The following words and terms, when used in this chapter, have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
Act-The act of June 24, 1976 ( P. L. 424, No. 101), (53 P. S. § § 891-892.1), known as the Emergency and Law Enforcement Personnel Death Benefits Act.
Ambulance service or rescue squad member-
Beneficiary-The surviving spouse, minor children or parents of a public safety officer.
Benefit-The payment made to the beneficiary as authorized by the act.
Bureau-The Bureau of Risk and Insurance Management of the Department.
Certified hazmat response team member-A person who is a part of a group of individuals that meets the following requirements:
Department-The Department of General Services of the Commonwealth.
Emergency medical service-Provision of first-response emergency medical care (other than in a permanent medical care facility) or transportation of persons, in medical distress or under emergency conditions, to medical care facilities.
Firefighter-An individual, who is trained in fire suppression and has the legal authority and responsibility to engage in fire suppression, as an employee of the Commonwealth or a political subdivision or as an individual serving as an officially recognized or designated member of a legally organized volunteer fire department in this Commonwealth.
Hazmat Act-The Hazardous Material and Emergency Response Act (35 P. S. § § 6022.101-6022.307).
Law enforcement officer-A peace officer as defined in 18 Pa.C.S. § 501 (relating to definitions), a public servant concerned in the official detention as defined in 18 Pa.C.S. § 5121 (relating to escape), an officer or employee of a State correctional institution, guards or employees of county jails and prisons, or other law enforcement officers of the Commonwealth or any political subdivision thereof.
Minor children-Surviving biological or adopted children of a public safety officer, who, at the time of the death of the public safety officer are under 21 years of age.
National Guard member-A member of the Pennsylvania National Guard in an official State duty status authorized under 51 Pa.C.S. § 508 (relating to active State duty for emergency).
Parent-A surviving biological or adoptive parent of a public safety officer whose parental rights had not been terminated at the time of their child's death.
Political subdivision-Any county, city, borough, incorporated town, township, school, vocational school district, or county institution district within this Commonwealth.
Public safety answering point-A facility approved by the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency under the Public Safety Emergency Telephone Act (35 P. S. § § 7011-7021.13) as the first point at which calls for emergency assistance from individuals are answered, operated 24 hours a day.
Public safety officers-Emergency or law enforcement personnel identified in the act including firefighters, ambulance service or rescue squad members, certified hazmat response team members, law enforcement officers and National Guard members.
Secretary-The Secretary of the Department.
Spouse-The husband or wife of the deceased public safety officer at the time of death, including a spouse living apart from the individual, other than pursuant to divorce.
4 Pa. Code § 89.1