DENVER — Families of Colorado seasonal wildland firefighters who die in the line of duty will get a $10,000 payment to help with funeral costs and other expenses under a new law.
The Associated Press reported that Democratic Gov. John Hickenlooper signed the bipartisan-sponsored bill Thursday.
Seasonal wildland firefighters, who are temporary employees of state and local agencies, generally don’t receive any health or insurance benefits.
The federal government provides death benefits for state and local firefighters, including part-time firefighters. But Colorado lawmakers say the $10,000 payment is designed to immediately help surviving families while they wait for federal benefits, according to the report.
The legislation was inspired by the deaths of 19 firefighters at Arizona’s Yarnell Hill fire last year.