U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), along with Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Kevin Cramer (R-ND), announced that their Honoring Our Fallen Heroes Act has been signed into law. The bipartisan legislation expands access to federal support for the families of firefighters and other first responders who pass away or become permanently disabled from service-related cancers.
“New Yorkers know that our firefighters and first responders are selfless heroes who rush into danger every day to protect our communities. But we also know their fight does not end when their shift does, and that many are exposed to dangerous health risks that can surface years later. When these heroes face health challenges or lose their lives as a result of their service, they and their families must be supported,” said Senator Gillibrand. “I’m grateful that our legislation has been signed into law, and I will continue fighting to ensure our first responders receive the critical support they deserve after dedicating their lives to keeping our communities safe.”
“This is a critical victory for our firefighters who put their lives on the line every day to keep us safe, and for their loved ones,” said Senator Klobuchar. “This bipartisan legislation will ensure that the Public Safety Officers’ Benefits Program covers service-related cancers—honoring the commitment we make to our firefighters like Captain Paidar and other first responders who made the ultimate sacrifice.”
“Our first responders epitomize courage and selfless sacrifice, confronting both the immediate perils of their duty which are extreme and the lingering health risks associated with their service,” said Senator Cramer. “Their exposure to dangerous carcinogens happens on our behalf. When these heroes make the ultimate sacrifice, their families should not have to bear these burdens alone. I’m grateful my Senate colleagues passed this important legislation.”
This bipartisan legislation now makes firefighters and other first responders who lose their lives or become permanently disabled as a result of service-related cancers eligible for support from the federal Public Safety Officers’ Benefits (PSOB) program. Previously, firefighters were only eligible for support under the PSOB program for physical injuries sustained in the line of duty, or for deaths from duty-related heart attacks, strokes, mental health conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder, and 9/11-related illnesses.
In addition to Gillibrand, Klobuchar, and Cramer, the legislation was co-sponsored by Senators Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), Jim Banks (R-IN), John Barrasso (R-WY), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Shelly Moore Capito (R-WV), Susan Collins (R-ME), Chris Coons (D-DE), John Cornyn (R-TX), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Mike Crapo (R-ID), Ted Cruz (R-TX), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Dick Durbin (D-IL), John Fetterman (D-PA), Deb Fischer (R-NE), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Josh Hawley (R-MO), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), John Hoeven (R-ND), Jon Husted (R-OH), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS), Jim Justice (R-WV), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), John Kennedy (R-LA), Andy Kim (D-NJ), Ed Markey (D-MA), Roger Marshall (R-KS), David McCormick (R-PA), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Jerry Moran (R-KS), Bernie Moreno (R-OH), Ashley Moody (R-FL), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Jon Ossoff (D-GA), Alex Padilla (D-CA), James Risch (R-ID), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Mike Rounds (R-SD), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Eric Schmitt (R-MO), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Tim Sheehy (R-MT), Tina Smith (D-MN), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Mark Warner (D-VA), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Peter Welch (D-VT), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), and Ron Wyden (D-OR).
The legislation was endorsed by the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF), as well as the Association of State Criminal Investigative Agencies (ASCIA); Congressional Fire Services Institute (CFSI); Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association (FLEOA); Fraternal Order of Police (FOP); International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC); Major County Sheriffs of America (MCSA); Metropolitan Fire Chiefs Association (Metro Chiefs); National Association of Police Organizations (NAPO); National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF); National Fire Protection Association (NFPA); National Narcotics Officers’ Associations’ Coalition (NNOAC); National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC); and Sergeants Benevolent Association of the NYPD.
Senator Gillibrand has long been a champion for first responders. In addition to securing millions of dollars in grants to help hire, train, and support them, she has introduced bipartisan legislation to establish a dedicated mental health hotline for first responders, fought for increased funding to support mental health services for law enforcement across New York, and demanded that the Trump administration fully fund the World Trade Center Health Program. Senator Gillibrand has also held two summits in Washington, D.C. that brought together first responders from across New York for a day of conversations and presentations about how the federal government can better support their lifesaving work.
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