Elrich to Sign HERO Act Expanding Fallen Firefighter Benefits

County Executive Marc Elrich will sign Expedited Bill 32-25, the HERO Act, on Monday, Dec. 22 at 10:30 a.m. at Burtonsville Volunteer Fire Department Station 15 in Silver Spring. The bill, introduced by Councilmembers Evan Glass and Sidney Katz, expands survivor pension benefit options for families of career firefighters and police officers killed in the line of duty, including an option that treats the deceased as having completed 20 years of service. The legislation was prompted by delays the family of Master Firefighter Christopher Higgins faced in receiving benefits following his line-of-duty death in January 2025.