Crime & Safety

Courtney to Announce New Fire Police Legislation

Congressman Will Roll Out Proposal on Monday

Congressman Joe Courtney will join firefighters, fire police and other first responders Monday at the Gales Ferry Firehouse to announce new proposed legislation that would extend public safety officer death benefits to fire police.

The proposal is the result of a conversation last fall between the 2nd District Democrat and Gales Fire Fire Chief Anthony Saccone.

Saccone said an accident on Route 12 two years ago inspired him to contact Courtney’s office. At the accident scene, Larry Laflamme, a member of the Gales Ferry Fire Police, was directing traffic. Saccone said a motorist failed to heed officers at the scene and came close to hitting Laflamme.

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“Larry, who was 70 at the time, had to jump over a guard rail to keep from getting killed,” Saccone said. “And that got me thinking. He’s down here doing the same job I’m doing. If I get run over in the line of duty, my family would get a benefit. He would get jack.” 

That is because fire police, as they are called in Connecticut, are not covered under the federal Public Safety Officer’s Benefit (PSOB) program. Courtney’s bill would change that.

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"PSOB provides a one-time benefit to eligible survivors of public safety officers whose deaths were the direct and proximate result of an injury sustained in the line of duty. on or after Sept. 29, 1976," according to a release from Courtney's staff.

"It also provides a one-time benefit to eligible public safety officers who were permanently and totally disabled as a result of a catastrophic injury sustained in the line of duty on or after November 29, 1990. Injuries must permanently prevent officers from performing any gainful work in the future."

“Fire police are vital to emergency response operations. These individuals provide support to firefighters, police and EMTs by providing traffic duty and other basic support services,” Courney said in a release. Yet, inconsistencies from state to state have left many fire police ineligible for benefits under the PSOB program.

“With that in mind, I will be introducing legislation to ensure fair treatment of fire police within the PSOB program. This legislation will allow the families of Fire Police officers to be eligible for those same benefits,” Courtney said.

The press conference will begin at 10 a.m. State Rep. Tom Reynolds, D-42nd, and Ledyard Mayor Fred B. Allyn Jr. are expected to be among those in attendance.


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