Platts Introduces Series of Bills Designed to Help Firefighters and Other First Responders

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Congressman Todd Platts (R-PA-19) recently sponsored three pieces of legislation aimed at supporting firefighters and other first responders who risk their lives each day for their communities and fellow citizens.  All three bills are being reintroduced from the 110th Congress.

The Federal Firefighters Fairness Act of 2009 (H.R. 948), introduced by Congresswoman Lois Capps (D-CA) and Congressman Platts, would ensure that federal firefighters receive the same access to job-related disability and retirement benefits as state, county and municipal firefighters. The Officer Daniel Faulkner Children of Fallen Heroes Scholarship Act of 2009 (H.R. 959), introduced by Congressman Patrick Murphy (D-PA) and Congressman Platts, would offer financial assistance for higher education to the children of police officers, firefighters, and other first responders who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.  The Volunteer Firefighter Tax Relief Act of 2009 (H.R. 343) would give a tax deduction to volunteer firefighters to be used for the purchase of personal safety clothing needed when performing fire fighting services.

The Federal Firefighters Fairness Act of 2009

“Everyday firefighters put their lives on the line to protect people’s lives and property,” said Congresswoman Capps.  “We should honor federal firefighter’s commitment to our safety and security with the same access to disability benefits as our brave state, county and municipal firefighters receive.  Fires make no distinction between a federal, state or municipal firefighter and neither should restrictions that govern access to benefits earned by firefighters in the course of their service.  Our legislation corrects this injustice and I hope it quickly becomes law.” 

“Firefighters who work at federal facilities are routinely exposed to the same toxic substances, biohazards and temperature extremes on the job as their civilian counterparts – often resulting in job-related disabilities.  Yet the burden of proof for federal firefighters to prove such illnesses is extraordinarily high,” said Congressman Platts.  “This legislation would address this inequity and give the brave men and women who risk their lives to save others as federal firefighters the rights they deserve.”

Federal firefighters are regularly exposed to injury, disease and stress while protecting our national interests at military installations, nuclear facilities, VA hospitals and other federal facilities.  Numerous studies have found heart disease, lung disease, certain cancers, and other infectious diseases to be occupational hazards of firefighting.  Unfortunately, federal firefighters are currently required to pinpoint the precise incident or exposure that caused a disease in order for it to be considered job-related.  This burden of proof is extraordinarily difficult for firefighters to meet because they work in such a wide variety of environments and conditions. 

Forty states (including Pennsylvania) have recognized the link between certain serious diseases and the occupational hazards of firefighting and moved to protect their local firefighters by enacting “presumptive disability” laws, which presume that heart disease, lung disease, certain cancers, and other infectious diseases are job-related for purposes of workers compensation and disability retirement unless proven otherwise.  The Federal Firefighters Fairness Act would extend a similar protection by creating the presumption that federal firefighters who become disabled by heart disease, lung disease, certain cancers, and other infectious diseases contracted the illness on the job.  Federal firefighters are currently denied this right that a large majority of local, county and state firefighters already enjoy.

The Officer Daniel Faulkner Children of Fallen Heroes Scholarship Act of 2009

The Officer Daniel Faulkner Children of Fallen Heroes Scholarship Act of 2009 would offer financial assistance for higher education to the children of police officers, firefighters, and other first responders who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty. 

Under the bill, a child of one of these fallen heroes would become automatically eligible for the maximum level Pell Grant available.  The maximum grant award is now $5,400 after it was increased by the College Cost Reduction and Access Act.  The Officer Daniel Faulkner Children of Fallen Heroes Act would waive the income eligibility requirements for all children of fallen first responders and provide them access to the full $5,400 award.

This legislation was inspired by the heroic service of Philadelphia Police Officer Daniel Faulkner.  Danny Faulkner earned his high school diploma and an Associates Degree in Criminal Justice while serving in the Army as a young man.  Upon fulfilling his military service, he returned home to become a corrections officer and in 1975 he achieved his dream of joining the Philadelphia Police Department. At the time of his death he was working toward his Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice, hoping to work in the District Attorney’s Office as a prosecutor.  On December 8, 1981, just shy of his 26th birthday, Danny Faulkner’s life was tragically cut short when he was murdered during a routine traffic stop. 

The Volunteer Firefighter Tax Relief Act of 2009

The Volunteer Firefighter Tax Relief Act would give a tax deduction to volunteer firefighters to be used for the purchase of personal safety clothing needed when performing fire fighting services.

“One of the greatest challenges facing 19th District fire and emergency service departments is the recruitment and retention of adequate personnel,” said Congressman Platts.  “I strongly commend these citizens who risk their own safety to protect and serve our communities. These courageous and dedicated first responders have earned our deepest respect and gratitude.”

 The Federal Firefighters Fairness Act of 2009 is pending in the House Education and Labor Committee; the Officer Daniel Faulkner Children of Fallen Heroes Scholarship Act of 2009 is pending in the House Education and Labor and Judiciary Committees; and the Volunteer Firefighter Tax Relief Act of 2009 is pending in the House Ways and Means Committee.  Congressman Platts is a member of the Congressional Fire Services Caucus.