VIDEO: In a new push to help the families of fallen firefighters, Montgomery County leaders introduced a bill Tuesday to ease the financial burden for those whose loved ones are killed in the line of duty.
One firefighterโs death sparked the call for change after his family faced financial hardship in the wake of the tragedy.
Master Firefighter Christopher Higgins responded to a house fire in Laurel, Maryland in January 2025 โ a call to action he had responded to countless times throughout his 20-plus year career.
It would be his last call.
He suffered a medical emergency on scene and ultimately died.
There was an outpouring of love and support for Higgins’ family, but as the months went on, the family not only had to deal with their grief, but also faced financial struggles.
It took close to six months before they ever received a pension check, a problem the Hero Act looks to fix.
