As it nears the one-year mark since a local firefighter died in the line of duty, a bill was signed Monday to make sure surviving families get financial support faster.
Master Firefighter Christopher Higgins was with the Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service for 23 years. He had worked with the Burtonsville Volunteer Fire Department since 2015. He died this Jan. 11 while fighting a house fire.
His widow Lisa Higgins and their two children did not start getting his pension until months later in June.
“Over the last year, Montgomery County did not do everything it should have to provide for Christopher Higgins’ family,” said Councilmember Evan Glass during the bill signing ceremony at Higgins’ fire station in Burtonsville. Glass and Councilmember Sidney Katz sponsored the bill, which the council approved unanimously this month.
MCFRS Capt. Scott Kitner of the Burtonsville station on Old Columbia Pike explained that when a firefighter died in the line of duty, they were retired on disability retirement. This status requires a lot of documentation like a death certificate in order to get benefits. “So you’re almost at the Medical Examiner’s mercy on how long it took them to provide the documentation.” This bill corrects those shortfalls.
County Executive Marc Elrich called it a “broken process.” Right now, families face long waits and limited options when a firefighter dies in the line of duty, he said Monday before he signed the bill. The bill adds a third benefit option and makes sure families of the fallen get support “without delays or red tape.”
“In this season of giving, there is no better gift to the first responders of Montgomery County than the peace of mind knowing that legislation has passed to ensure the security of their spouse and children should they perish in the line of duty,” said Lisa Higgins.
“Since Chris’s passing, we have all struggled to find what is supposed to be the new daily norm,” said Kitner. He said the legislation is “a fitting tribute to Chris’s legacy.”
County Fire Chief Corey Smedley hailed the bill as “an example of the confidence when a tragic event happens, that the family members can rely on the government and they can rely on the department.”
The legislation applies to MCFRS. Councilmember Dawn Luedtke added an amendment to include the police department in these benefits. Glass said legislation is currently being drafted to include more front-line workers, like those who work in correctional facilities.
Glass added, “We hope the HERO Act never has to be used.”
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