Indiana House approves legislation extending death benefits to EMS workers

STATEHOUSE – Members of the Indiana House of Representatives today approved legislation authored by State Rep. Karlee Macer (D-Indianapolis) that extends a special death benefit to emergency medical service (EMS) providers who die in the line of duty.

House Bill 1080 establishes the Public Safety Officer Special Death Benefit Fund. Benefits from the fund are paid in the amount of $150,000 to survivors and beneficiaries of EMS employees who die while carrying out job-related duties.

“Current state laws are unclear as to whether or not EMS providers are eligible for the death benefit like police and firefighters,” said Macer. “I think society may not be sufficiently informed on the dangerous challenges facing EMS workers. These individuals travel an uncertain pathway by putting their lives at risk in order to save the lives of others.”

EMS providers are seven times more likely to be killed in the line of duty than other public safety officers. Automobile wrecks and violent acts are huge contributing factors to this figure.