Amo Leads Bipartisan Bill Introduction to Support Firefighters with Service-Related Cancers
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Gabe Amo (RI-01) joined Representatives Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-05), Carlos Gimenez (FL-28), and Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01) in introducing the Honoring Our Fallen Heroes Act, bipartisan legislation that would expand access to federal support for the families of firefighters and other first responders who pass away or become permanently disabled from service-related cancers. Currently, first responders are only eligible for support under the Public Safety Officer Benefits (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.
“Every day, firefighters in Rhode Island and across the country answer the call, risking their lives to keep us safe,” said Congressman Gabe Amo. “Our bipartisan Honoring Our Fallen Heroes Act helps us care for and support our first responders and their families should these brave individuals be injured or the worst come to pass serving our communities. I thank Representatives Scanlon, Gimenez, and Fitzpatrick for their leadership on this bill and for their willingness to show up for those who show up for us.”
"Every day, firefighters and police officers face exposure to deadly carcinogens that take a devastating toll long after the flames are out,” said Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon. “When these first responders develop cancer because of their service, they and their families deserve our full support. I am proud to introduce the Honoring Our Fallen Heroes Act to do right by those who put their lives on the line to protect our communities. It’s time we close this gap in federal benefits and stand by our first responders, just as they have always stood by us."
“As the only career firefighter paramedic serving in Congress and as the City of Miami’s very first Cuban American Fire Chief, it’s an honor and a duty to introduce the bipartisan Honoring Our Fallen Heroes Act,” said Rep. Carlos Gimenez. “Our first responders go above and beyond the line of duty to protect the communities they serve, and this legislation would guarantee that they have access to the life-saving care they rightfully deserve.”
“When our firefighters put their lives on the line, they do it without question—we must match that commitment with action,” said Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-1), Co-Chair of the Congressional Fire Services Caucus. “Right now, the support for these heroes falls short, especially for the families of those lost to cancer caused by toxic exposure. A policy gap is blocking firefighters from accessing essential programs they rightfully deserve. This must end. These brave men and women risk everything to protect us, and we have a duty to ensure they and their families receive the care, support, and recognition they have earned—no exceptions.”
BACKGROUND
Over the last two years, Rhode Island fire departments and other first responders across the state have been awarded over $30 million in federal funding through FEMA AFG and Staffing For Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant funding. Congress appropriated $648 million for the AFG and SAFER programs in the fiscal year 2024 appropriations law. The federal grant program is designed to enhance the department’s ability to comply with response, staffing, and operational standards established by the National Fire Protection Association.
The Public Safety Officers' Benefits (PSOB) program provides benefits to the survivors of firefighters, law enforcement officers, and other first responders who are killed because of injuries sustained in the line of duty. The program also provides disability benefits where first responders become permanently or totally disabled. The Public Safety Officers' Educational Assistance (PSOEA) program, a component of the PSOB program, provides higher-education assistance to the children and spouses of public safety officers killed or permanently disabled in the line of duty. The PSOB and PSOEA programs are administered by the Department of Justice’s Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA).
The Honoring Our Fallen Heroes Act would expand access to federal support for the families of firefighters and first responders who pass away from cancer caused by carcinogenic exposure during their service. The bill would also extend disability benefits in cases where these first responders become permanently and totally disabled due to cancer.
Full list of endorsing organizations: International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF), 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), and National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC).
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