New Law Provides Assistance to Families of First Responders Impacted by COVID-19
Recently passed legislation, the Safeguarding America’s First Responders Act of 2020, would improve financial assistance to families of first responders and public safety officers impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. A press release announcing the passage of this new law reported that the International Association of Fire Chiefs estimated that more than 13,000 firefighters and other first responders have been exposed to COVID-19 while on the job and, according to the Fraternal Order of Police, 164 police officers have died in the line of duty due to COVID-19 as of July 27, 2020.
In the aforementioned release, Chief Gary Ludwig, President and Chairman of the Board of the International Association of Fire Chiefs, stressed the importance of protecting first responders. Ludwig said, “Every day, first responders are risking COVD-19 exposure as they serve their communities…should they make the ultimate sacrifice in service to their fellow citizens, they will rest assured that the nation will take care of their families.”
When the COVID-19 pandemic began, there was little doubt of the catastrophic impact it would have on first responders, police officers, and frontline workers. Stakeholders have emphasized the need to have safeguards in place for those who are in closest proximity to the pandemic and the need to have a system in place to support their families both emotionally and financially.
The Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association (FLEOA), a non-partisan group made up of over 28,000 federal law enforcement personnel, has worked closely with lawmakers on the passage of this law. In a press release issued in response to the signing of the law, FLEOA President Larry Cosme said, “Since the pandemic began, FLEOA has worked tirelessly and purposefully to ensure every law enforcement officer’s health needs have been prioritized and their families would be cared for. The signing of this bill into law ensures that families of frontline federal, state, and local law enforcement officers who succumb to COVID-19 are protected and provided for.”
This new law had bipartisan support. It was introduced in the Senate by Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and in the House by Representative Dave Joyce (R-OH) and passed both chambers by the end of July. The Safeguarding America’s First Responders Act creates a presumption that if a first responder is diagnosed with COVID-19 within 45 days of their last day on duty, the Department of Justice- which is leading the implementation of this law- will treat it as a line of duty incident. The presumption will:
Guarantee payment of benefits to any first responder who dies from COVID-19 or a complication therefrom;
Run from January 1, 2020 through December 31, 2021; and
Require a diagnosis of COVID-19 or evidence indicating that the officer had COVID-19 at the time of death. This covers officers in high impact areas where finding tests can be difficult.
The Safeguarding America's First Responders Act of 2020 was signed into law on August 14, 2020. Lead sponsor Congressman Joyce said in the aforementioned press release announcing the bill’s signing into law, “I was proud to introduce legislation to ensure their families are taken care of and should they fall victim to this deadly virus. I applaud my colleagues in Congress for working together to get this important bill passed and thank the President for signing it into law.”