Mike Fitzpatrick Takes a Ride Along with SARS

Mike Fitzpatrick, U.S. Congressman for Pennsylvania’s 8th district, paid a visit to Second Alarmers Rescue Squad () on May 18.

While visiting the SARS headquarters in Willow Grove, Fitzpatrick participated in an ambulance ride-along with SARS EMS service providers.

This offered Fitzpatrick a first-hand opportunity to experience the daily working conditions of EMS providers.

“I’m proud of all our first responders, but especially during EMS week this week, to be able to ride along with the Second Alarmers, and attend actual calls,” Fitzpatrick said, referring to National EMS Week. “But, most importantly I gained a greater appreciation on what it takes to run a squad, to maintain the training and be first on the scene.”

Fitzpatrick’s appreciation of EMS providers led him to introduce a bill that would allow the families of volunteer EMS providers the same benefits that of other public safety officers, should they give their lives during the line of duty.

He named the bill (H.R. 1668) the “Danny McIntosh Emergency Medical Service Providers Protection Act,” after a Bensalem medic died while responding to a call last year.

According to Fitzpatrick, his office has been working with McIntosh’s widow to attain certain benefits that a government agent would receive, such as a police officer or firefighter. However, he explained that the federal government has several “road blocks” set up to prevent this, one of which being the fact that McIntosh died, while serving as a volunteer and not a paid employee.

“I introduced it to close a loophole in current federal law, Fitzpatrick said. “Right now the loophole provides no federal payment to their widows or families.”

Fitzpatrick said that he continued to work on the bill before his ride-along that morning, wanting to update SARS on the bill’s progress.

“As far as elected officials go, we couldn’t ask for a better human being that cares about EMS than Mike Fitzpatrick,” Jamie Haddon, SARS executive director, said. “He makes us feel like we’re on the top of his agenda.”

According to Haddon, when McIntosh passed away, SARS helped to cover the calls in Bensalem, while the Bensalem Medics attended funeral processions.

During Fitzpatrick’s visit to SARS, Haddon had shown him a picture of Michael Garvin.

He explained that Garvin, who was a full-time SARS member for 18 years, passed away in the line of duty in October 2008.

However, with the exception of Cheltenham EMS, Willow Grove-area EMS providers operate as a volunteer organization, and not attached to local government, currently making it impossible for their families to receive death benefits.

“We work as hard as anybody else does,” SARS chief said. “Just because we’re not associated with the township, doesn’t mean we shouldn’t get benefits.”   

For more information, visit www.sars.org.