AUGUSTA - The Maine Legislature advanced a bill on Tuesday from Rep. Sue Salisbury, D-Westbrook, to support Maine's emergency responders and their loved ones by formally recognizing death by suicide as a death while in the line of duty for individuals working in emergency services.
According to the U.S. Fire Administration, public safety personnel are five times more likely to suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder and depression than those outside of the emergency response field, leading to higher rates of suicide among this population. More first responders die of suicide each year than those actively in the line of duty.
"Too many of our emergency responders regularly face traumatic situations where they are asked to perform at the highest level without adequate support or resources for dealing with the ramifications of those experiences," said Salisbury. "While we work to address underlying causes of the high suicide rates among emergency responders, we must simultaneously honor the sacrifices these individuals have made for the health and safety of our communities."
As amended, LD 439 would empower the Maine State Police Colonel, the State Fire Marshall, the Commissioner of the Department of Corrections and the Director of Maine Emergency Medical Services to administer the line of duty death benefit in the heartbreaking instance that an emergency responder dies by suicide.
For eligible personnel who died in the line of duty prior to July 1, 2021, the benefit amount was $100,000. For all subsequent years, the benefit amount is indexed to the Consumer Price Index, a commonly used metric for inflation.
The bill faces further votes in the House and Senate.
Salisbury is serving her second term in the Maine House and represents District 128, part of Westbrook. She serves as House chair of the Legislatures Committee on Criminal Justice and Public Safety.
Contact:
Brian Lee [Salisbury], c. 305-965-2744