Schwartz, Orgen and Pagan Call On State and Federal Lawmakers to Recognize Coronavirus-Related Deaths of First Responders as Line-Of-Duty Deaths to Help Provide Financial and Health Benefits to Their Families

Teaneck, N.J. – The Moving Teaneck Forward team which consists of Deputy Mayor Mark J. Schwartz and Planning Board Members Karen Lew Orgen and Michael Pagan are calling on state and federal lawmakers to ensure that COVID-19 related deaths of first responders are recognized as Line-Of-Duty deaths to help provide financial and health benefits to their families.

“Unfortunately, a number of first responders are dying from complications related to COVID-19,” said Schwartz, Orgen and Pagan in a joint statement.  “The families of those first responders should receive public safety officer survivor benefits so they can receive the financial and health benefits they need to help them with the devastating loss of their loved ones. We are asking our state and federal lawmakers to approve legislation that will right this wrong, and help provide support for the families of our local first responder heroes who are fighting this dangerous virus on the front lines.”

Earlier this month, a 33-year-old Passaic firefighter and paramedic — Israel Tolentino Jr. — died from complications related to COVID-19.  His wife and two children are now worried about health care and their financial future. The family will receive an initial pension payout based on Tolentino’s salary at the time of his death, but they fear that will not be enough.

Schwartz is a volunteer firefighter and an 18-year member of the Teaneck Volunteer Ambulance Corps.  Orgen is a pharmacist and the first female president of the Teaneck Volunteer Ambulance Corps.  Both have seen the toll this pandemic is taking on first responders and have joined with their running-mate, Pagan, to begin reaching out to members of the NJ Legislature and NJ Congressional delegation to help bring awareness to this issue.

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