bill is about doing the right thing for the folks that we depend on day in and day out. Our police officers, firefighters and emergency workers deserve our gratitude and support."

This legislation is rooted in North Carolina, born out of a letter written to Etheridge by Mike Williams of Bunnlevel, who works as the assistant chief of Flat Branch Volunteer Fire Department and in the Office of the State Fire Marshal, and inspired by the death of a North Carolina firefighter. Williams wrote to Etheridge about the story of the late Thomas Earl Brooks, a Lumberton firefighter who died of a heart attack on January 31st whose family was denied federal benefits.

The current federal Public Safety Officers Benefits Program provides financial assistance to families of public safety officers (police, fire and EMS) killed in the line of duty, as well as to officers permanently disabled while on the job. Unfortunately, in almost every incidence of death by heart attack or stroke, it is ruled that the heart attack or stroke was not a direct result of an injury sustained in the line of duty and the family receives no benefits even though the deaths were clearly triggered by the rigors of the job. The Etheridge bill would correct that deficiency in the law.

"Our local first responders are our first line of defense in the war against terrorism, and this bill makes sure their families are covered should they make the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty," Etheridge said.

Etheridge's bill has been endorsed by the Fraternal Order of Police, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, the International Union of Police Associations and the Congressional Fire Services Institute. The U.S. House of Representatives may consider the Etheridge bill as soon as next month.

Click here to read a summary of the Hometown Heroes Survivor Benefits Act.