Ledyard— U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney announced today that he will introduce legislation this week to extend public safety officer death benefits to fire police.

Fire police are designated members of a fire department who mainly control traffic around a fire scene and help set up equipment. Because there is no uniform national designation for fire police, many of these public servants have trouble accessing benefits that other public safety officers receive, according to Courtney’s office.

Courtney, D-2nd District, was joined by firefighters, fire police and other first responders at the Gales Ferry Fire Department for the announcement this morning.

“In towns across eastern Connecticut, fire police are first on the scene right along with police, fire fighters and EMTs,” Courtney said in a statement. “If, God forbid, they are injured or killed in service to their community, it is only right that they receive the same benefits as other public safety officers. This bill would cut through bureaucratic red tape and ensure that fire police get the benefits they earn and deserve.”

The legislation would ensure equal treatment of fire police within the Public Safety Officer’s Benefit program, clarifying their eligibility for benefits if they are killed or become disabled as a result or injuries sustained in the line of duty.

Gales Ferry Fire Chief Tony Saccone, who brought the issue to Courtney’s attention, said the benefit program “doesn’t recognize a fire policeman who daily puts his life on the line directing traffic away from emergencies.”

The bill already has two co-sponsors, reps. John Larson, D-Conn., and Betty Sutton, D-Ohio.