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Legislative Panel To Review Benefit Proposals For Fallen Prescott Firefighters

A state legislative committee will meet this month to review proposals to help the families of the 19 firefighters killed in the Yarnell Hill wildfire.  Arizona House Speaker Andy Tobin of Prescott Valley plans to introduce bills that would provide retroactive state benefits to the families. Thirteen of Prescott’s Granite Mountain firefighters who died on June 30 were seasonal workers and not full-time employees, so they will not receive any benefits.  

The city of Prescott said it cannoy afford to provide coverage for families of all of the fallen firefighters, but Tobin said he is writing a bill that would make all first responders killed on state land dating back to June 30 eligible for full-time state employee death benefits.

The committee also will discuss how to provide coverage for emergency workers in future Arizona disasters.Tobin said he will not introduce his measures until the regular session starts in January unless there is need for a special session before then.