LINCOLN- A program created last year and expanded with legislation that took effect recently on July 21 offers a one-time, $250,000 death benefit to the families of first responders who die in the line of duty.

The line of duty payments are available for deaths starting this year of paid and volunteer firefighters, emergency medical service workers, ambulance squad members, law enforcement officers and correctional workers.

State Sen. Matt Hansen of Lincoln introduced the idea three times before it finally passed last year. Legislative Bill 255 provided for $50,000 payments.

“I believe it is time for Nebraska to join our neighbors and make sure that those first responders know we value their work, their service and their lives,” he said at the time.

This year, Sen. Adam Morfeld of Lincoln sponsored LB 717 to boost the benefit to $250,000. The increase passed before any benefits had been approved and applies to deaths this year. The amount will be increased by the inflation rate in future years.

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