Cochrane families can now rest assured that there will be a form of compensation should their loved one working in public safety die in the line of duty.
For the first time in Canada, families of fallen employees in emergency services will receive a death benefit through the Memorial Grant Program for First Responders.
Each family who loses a loved one working in a public safety role, including firefighters, police officers and paramedics, will receive a one time, tax-free $300,000.
This comes after 24 years of lobbying by International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) members.
Alberta Fire Fighters’ Association (AFFA) who have been helping lobby for it through IAFF for years welcomes the benefit.
“It’s been in the United States for a number of years now and we felt it was important that our members were taken care of,” said Brad Readman, AFFA secretary.
There were 92 police and fire firefighter deaths recognized in the last two years in Canada; 47 in 2016 and 45 in 2017, according to AFFA.
Readman said it will also apply to firefighters whose deaths were caused by cancers, cardiac complications and other conditions.
“If a firefighter dies because of one of those causes, it’s considered a line of duty and therefore will be considered to the benefit,” Readman said.
Ralph Goodale, minister of public safety and emergency preparedness, championed the initiative in Canada.
“Firefighters, police officers and paramedics put their own lives at risk to keep us all safe. When their work leads to the ultimate sacrifice, their families deserve our support in return,” said Scott Bardsley, the minister’s press secretary.
The allocated funds for the benefit program was a commitment made by liberals in the 2015 federal election.
The government has committed a total of $117.4 million over five years, starting in 2018–2019, and $23.4 million per year after that.
