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Senator Pam Helming announced Wednesday that legislation she supported to increase benefits for families of police officers and career firefighters killed in the line of duty, was signed into law. This important legislation has long been a priority for law enforcement groups and the New York State Professional Fire Fighters Association.

"Our police officers and firefighters are heroes in every sense of the word. They leave their homes each and everyday, not knowing what challenges or dangers they will face. Their families provide them with critical support which allows them to take on these demanding jobs. Both they and their families deserve our respect and appreciation. Those who serve and protect us and their families need to know that we as a state stand behind them and appreciate all that they do. This legislation achieves that goal and I am proud to have been able to work with local first responders to get it signed into law." Helming said.

This legislation (S.3168-B) will provide a cost of living increase for the amount of special accidental death benefits that are paid to the widow or the children of a deceased police officer or firefighter. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), 87 firefighters in New York died in the line of duty between 2005-2015.

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