Council Members Evan Glass and Sidney Katz introduced legislation Tuesday to provide financial assistance to the families of county career firefighters who die in the line of duty.
Known as the HERO Act, the bill provides a monthly pension to the surviving spouse and children equivalent to what they would have received if their loved one had served 20 years, regardless of how long the deceased firefighter actually served. It also would fast track paperwork so that the family would begin receiving benefits within 60 days.
Master Firefighter Christopher Higgins, a 23-year veteran of the Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service, died Jan. 11 while fighting a house fire in Burtonsville. His widow, Lisa, did not begin receiving his pension until June.
Glass said he is sponsoring this legislation so no other firefighter’s family has to go through what the Higgins family has, wondering if they could pay their bills while dealing with immense grief.
“We need to be there for them and their family,” Glass said. “It is our hope that this legislation never be needed,” he added.
Lisa Higgins choked up as she spoke briefly at Tuesday’s press conference about the HERO Act. “I wouldn’t wish this journey upon anyone,” she said as she thanked everyone who helped this legislation be introduced.
Captain Scott Knitter, Higgins’ supervisor, said, “Chris was one of the most dedicated firefighters I’ve ever had the honor to work with. His passing revealed a painful gap that no family should ever have to face. The HERO Act ensures that all families will have the support and security they deserve. It’s a powerful way to honor Chris’s legacy and the service of every firefighter who puts their life on the line.”
When the introduction of the legislation was approved during Tuesday’s council meeting, Glass stated, “We have to ensure that their loved ones are taken care [of] just as they have taken care of us.”
“The very least we can do is to make sure their families are protected,” added Katz.
Council President Kate Stewart and Council Members Andrew Friedson, Marilyn Balcomb, Natali Fani-González, Dawn Luedtke, Gabe Albornoz, Kristen Mink, Laurie-Anne Sayles asked to cosponsor the legislation, thereby assuring its passage.
When announcing Higgin’s death back in January, Fire Chief Corey Smedley called Higgins “a family man” who loved his wife and two children as well as his fellow emergency personnel.
“Chris, as I understand was a pretty quiet guy, but he was a serious guy about his work. Not only was he a mentor here in the department, it was in his blood to serve his community,” Smedley said.
Higgins, of Pasadena, Md., was part of the crew that responded to a house fire on Bradford Drive in Laurel. He was the driver of the first ladder truck to arrive on the scene. While actively fighting the fire, Higgins suffered “some kind of medical emergency,” Smedley said.
The incident “occurred as he was throwing ladders to the structure,” according to MCFR.
CPR was performed at the scene before Higgins was transferred to Adventist Healthcare White Oak Medical Center. He was pronounced dead at the Silver Spring hospital.
Before the HERO Act is adopted, a council committee will review the legislation, and a public hearing will be held Nov. 18 at 1:30 p.m.
