Each signed up for their jobs voluntarily.  The same as my own military service.  The risks are well known.    .gov had an obligation to furnish them with good salaries and benefits, per their contracts  and Alaska's .gov employees have some of the best...nothing more.  

Eager  to help these families?  Try:   gofundme.com; you caring.com; or any of the other crowd sourcing sites.  It would be interesting to see  Mr. Yakopatz focus his energy on soliciting VOLUNTARY DONATIONs vs flaming those who disagree with another forced "give away" from the pubic trough.

I can pretty much guarantee there are many others in our society, deserving the mantle of "hero".  They're also in dangerous jobs or situations but aren't necessarily employed by .gov or wearing a badge.