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Congressional Fire Services Institute’s 2012 Webinar SeriesPRESENTATIONPUBLIC SAFETY OFFICERS’ BENEFITS PROGRAM:When A Firefighter Falls in the Line of Duty, PSOB Rises To Help the SurvivorsFeatured SpeakerHope JankeDirector of the PSOB OfficeBureau of Justice Assistance, U.S. Department of Justice
The Bottom LineWe remember our legislative history: PSOB assists in therecruitment and retention of qualified officers; establishesthe value communities place on the contributions of thosewilling to serve their communities in potentially dangerouscircumstances; and offers peace of mind to men andwomen seeking careers in public safety.We do everything possible to find a claim eligible accordingto the PSOB Act and regulations.We review every claim as quickly and respectfully aspossible to provide survivors with an outcome.
The PSOB ActAuthorizes federal benefitsfor survivors of public safetyofficers whose deaths werethe direct and proximateresult of an injury sustainedin line of duty.
Who’s CoveredIndividuals serving a public agency inan official capacity with or withoutcompensation as a law enforcementofficer (corrections, probation, parole,judicial officer); firefighter; public rescuesquad/ambulance crew member;disaster relief worker; police or firechaplain.
Public AgencyThe United States, any State of the U.S., theDistrict of Columbia, Commonwealth of PuertoRico, Virgin Islands of the U.S., Guam, AmericanSamoa, the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands,the Commonwealth of the Northern MarianaIslands, and any territory or possession of theU.S., or any unit of local government,department, agency, or instrumentality of any ofthe foregoing
FirefighterFirefighter means an individual who— (1) Is trained in— (i) Suppression of fire; or (ii) Hazardous-materials emergency response; and (2) Has the legal authority and -responsibility to engagein the suppression of fire, as— (i) An employee of the public agency he serves, whichlegally recognizes him to have such (or, at a minimum,does not deny (or has not denied) him to have such); or (ii) An individual otherwise included within the definitionprovided in the Act, at 42 U.S.C. 3796b(4).
Injury a traumatic physical wound (or physicalcondition of the body) caused by externalforce (bullets, explosives, sharpinstruments, blunt objects, physical blows);chemicals; electricity; climatic conditions;infectious disease; radiation; virii; orbacteria; but does not include anyoccupational disease or any condition ofthe body caused or occasioned by stressor strain.
Line of DutyAn injury is sustained in the line ofduty if sustained in the course ofperformance of line of duty activityor action; or authorized commuting;or convincing evidencedemonstrates that such injuryresulted from the injured party’sstatus as a public safety officer.
Hometown Heroes Act December 15, 2003 Presumption of a personal injury sustained in the line of duty Died as a result of a heart attack or stroke While engaging; while still on duty; not later than 24 hours after so engaging Situation / training involving nonroutine stressful or strenuous physical activity Not overcome by competent medical evidence to the contrary Nonroutine stressful or strenuous physical activities exclude actions of aclerical, administrative, or nonmanual nature
Death Program Benefits1976: Benefit set at 50,0001988: Increases to 100,0002001: USA Patriot Act increases to 250,0002012: Current benefit at 323,035.75*Benefit is based on the officer’s date of death.
Eligible BeneficiariesSeptember 11, 2001Surviving Spouse, No Eligible Children100% to spouseSurviving Spouse and Eligible Children50% to spouse50% divided equally among childrenNo Surviving Spouse but Eligible Children100% divided equally among childrenNo Surviving Spouse or Eligible ChildrenDesignated beneficiary; life insurance policy on fileNo Spouse, Children, Designee, Insurance Beneficiary50% to each surviving parent
Contact UsPublic Safety Officers’ Benefits OfficeBureau of Justice AssistanceOffice of Justice ProgramsU.S. Department of JusticeToll free: 888-744-6513Fax: 202-616-0314www.psob.govHope’s Direct Line: 202-307-2858Hope’s Email: hope.d.janke@usdoj.gov
Hope Janke . Director of the PSOB Office . Bureau of Justice Assistance, U.S. Department of Justice . We remember our legislative history: PSOB assists in the recruitment and retention of qualified officers; establishes the value communities place on the contributions of those
