WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congress established the Department of Justice’s Public Safety Officers’ Benefits (PSOB) program in 1976 to provide monetary benefits to law enforcement officers, firefighters, and other first responders who become permanently disabled or pass away due to injuries sustained in the line of duty. While the program recognizes those who made the ultimate sacrifice due to 9/11-related cancers, it does not cover first responders who lose their lives due to other service-related cancers. 

U.S. Senators Kevin Cramer (R-ND) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) introduced legislation to ensure all first responders who die or become disabled due to service-related cancers are covered under the PSOB program. 

The Honoring Our Fallen Heroes Act is built on data indicating elevated cancer risks faced by first responders. A 2011 study by the State University of Buffalo and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health revealed significantly higher rates of brain cancer and Hodgkin’s lymphoma among law enforcement officers as compared to the general population. The bill aims to recognize these occupational risks as inherent to service, thereby categorizing cancer-related fatalities as line-of-duty deaths under the PSOB program.

“Our first responders epitomize courage and selfless sacrifice, confronting both the immediate perils of their duty and lingering health risks associated with their service,” said Cramer. “The exposure to dangerous carcinogens happens on our behalf. When these heroes make the ultimate sacrifice, their families should not bear these burdens alone.”  

“As we are seeing in California and throughout the country, our firefighters put their lives on the line every day to keep us safe, often exposing themselves to carcinogens that can have lethal long-term effects. It’s unacceptable that firefighters who succumb to cancer from work-related exposure or become permanently and totally disabled don’t receive the same treatment as others who die in the line of duty,” said Klobuchar. “That's why I’m working with Senator Cramer to ensure that firefighters get the support they deserve. Our bipartisan legislation will honor the memory and sacrifice of St. Paul Fire Department Captain Mike Paidar and so many others who risk their lives in service of their communities.”

“As Fire Chief of the Fargo Fire Department, I wholeheartedly support the Honoring Our Fallen Heroes Act, reintroduced by Senators Kevin Cramer and Amy Klobuchar,” said Fargo Fire Chief Steven Dirksen. “This crucial legislation extends benefits for service-related cancers to first responders nationwide, recognizing the risks faced by those who dedicate their lives to protecting others.”

“Firefighters face danger every time they leave the fire station and face a significantly greater risk of being diagnosed with this devastating illness,” said Bismarck Rural Fire Chief Dustin Theurer. “This key legislation is crucial to support the men and women in the fire service and their families.”  

The Honoring Our Fallen Heroes Act was reported unanimously out of the Senate Judiciary Committee last Congress.

This legislation has garnered the endorsement of leading public safety organizations, including the International Association of Fire Fighters, Fraternal Order of Police, National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, Congressional Fire Services Institute, International Association of Fire Chiefs, National Volunteer Fire Council, National Association of Police Organizations, Major County Sheriffs of America, National Narcotics Officers’ Associations’ Coalition, National Fire Protection Association, and Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association.

Additional cosponsors include U.S. Senators Jim Banks (R-IN), John Barrasso (R-WY), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Chris Coons (D-DE), John Cornyn (R-TX), Ted Cruz (R-TX), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Dick Durbin (D-IL), John Fetterman (D-PA), Deb Fischer (R-NE), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), John Hoeven (R-ND), Jim Justice (R-WV), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Ed Markey (D-MA), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Mike Rounds (R-SD), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Tim Sheehy (R-MT), Tina Smith (D-MN), Mark Warner (D-VA), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Peter Welch (D-VT), and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI).

Click here for bill text.