Proposed bill would provide options for families of fallen Montgomery Co. firefighters

Lisa Higgins the widow of a Montgomery County Maryland firefighter who died in the line of duty in January had to wait months before she and her two children saw the first of the survivors benefits they were entitled to under county law Two council members want to change that so no grieving family has to face hardship after their loss Inspired by fallen firefighter -year-old Lt Christopher Higgins Montgomery County Council members Evan Glass and Sidney Katz introduced the HERO Act at Tuesday s council meeting Higgins who was posthumously granted the rank of lieutenant died while fighting a fire in Laurel in January According to Glass office if a career firefighter dies in the line of duty their spouse would receive a disability benefit equal to at least of the firefighter s salary If the firefighter was eligible for retirement at the time of death that spouse could receive a joint and survivor pension The proposed bill would not take away those options but would provide a third Glass announced The HERO Act expands the existing survivor benefits so that spouses and children of firefighters who die in the line of duty can receive the equivalent of a -year pension regardless of how long they served Glass announced Glass also explained the bill would expedite the process so that families don t face delays I would not wish this journey upon anyone and I just appreciate what everyone s doing to backing my children and myself Lisa disclosed during a news conference announcing the act Lt Michael Moore spoke of the loss felt by the department when Christopher Higgins died The pain of that day didn t stop at the firehouse doors Referring to the Higgins family Moore noted They lost a husband a father a mentor a son and a brother Lt Scott Kitner the captain of the Burtonsville Fire Station where Higgins worked declared the passage of the HERO Act would ensure surviving spouses aren t left waiting for benefits and aren t burdened with years of paperwork For families who lose a loved one in the line of duty Montgomery County Fire Chief Corey Smedley revealed Even after the crisis is over that doesn t stop the suffering Council member Katz explained he expected the council to act on the bill as swiftly as practicable Glass agreed saying Once it becomes law which I anticipate it will it takes effect at once The measure applies to career firefighters only but Glass office indicated that expanding the law to include police and volunteer firefighters could be considered Source