Pa. Congressman Wants Death Benefits Extended To EMS, Fire Volunteers
BENSALEM, Pa. (CBS) - The untimely death of a volunteer first responder while he was on the job last year in Bensalem has prompted a local US congressman to try to close a loophole in the law that could have benefited his family.
US Rep. Michael Fitzpatrick (R-Bucks County, at lectern in photo) is calling on Congress to pass his legislation that would extend benefits currently given to police, firefighters, and medics to volunteers.
Under the current law, those benefits only go to emergency personnel employed by governmental units.
Fitzpatrick's legislation is named in honor of Danny McIntosh, who died of a massive heart attack on the job last year. He left behind two young children and his wife, Bethann (at left in photo).
"You know, to alleviate some of the burden of raising children on your own and to keep my husband's memory alive, and the help that it could bring to families in the future if they ever have to deal with this," she said of Fitzpatrick's effort.
Fitzpatrick says McIntosh's commitment to his community never wavered, and he says the community's commitment to him and his family should never waver either.
Reported by Brad Segall, KYW Newsradio 1060
