Letter to Denise O'Donnell, Director Bureau of Justice Assistance - Permanently Disabled Volunteer Firefighters And Survivor Families Can Be Denied Federal Benefits Under Current Rules

Letter

Ms. Denise E. O'Donnell
Director
Bureau of Justice Assistance
U.S. Department of Justice
810 Seventh Street, N.W.
Washington, District of Columbia 20531

Dear Ms. O'Donnell,

We write regarding the eligibility of certain volunteer firefighters and their families to receive benefits under the Public Safety Officers' Benefits Act (PSOBA). It has come to our attention that fire police in Pennsylvania, Connecticut and elsewhere have been denied benefits under this program, an exception that appears at odds with congressional intent. We urge the Bureau to revise the regulations defining a firefighter in order to provide fire police with the same benefits provided to other first responders.

As you know, the Public Safety Officers' Benefits Act provides death and education benefits to survivors of fallen law enforcement officers, firefighters, and other first responders. It also provides critical support to fallen public safety officers who become permanently disabled due to injuries sustained in the line of duty. Whereas the 1976 law defined a firefighter as any individual serving in an officially recognized volunteer fire department, subsequent regulations required that eligible individuals engage in direct fire suppression. Fire Police officers may not directly put water on fires, but they play an invaluable role in responding to emergency calls, controlling traffic and managing the scene of an incident.

Like other public safety officers, fire police risk their lives as they work to make others safe, and these officers and their families deserve the peace of mind offered by the Public Safety Officers' Benefits program. We respectfully urge you to implement regulations clarifying that fire suppression activities can consist of support services, including but not limited to scene management activities and traffic control. Thank you for your consideration of this matter.

Sincerely,

Robert P. Casey, Jr. Richard Blumenthal

United States Senator United States Senator

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