Proposed legislation that would help extend death benefits to relatives of a Vermont paramedic has the support of his community’s select board.
The Bennington Select Board unanimously approved a motion Monday to draft a letter to help Dale Long, a Bennington Rescue paramedic who died in an ambulance crash on June 15.
Long’s family can’t receive benefits under the federal Public Safety Officers Benefits program. Long worked for a nonprofit ambulance service.
The Bennington Banner reports Bennington Rescue Executive Director Bill Hathaway said a provision in the law may allow Long<s family to receive benefits with certain documentation.
Vermont Sens. Patrick Leahy and Bernie Sanders are working to extend the benefits law governing the benefits program to extend beyond only federal, state or local government rescue services.