Lisa Higgins, the widow of a Montgomery County, Maryland, firefighter who died in the line of duty in January, had to wait months before she and her two children saw the first of the survivors’ benefits they were entitled to under county law.

Two council members want to change that, so no grieving family has to face hardship after their loss.

Inspired by fallen firefighter 46-year-old Lt. Christopher Higgins, Montgomery County Council members Evan Glass and Sidney Katz introduced the HERO Act at Tuesday’s council meeting.

Higgins, who was posthumously granted the rank of lieutenant, died while fighting a fire in Laurel in January.

According to Glass’ office , if a career firefighter dies in the line of duty, their spouse would receive a disability benefit equal to at least 70% of th

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