On May 15th, the Senate Judiciary Committee unanimously passed S. 237, the Honoring Our Fallen Heros Act. The legislation, introduced by Senator Amy Klobuchar (MN) and Senator Kevin Cramer (ND), expands the Public Safety Officers’ Benefits (PSOB) program to line-of-duty deaths and permanent disabilities that occur because of certain cancers.
The PSOB program provides benefits to the survivors of public safety officers who die in the line of duty, as well as disability benefits to officers who become permanently disabled due to injuries sustained in the line of duty. Firefighters have a 9% higher risk of developing cancer and a 14% higher risk of dying from cancer compared to the general public.
“The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation expresses our deep gratitude to Senators Klobuchar and Cramer, Chairmen Grassley, Ranking Member Durbin, and the Senate Judiciary Committee for passing the Honoring Our Fallen Heroes Act. Firefighters face a significantly higher risk of cancer due to their repeated exposure to hazardous materials, toxic smoke, and other dangerous environmental conditions inherent to their work. These brave individuals put their lives on the line every day to protect their communities. It is essential that the federal government recognize their sacrifice by ensuring that the families of those who die or are permanently disabled from occupational cancer have access to benefits under the Public Safety Officers’ Benefits program,” said Victor Stagnaro, Chief Executive Officer of the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation.
- 237 will now go before the full Senate for consideration. Companion legislation, H.R. 1269, was introduced in the House by Representatives Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-5), Carlos Gimenez (FL-28), Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-1), and Gabe Amo (RI-1) and currently has 104 co-sponsors. NFFF, in partnership with other national fire service organizations, will prioritize the passage of this important legislation during the 119th Congress.
