On the recordFebruary 14, 2011
Our amendment closes a gap in our Public Safety Officers Benefits Act for emergency service providers by extending Federal benefits to emergency service providers who die or are disabled in the line of duty and who work for private, nonprofit emergency services organizations. A tragedy in Vermont 2 years ago highlighted this issue. First responder Dale Long from Bennington, VT, was Bennington Rescue Squad's 2008 EMT of the Year and a 2009 recipient of the American Ambulance Association's Star of Life Award. Shortly after that ceremony, he was killed in the line of duty. Given the private, nonprofit status of his ambulance service, he is ineligible for Federal death benefits. The Judiciary Committee--all Republicans, all Democrats--unanimously approved this legislation last Congress. The Leahy-Inhofe amendment is fully paid through an included offset. We ought to be doing something to protect the people who are out there trying to rescue or aid people in distress.
