Assemblymen Neil M. Cohen & Upendra Chivukula

COHEN/CHIVUKULA SEEK IMPROVED BENEFITS FOR SURVIVORS OF FALLEN NJ VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTERS
'Kevin's Law' Would Provide for Families of NJ's Bravest

(ROSELLE) - Following the tragic death of a volunteer firefighter in Somerset County last week, Assemblymen Neil M. Cohen and Upendra Chivukula announced today that they are crafting legislation to improve the benefits offered to the surviving families of volunteer firefighters killed in the line of duty.ASSEMBLY DEMOCRATS
NEWS RELEASE

FOR RELEASE:
April 19, 2006

CONTACT:
Assemblyman Cohen
(908) 624-0880
Assemblyman Chivukula
(732) 247-3999
James Sverapa IV
(609) 292-7065

COHEN/CHIVUKULA SEEK IMPROVED BENEFITS FOR SURVIVORS OF FALLEN NJ VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTERS
'Kevin's Law' Would Provide for Families of NJ's Bravest

(ROSELLE) - Following the tragic death of a volunteer firefighter in Somerset County last week, Assemblymen Neil M. Cohen and Upendra Chivukula announced today that they are crafting legislation to improve the benefits offered to the surviving families of volunteer firefighters killed in the line of duty.

"These men and women put their lives on the line every day simply because they believe it's the right thing to do," said Cohen (D-Union). "We have a responsibility to ensure that, if they make the ultimate sacrifice, their families do not suffer for their selflessness."

The need for this legislation became apparent last week, when Franklin Township volunteer firefighter Kevin Apuzzio was killed in the line of duty while attempting to save the life of a 75-year-old woman trapped inside her burning home. Apuzzio, 21, was the first member of the East Franklin Township Volunteer Fire Company to die in the line of duty since its inception in July of 1929. Apuzzio's funeral was held yesterday in Union Township, Union County, where he grew up and where he began serving as an ambulance service volunteer at age 16.

"First responders, including volunteer firefighters, are the first and sometimes only line of defense in many New Jersey communities," said Chivukula (D-Somerset). "Their families deserve to know that while their spouses and loved ones are out there taking care of us, we will be able to take care of them if the unthinkable should happen."

Current law gives municipalities served by volunteer fire companies the option of providing a survivor's pension to the widow or widower, surviving children or surviving parents on a case-by-case basis. An eligible widow or widower receives $15,000 annually, transferable upon death to the surviving children; the surviving children receive $10,000 annually if the widow or widower remarries; and if no surviving family is left behind, the parents of the fallen firefighter receive $5,000 annually.

Under Cohen and Chivukula's proposed legislation, the pension amounts paid to eligible surviving family members would double - from $15,000 to $30,000 annually for widows or widowers, from $10,000 to $20,000 annually for surviving children, and $5,000 to $10,000 annually for parents.

The measure, dubbed "Kevin's Law" in honor of Apuzzio, also would require municipalities served by a volunteer fire company to carry a $250,000 life insurance policy and extend municipal health benefits to every member of the fire company.

According to Cohen and Chivukula, the cost for providing these expanded services would either be borne by the municipalities or could possibly be defrayed by a $1 surcharge on all fire code inspections throughout the state.

"Our whole community will continue to mourn the loss of Kevin Apuzzio," said Chivukula, a former Franklin Township mayor. "But it is our hope that his heroic sacrifice will be commemorated in legislation designed to better protect and provide for his fellow firefighters."

"Volunteer firefighters are just that - firefighters," said Cohen. "If the dangers they face and the people they rescue don't make a distinction, why should the law?"

Cohen and Chivukula said the legislation they are crafting should be ready for introduction when the Legislature returns in early May from its annual budget-review break.

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