Gov. Douglas Signs Bill S.251

By Cheryl White

photo by Jim Larrow Governor Jim Douglas signs bill S.251 into law in Montpelier.

    Friday, April 14, 2006 Governor Jim Douglas signed into law bill S.251. This law removes the burden of proof from the firefighters family to the insurance company. Several fire departments throughout the state were on hand to witness the signing.

The new law presumes that a heart attack suffered by a firefighter or emergency medical personnel within 72 hours of response to an emergency situation would mean that workers compensation would cover costs of treatment, and in the event of death, would make payments to the surviving family.

President of Addison County Firefighters Assoc. Dean Gilmore explained to The Voice “We are looking out for the firefighters and their family in the event of tragedy.”