President Barack Obama has signed a law named after a Vermont ambulance driver who died on duty that will extend to all paramedics the benefits given to police, firefighters and medics who are killed or disabled while working.
The "Dale Long Act" pushed by Sen. Patrick Leahy is designed to remedy coverage gaps in a federal program that provides a crucial safety net for the families of first responders who are killed or permanently disabled in the line of duty.
The program was created more than three decades ago, but only public safety officers were eligible. Dale Long of Bennington was working for a non-profit when he was killed in June 2009.
The Dale Long Act was part of a defense authorization that was signed by the president on Wednesday.