LAFAYETTE -- Duson Fire Chief Blaine Judice believes in junior firefighter programs. He started one in Duson.
And, after he lost one of his three junior firefighters Saturday (June 19) in a highway crash, he said he believes they deserve the benefits and recognition to which their older colleagues are entitled.
Judice supports House Resolution 4472, the Christopher Kangas Fallen Firefighter Apprentice Act, which would allow any firefighter who dies on duty to receive the benefits regardless of age. U.S. Rep. Chris John, D-Crowley, said Friday that he also supports the resolution to honor Joshua Martin, 15, the Duson junior firefighter killed in Saturday's traffic crash.
The boy was in a sport utility vehicle driven by another Duson volunteer on the way to a fire on
La. 343. Their vehicle spun into the path of an oncoming SUV.
"Acadiana lost a bright young leader this week whose service to our community was an example to all of us," John said in a news release.
The House resolution is named for a 14-year-old Delaware County, Pa., junior firefighter killed by a car as he rode his bicycle to a call. The Pennsylvania state government paid about $270,000 to the Kangas family. But the U.S. Justice Department refused to pay about the same amount in federal benefits because it classified the boy as a trainee.
The ruling created hard feelings in the emergency service occupations. Christopher Kangas died a year to the day after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks that killed 343 firefighters at the World Trade Center. The act was introduced to make apprentice and junior firefighters eligible for the federal benefits. It would be retroactive to May 4, 2002.
"I believe these junior firemen should have the same benefits we have," Judice said.
Judice said Joshua Martin was one of three junior firefighters in the Duson Volunteer Fire Department. They don't work directly in fire suppression. They do some of the work that accompanies firefighting, such as rolling up hoses.
"It is something that keeps them off the street and gives them something to do," Judice said. "This way they get trained, and they won't be so green" when they become full-fledged firefighters, Judice said.
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