By Jason White 

Presently, HB 551, sponsored by Representative Tom Dempsey, is moving nicely through the Missouri General Assembly.  Your active email support for this bill on April 16 and 17 is needed!  Learn more at the end of the article. 

This legislation would provide a $100,000 payment to the family of a paramedic, EMT, air medical flight crew member, firefighter or law enforcement person who dies in the line of duty.

There is also a stipulation providing for a $10,000 burial benefit, but the current language does not include paramedics, EMT’s or air medical staff.  This is a drafting oversight we are seeking to correct as the bill moves through the process.

The Missouri State Council of Firefighters has been working with legislators to draft and move this bill through the process.  Missouri Emergency Medical Services Association (MEMSA), Ambulance District Association of Missouri (ADAM) and Missouri Ambulance Association (MAA) have been testifying in support of this legislation and assisting the State Council with the bill. 

It is estimated that seven EMS, fire or law enforcement fatalities occur each year in the Missouri.  Thus, officials calculate the state’s annual cost for the death benefit program to be under $800,000 a year – a relatively small price to pay when considering the assistance this money would provide a family that has lost a loved one who died while providing a public service to the state. 

The legislation covers EMS personnel no matter whether they work for public or private agencies.  The community service provided is the measure of qualification. HB 551 has passed in the House of Representatives and will be heard April 17 in a senate committee.   

Now is certainly the time to email your state senator indicating your encouragement of their support for HB 551! 

Click here for the online list of Missouri senators – (scroll down) click the name of your senator to see contact information including an email button which is found to the right of their photos.

Also, please forward this story to as many Missouri EMS, fire and law enforcement people as you can.  (See the email icon at the top right of this article). 

The EMS job is tough, sometimes dangerous and rarely overpaid.  For many of us, EMS is a volunteer service we provide to our communities.  For this service, the extra protection of a state death benefit for one’s family is a much needed and very valuable program. 

Email  This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it  for questions regarding HB 551.