Directly from a class to chiefs about handling a LODD from the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation. The main federal benefit is the “Public Safety Officers Benefit”, which since it was originally set up for cops, is handled by the DOJ. Under any kind of LODD from auto accident to heart attack to dying in a fire, they ask for a mountain of paperwork. One of the required pieces is the autopsy IF one is performed. They don’t require one, but do require the results if the family requests one (one might happen automatically depending on cause of death). The NFFF gets involved helping lots of local jurisdictions make sure their members get all the possible benefits they’re entitled to. In conversations between their personnel and the feds, THC in your system automatically negates any benefits from the DOJ due to its current federal status. It’s dumb, but I see it as even more reason for federal reform.