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DOJ Proposes Rules Making to PSOBs
The Public Safety Officers Benefits have been the target of many discussions and especially where a fatal heart attack occurred.
We have all read and heard the stories of widows being denied benefits because their spouse suffered a heart attack while on duty or shortly after returning home from their duty.
It seems that "ambiguity" exists in these rules so that the Director has wiggle room, if you will, to deny or accept the claim for benefits.
The proposed changes, on the one hand, narrows that somewhat, but on the other hand, leaves to the imagination some of the other circumstances.
I received notification from the Congressional Fire Service Institute on this impending and important rules making proposal.
I have attached a link that summarizes those recommended changes:
http://www.cfsi.org/pdf/CFSI_Analysis_Memo_on_PSOB_Proposed_Changes...
Chief Billy G has also got it at thesecretlist.
TCSS.
Art
We have all read and heard the stories of widows being denied benefits because their spouse suffered a heart attack while on duty or shortly after returning home from their duty.
It seems that "ambiguity" exists in these rules so that the Director has wiggle room, if you will, to deny or accept the claim for benefits.
The proposed changes, on the one hand, narrows that somewhat, but on the other hand, leaves to the imagination some of the other circumstances.
I received notification from the Congressional Fire Service Institute on this impending and important rules making proposal.
I have attached a link that summarizes those recommended changes:
http://www.cfsi.org/pdf/CFSI_Analysis_Memo_on_PSOB_Proposed_Changes...
Chief Billy G has also got it at thesecretlist.
TCSS.
Art
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Mike Schlags (Captain Busy) Retd on
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Art, Simply put, the CFSI Analysis chips away at the very obvious attempt to use "weasel" language throughout the draft. If the authors are really serious about looking after firefighters and their families, then they need to figure out something very important.
As we speak, the requirements to maintain competency as a firefighter for myself are getting more and more complicated, so much that all the volunteer fire departments have had to close shop and have the county take over providing fire protection. I can't even imagine how someone who works in his or her community, doing a totally different job, maintains proficiency without dedicating their lives to the cause. This is my viewpoint of volunteer firefighters. I may do it as a full time career but the volunteers that I have met do if for the love of the family and community and without the benefits. You just can't get any nobler than that.
As if the fire service didn't need any more impacts, liability concerns alone have forced local volunteer fire departments to close, not to mention financing issues which don't look like they are going to get any better.
Couple these concerns with folks out there making the decision to not risk their lives if the jurisdictions won't take care of their families in the event of their passing. Fewer volunteer firefighters will certainly have an impact on the ISO ratings and available fire protection services. Insurance companies should be on this, hand in hand with the firefighters to ensure that they are afforded benefits should a line of duty death occur. To not do so will have a significant impact on things that are not a problem now but sure would be if no one is there to answer the call...
TCSS,
Mike
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