Van Hollen, Carper, Collins Reintroduce Bill to Secure Federal Firefighters' Benefits for Diseases Contracted in Line of Duty

Press Release

Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined Senators Tom Carper (D-Del.) and Susan Collins (R-Maine), both co-chairs of the Congressional Fire Services Caucus, in reintroducing legislation to help ensure federal firefighters receive the financial support they deserve for diseases contracted in the line of duty. The Federal Firefighter Fairness Act of 2021 classifies a range of firefighting-linked illnesses, like lung diseases and certain cancers, contracted by federal firefighters as "job-related" and makes them automatically eligible for federal workers' compensation and disability retirement benefits. Senators Van Hollen, Carper and Collins were joined by Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.). Angus King (I-Maine). Rep. Salud Carbajal (D-Calif.) introduced a House companion bill.

The bill also has the support of the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) and the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE).

"Our federal firefighters work tirelessly to help keep our communities safe -- often risking their own lives. They should not have to fight their way through bureaucratic red tape when their health is threatened by their line of work," said Senator Van Hollen. "This bipartisan bill will ensure federal firefighters receive the assistance they're owed when battling health problems related to their service."

"Federal firefighters run towards danger to save lives, protect property and safeguard our country's public lands," said Senator Carper. "But for too long, they have been forced to navigate a difficult pathway to secure workers' compensation for diseases shown to be caused by fighting fires -- like respiratory illnesses and a variety of cancers. This bipartisan measure would help these heroic men and women get the financial support they deserve for putting their own personal safety at risk. I want to thank Sen. Collins and Rep. Carbajal for joining me again on this important effort."

"Every day across the country, firefighters put their lives on the line to keep our communities safe," said Senator Collins. "Federal firefighters protect some of our nation's most critical assets and infrastructure, and these brave men and women should have the same occupational safeguards and benefits as most of their colleagues at the local level. Our legislation would allow federal firefighters to receive the benefits they deserve when they fall ill as a result of their service to our nation."

"California unfortunately knows all too well the sacrifices that firefighters make to protect us from deadly fires, including wildfires. Firefighters put themselves at great risk for chronic disease later in life. We owe it to them to ensure they get the care and compensation necessary for any work-related illnesses or injuries." said Senator Feinstein.

"Firefighters face immediate danger on a regular basis -- but studies have shown that a lifetime of service can also contribute to health problems that arise later in life, including lung disease and a number of cancers," said Senator King. "For far too long, our federal firefighters facing serious work-related illnesses have been forced to fight a maze of bureaucracies and red tape to receive the worker's compensation they have earned by answering the call to service. This bipartisan legislation would right this wrong, providing the resources and peace of mind required to focus their energies on getting healthy. Let's pass this bill -- now."

"Firefighters have been on the frontlines as California experiences unprecedented wildfire seasons year after year. When a fire breaks out, it means all hands on deck to protect our communities, regardless of whether you are a federal, state or municipal firefighter," said Rep. Carbajal. "The threshold for federal firefighters to prove work-related illness is much higher than their state or local counterparts here in California and around the nation. This legislation gives our brave federal firefighters the healthcare benefits they deserve for putting themselves in harm's way to protect us all."

The Federal Firefighters Fairness Act would amend Federal Employee Compensation Act to create a presumption that a disability or death of a federal firefighter caused by certain diseases is the result of the performance of the employee's duty. The diseases include heart and lung diseases, and various cancers such as brain cancer, cancer of the blood or lymphatic systems, skin cancer, bladder cancer, kidney cancer, testicular cancer, cancer of the digestive system, skin cancer, cancer of the respiratory system, and breast cancer.

Supporters of the bill include the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) and the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE).

View full text of the bill HERE.