Christina Jedra

The News Journal

When three Wilmington firefighters died in the line of duty last year, their families did not get the funeral cost assistance available to other government employees.

A new bill, if passed, would grant families of fallen city firefighters a $7,000 "death benefit," said the bill's sponsor, State Sen. Harris McDowell, at a press conference at Station No. 6 on Monday.

"I was stunned when I learned the firefighters who died in September didn't receive a death benefit, and I knew we needed to fix that," McDowell said. "In spite of our budget challenges, we owe it to our brave firefighters to ensure these benefits going forward."

The law currently provides death benefits to state employees, police officers and volunteer firefighters but not to personnel of the Wilmington Fire Department, the state's only full-time, paid fire department. Community contributions helped cover burial costs for Capt. Christopher Leach, Lt. Jerry Fickes and Lt. Ardythe Hope.

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State Rep. Helene Keeley, the primary sponsor of the bill in the House of Representatives, said the current set-up was an "oversight." The fatalities from the Sept. 24 Canby Park blaze were the first fire-related line of duty deaths in Wilmington in almost two decades.

"Government doesn't always get it right, but when we see an inequity, we try to right the ship," Keeley said.

The bill would retroactively cover expenses for the funerals of Leach, Fickes and Hope, Keeley said.

Kevin Turner, president of the IAFF 1590 union, thanked officials for "helping our families rebuild their lives following the events of Sept. 24."

The legislation, slated to be filed in the Senate on Tuesday, will be named Capt. Christopher Leach, Lt. Jerry Fickes and Lt. Ardythe Hope's Law.

Wilmington Mayor Mike Purzycki said in a statement that the bill is a needed benefit and a fitting tribute.

"It is truly touching to know that this benefit extension will forever carry the names of Wilmington's fallen firefighters, which means that in their memory, other first responders and their families will be supported appropriately," he said.

Contact Christina Jedra at (302) 324-2837, cjedra@delawareonline.com or on Twitter @ChristinaJedra.