Does an air traffic controller qualify as a public safety officer?

[ralph_walters]

I have had mixed opinions on this topic.

[JamesG1]

The IRS publication below does not include air traffic controllers.

IRS Publication 721, page 18, states:

Distributions Used To Pay Insurance Premiums for Public Safety Officers 

If you are an eligible retired public safety officer (law enforcement officer, firefighter, chaplain, or member of a rescue squad or ambulance crew who is retired because of disability or because you reached normal retirement age), you can elect to exclude from income distributions made from your eligible retirement plan that are used to pay the premiums for coverage by an accident or health plan or a long-term care insurance contract.