(WSB Radio) Volunteer firefighters across Georgia are claiming victory after state lawmakers agree to pay death benefits to the widow of a volunteer firefighter who died during training exercises.

When Joey Turner died while training, the state didn't want to pay death benefits because he didn't die while fighting a fire.

Suzanne Turner tells Channel 2 Action News her husband, 48-year-old Joey Turner, was a Master Sergeant in the Marines and had been training to be a volunteer firefighter for eight months.

"He was at Forsyth, at the training center. He was in what you call a maze and he went down and then they found out later he'd had a massive heart attack, and they didn't want to cover it," said Turner.

Last year following Turner's death, the law was changed. On Monday, Turner found out the state agreed to pay out the $75,000 benefit.

"It means everything; but it's finally closure. I just don't this to happen to another family or fireman's family," said Turner.

The law only covers volunteer firefighters, not paid firefighters. Dennis Thayer tells Channel 2 Action News, he's in shock .

"I've been a firefighter since 1986, and thought the whole time I was covered," said Thayer.

Legislators say they'll push for a change in state law to also include paid firefighters.