Nov 5, 2009 6:36 pm US/Eastern
Benefits For Md. Fire Cadet's Children Denied
BALTIMORE (WJZ) ―
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More heartbreak for the family of Racheal Wilson, the fire cadet who died during a training exercise.
WJZ
The family of fallen city fire cadet Racheal Wilson filed for benefits from the federal government, but all of the paperwork from the fire department may not have been filed.
Gigi Barnett reports now city officials are reacting.
Two years after fire cadet Racheal Wilson died in a burning Baltimore rowhouse, her family filed for benefits from the Federal Department of Justice.
Wilson died in a 2007 training exercise that violated several federal safety standards.
"The federal government has a benefit for police and firefighters who die in the line of duty," said Chief James Clack, Baltimore City Fire.
But nearly $300,000 for Wilson's two children, now 11 and 14, is on hold at least for now.
The claim was denied because the Department of Justice says the city's fire department didn't file the proper paperwork making Wilson's death eligible for the benefits.
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We've been in contact with several folks down there at DOJ and nobody's been able to define for us exactly what it is they need to approve the application," said Clack.
On Friday, the family appealed the Justice Department's decision. Clack says Wilson's family has the department's full support.
"We are going to do everything we can to support the family's appeal," said Clack.
Wilson's death, followed by a string of investigations, brought widespread changes to the fire department. Top leaders stepped down and training standards are tighter.
Mayor Sheila Dixon wants the family's claim approved. She plans to call on Maryland lawmakers on Capitol Hill to help.
"We're going to ask them to look into the situation, to meet with the Department of Justice and work with us to help this family," said Dixon.
The Justice Department says all claims are different and take time to review. Last year, the department received more than 300 claims. Fourteen of those claims were denied.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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