In the Line of Duty

The Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) has developed a checklist to assist public safety agencies submitting Hometown Heroes Public Safety Officers' Benefits (PSOB) applications. The NVFC, in consultation with BJA, has developed this document, which expands on major issues that the checklist addresses. PSOB is a one-time financial benefit to the eligible survivors of public safety officers whose deaths were the direct and proximate result of a personal injury sustained in the line of duty. Learn more

Hometown Heroes Survivors Benefits Claim Checklist
The Public Safety Officers' Benefits (PSOB) Act provides a one-time financial benefit to the eligible survivors of public safety officers whose deaths were the direct and proximate result of personal injury sustained in the line of duty on or after September 29, 1976. Learn more

Wills for Heroes Foundation
Wills for Heroes Foundation offers estate planning services to first responders at no charge. The wills are drafted in a single sitting. Wills for Heroes Foundation provides this free service by bringing together the first responder with attorneys, laptop computers, witnesses and notaries at a department station, training facility, or headquarters on a predetermined Saturday. The department?s sole responsibilities are to provide the meeting space and coordinate the appointments. Learn more

USFA Firefighter Fatalities
The U.S. Fire Administration compiles information about on-duty U.S. firefighter fatalities, including notices of firefighter fatalities, a searchable database of firefighters honored at the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial, a description of the Memorial, a database with statistics related to the circumstances surrounding fatalities, the annual USFA firefighter fatality report and information about Public Safety Officer Benefits (PSOB). Learn more

Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation and Prevention Program
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) conducts independent investigations of firefighter line of duty deaths. This site provides access to NIOSH investigation reports and other firefighter safety resources. NIOSH is the federal agency responsible for conducting research and making recommendations for the prevention of work-related injury and illness. It is part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the Department of Health and Human Services. Learn more

Public Safety Officers' Benefits Program
The Bureau of Justice Assistance's (BJA) Public Safety Officers' Benefits Program (PSOB) provides death benefits in the form of a one-time financial payment to the eligible survivors of public safety officers whose deaths are the direct result of a traumatic injury sustained in the line of duty. It also provides disability benefits for public safety officers who have been permanently and totally disabled by a catastrophic personal injury sustained in the line of duty, if that injury permanently prevents the officer from performing any substantial and gainful work. The PSOB includes the Public Safety Officers' Educational Assistance Act, which provides financial assistance for higher education for the spouses and children of public safety officers who have been permanently disabled or killed in the line of duty. BJA is a component of the Office of Justice Programs in the Department of Justice. Learn more

National Fallen Firefighters Foundation
Congress created the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation to lead a nationwide effort to remember America's fallen firefighters. Since 1992, the Foundation has developed and expanded programs to honor fallen firefighters and assist their families and coworkers. Learn more

Firefighter Autopsy Protocol
The United States Fire Administration released a standard firefighter autopsy protocol to provide guidance to medical examiners, coroners, and pathologists on uniform recommended procedures for investigating the causes and contributing factors related to firefighter deaths. The protocol addresses attributes - such as protective clothing and equipment, prolonged exposures to the hazardous environment and specialized training and duties - that distinguish firefighter casualties from the general population as well as civilian fire casualties. Learn more

Funeral Procedures for Firefighters
Firefighting continues to be one of the nation's most hazardous professions. According to the United States Fire Administration, about 100 firefighters die in the line of duty each year in the United States. It is only fitting, given the heroic efforts of the fire service personnel, both paid and volunteer, that they be given the final respect they deserve. The National Volunteer Fire Council developed this resource manual in response to numerous requests for information about how to properly conduct funeral services. Learn more