The death of Princeton First Aid and Rescue Squad (PFARS) volunteer Michael Kenwood last August during tropical storm Irene was a tragedy for his young family. The 39-year-old emergency medical and rescue technician left a wife, Beth, and daughter, two-year-old Laney, as well as extended family members, friends, and colleagues.

This sad situation was compounded when it was revealed that, under current law, Mr. Kenwood’s family was not eligible for federal death benefits because he was a volunteer member of a non-profit organization. This did not sit well with Representative Rush Holt [D-12], who has been working on behalf of the Kenwood family and others to change the legislation.

Mr. Holt has co-sponsored the Public Safety Officers’ Benefits Improvements Act of 2012, which passed the House on June 27 and is now pending in the Senate. The bill was introduced on February 14 by Representative Michael Fitzpatrick (R-PA). In his remarks on June 26, Mr. Holt said the legislation would expand federal benefits programs for those who volunteer for fire departments and rescue squads and are injured or killed in the line of duty. “Quite simply, it is the right thing to do,” he said. “I am glad to see this bill being brought to the floor and I urge my colleagues to support it today.”

It was during the early morning hours of August 28, 2011, that PFARS was called to the scene of a vehicle submerged in raging floodwaters near Rosedale Road, with occupants possibly trapped inside. Mr. Kenwood, trained since college as an emergency worker, entered the water tied to his partner in an attempt to reach the stranded car. When they realized that the current was too strong and tried to turn back, Mr. Kenwood lost his footing and was pulled into the current. He was unconscious and not breathing when he was recovered downstream, and died later that day. The submerged car turned out to be empty.

“Michael’s sacrifice would be no different if he had been a member of a paid fire department or EMS agency, and federal law should treat it as such,” Mr. Holt said in his remarks. “When he was called to enter those floodwaters, Michael did not stop to think, ‘I don’t get paid for this — should I do this?’ He answered the call just like thousands upon thousands of others do each and every day, risking their lives in the service of others, regardless of whether or not they are paid.”

Mr. Kenwood’s name was added last month to the National EMS Memorial in Colorado Springs, Colorado. At an annual service there, men and women of the country’s Emergency Medical Services who have given their lives in the line of duty are honored and remembered.

“Michael took time away from work, friends, and family to make sure his community was protected and that those in need got prompt, professional emergency medical care,” said PFARS President Peter Simon, in an email this week. “Ironically, because the Princeton First Aid & Rescue Squad is a non-profit, independent organization, our members do not qualify for the Public Safety Officers Benefit — a flaw with the current program that will hopefully be corrected. We appreciate the efforts of everyone working diligently to see that this bill is championed and passed so that the true heroes of our community, like Michael Kenwood, get the respect they deserve. And more importantly, the families of these fallen heroes get the support they need.”

Mr. Kenwood’s widow, Beth, said she is thankful for Mr. Holt’s efforts. “I am deeply grateful for Representative Holt’s support and his dedication to getting the Public Safety Officers’ Benefits Improvements Act passed,” she said in an email. “I appreciate Mr. Holt and the many others who continue to remember and recognize the sacrifice Michael made and the ongoing struggles our family faces in the wake of Michael’s death.”