Senate Approves Expanded PTSD Bill for Some First Responders

The Wisconsin Senate has approved Senate Bill 511, which would make it easier for some first responders to qualify for workers' compensation benefits when diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder. The bill now goes to the Assembly, where some public safety advocates hope volunteer and stand-alone emergency medical technicians can be added to the list of those who would be covered by benefits. SB 511 and its companion bill, AB 569, extend coverage only to firefighters and police who are attached to a municipality. That excludes about 18,000 stand-alone EMTs and paramedics wh...