Title: Family Advocates for Inclusion of 911 Dispatchers in Grant

OTTAWA — In December 2022, Georgia Kerhoas was playing cards with family when her son Chris delivered devastating news. Her son, Lee Herriot, a correctional services officer and 911 dispatcher for the Toronto Fire Service, had taken his own life. Herriot's death was later classified as an on-duty death. His contributions as a first responder have been honored multiple times, including at a memorial for fallen firefighters in June. His name is inscribed on the Canadian Firefighters Memorial in Ottawa and the Fallen Firefighter Memorial in Toronto.

However, in January, the family received disappointing news regarding the federal Memorial Grant Program for First Responders. This program recognizes the service of first responders who die in the line of duty. Public Safety Canada informed the family that Herriot did not qualify for the $300,000 grant because, as a 911 dispatcher, he did not meet the program's definition of a first responder.

Now, Herriot's family is urging the federal government to amend the grant's terms to include emergency dispatchers, who are widely acknowledged as first responders in Canada. "How a 911 dispatcher is not included in the definition… A 911 dispatcher is the first first responder. How can they not be included in this?" questioned Herriot’s cousin, Barry Casselman, in an interview. He emphasized that he has not encountered anyone who disagrees with this perspective, calling the current legislation an oversight.

Casselman has been advocating for nearly a year to rectify what he describes as an unacceptable technicality. He is rallying support from first responder unions, emergency services, and local MP Eric Duncan to push for change. "Money doesn’t replace the person obviously, but it helps deal with things. It gives you peace of mind. It shows that Lee’s — or whoever’s — life was worth something," he said.

Georgia Kerhoas and her brother Tim expressed that the rejection felt like an affront to all 911 dispatchers, who are often the first point of contact in emergencies. "It was kind of a slap in the face, not so much for the money, but just for the lack of recognition," Tim Kerhoas stated. Herriot’s colleagues were also taken aback by the denial, which they viewed as a technicality.

The family described Herriot as a dedicated first responder who was deeply committed to helping others. By advocating for the inclusion of 911 dispatchers in the federal grant, they hope to ensure that future families facing similar tragedies receive the recognition their loved ones deserve. "First responders are the first ones helping people in trouble," Georgia Kerhoas said. "They mess up on their job, it’s not very good results."

Established by the Liberal government in 2018, the Memorial Grant for First Responders offers a $300,000 tax-free payment to the families of first responders who die in the line of duty. Initially, the grant included only police officers, firefighters, and paramedics. In 2020, the terms were expanded to include correctional, parole, and probation officers. However, 911 dispatchers remain excluded, even if their deaths are ruled on-duty, as was the case with Herriot.

Public Safety Canada spokesperson Tim Warmington stated that the minister of emergency management defines the grant’s eligibility criteria, which the department must follow. He noted, "There are no further changes imminent to the program’s eligibility criteria currently." Since the 2022-2023 fiscal year, the department has received 434 applications for the memorial grant, approving 427. Only seven applications have been denied, including Herriot’s.

Conservative MP Eric Duncan described the exclusion of 911 dispatchers from the grant as a "major gap" that needs to be addressed. "The minister can make the simple change, change the eligibility… without it needing to be legislative," Duncan said. He added, "It’s a simple common-sense change. I don’t think anybody would disagree with, and I really hope they would consider doing it retroactively that could include Lee’s family."