Less than 24 hours after V.I. Consortium reported that frontline firefighters were excluded from the proposed Virgin Islands Heroes Act, Senator Avery Lewis, chairman of the Committee on Government Operations, Veterans Affairs and Consumer Protection, said Tuesday that he has put forward an amendment to include firefighters and emergency medical services personnel. Lewis said bill sponsor Senator Milton Potter agreed to support the expanded coverage following a conversation between the two lawmakers.
Mr. Potter initially advocated a narrower approach focused on law enforcement personnel because of concerns about the government's potential financial obligations.
“I did speak with him today, and he confirmed. He said yes,” Mr. Lewis told The Consortium when asked whether Mr. Potter had agreed to support the inclusion of firefighters and EMS personnel.
The committee chairman said he had already taken steps to advance the change rather than waiting for the bill sponsor to introduce it. “I actually placed an amendment in there to make sure that it goes through,” Mr. Lewis said.
He explained that the amendment is intended to cover firefighters and emergency medical personnel working under Virgin Islands Fire and Emergency Medical Services, addressing what lawmakers identified Monday as a gap in the proposed law's definition of eligible public safety officers.
Lawmakers Raised Exclusion During Monday's Hearing
As reported Tuesday by V.I. Consortium journalist Nelcia Charlemagne, Bill 36-0345 advanced from committee Monday despite sharp disagreements over whether its benefits should extend beyond law enforcement personnel.
The proposed Heroes Act would establish a $150,000 death benefit for families of eligible officers killed in the line of duty, along with a $75,000 payment for officers who suffer catastrophic injuries. Additional provisions include University of the Virgin Islands tuition assistance for eligible spouses and children, continued health insurance benefits and a dedicated revolving fund.
During Monday's hearing, Timothy Perry, criminal chief for the St. Thomas–St. John District at the Department of Justice, warned that the existing definition of peace officer could extend benefits to certain fire service officials without covering firefighters engaged in fire suppression duties.
Mr. Perry explained that the language would cover positions such as fire director, fire marshal, fire inspector and deputy fire inspector, but not necessarily frontline firefighters.
Senator Clifford Joseph objected to that omission, stating that he could not support the legislation without firefighters being included. Senator Franklin Johnson also called for broader coverage, while Mr. Lewis warned that excluding certain public safety personnel could create contention within the community.
Mr. Potter, meanwhile, urged lawmakers to consider starting with a narrower group of law enforcement officers before expanding eligibility, citing concerns about the potential costs to the government.
The proposed amendment has not yet been adopted, and Bill 36-0345 remains pending before the Legislature.
