Fitzpatrick Announces Legislation to Help Families of First Responders

Congressman Mike Fitzpatrick joined Bethann McIntosh on Friday to announce the introduction of H.R. 1668, the Danny McIntosh Emergency Medical Service Providers Protection Act. 

According to a release, the Act, named for Bethann’s husband, Danny, would extend Public Safety Officer Benefits to the families of volunteer emergency service personnel who die in the line of duty.  Current federal law limits these benefits only to emergency service personnel employed by governmental units.

“The promise of America is equal protection under the law,” said Fitzpatrick.  “Families of emergency services personnel should not be denied protection simply because their loved one didn’t collect a paycheck in the service of their community.  This legislation seeks to take care of those who take care of us.”

In order to help the families of fallen emergency personnel the federal PSOB program was created in the 1970s to provide benefits to the families of police, firefighters and medics who die or become disabled in the line of duty.  However, current law limits these benefits only to those emergency personnel who are employed by governmental units. Volunteers are excluded.

“The recognition of Danny and this legislation means so much to me and my daughters,” said Bethann McIntosh. “I hope it will prevent families like mine from suffering a second devastation after the loss of a loved one in the line of duty.”

Danny McIntosh was a 13-year veteran of the Bensalem Emergency Medical Services.  He was a volunteer firefighter for the Point Pleasant Fire Company and had achieved Life member status.  He was a member of the Nottingham Fire Department, a Medic for the Bucks County Southern SWAT Team and the Bucks County Hazardous Material SWAT Team.

On a cold night in March of 2010, Daniel McIntosh and his partner Paramedic Mike Armstrong responded to a 911 call from the family of a suicidal male in Bensalem.  Upon their arrival, they located a subject and his family and attempted to engage this male in conversation.  The male initially cooperated and responded to Danny's questions, then for unknown reasons, this mentally unstable male fled on foot.  Danny knew that the male was not only a danger to himself but to innocent members of the community.  Danny immediately gave chase and eventually caught up to the male.  However, at that time, Danny suffered a massive heart attack and passed away a short time later.  Danny was only 39 years old at the time of his death and left behind a widow and two children.