Peace Garden News

In Washington, D.C., U.S. Senators Kevin Cramer and Amy Klobuchar have introduced legislation to expand benefits for first responders diagnosed with service-related cancers under the Department of Justice’s Public Safety Officers’ Benefits (PSOB) program. The program, established in 1976, currently covers those who suffer from 9/11-related cancers but not other occupationally connected cancers.

The proposed legislation, named the Honoring Our Fallen Heroes Act, is informed by a 2011 study conducted by the State University of Buffalo and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. This study found higher rates of brain cancer and Hodgkin’s lymphoma among law enforcement officers compared to the general population. The bill seeks to categorize cancer-related fatalities as line-of-duty deaths within the PSOB framework.

“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 Senator Cramer. He emphasized that families should not bear these burdens alone when first responders make such sacrifices.

Senator Klobuchar highlighted similar concerns: “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.” She stressed the importance of providing equal treatment for firefighters who succumb to cancer due to work-related exposure.

Support for this legislation comes from various public safety organizations including the International Association of Fire Fighters and Fraternal Order of Police. The act has also received backing from several senators across party lines.

“As Fire Chief of the Fargo Fire Department, I wholeheartedly support the Honoring Our Fallen Heroes Act,” stated a fire chief supporting this measure. He noted that it recognizes risks faced by those dedicated 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,” another statement read in support of this key legislation aimed at assisting fire service members and their families.

The bill was unanimously reported out of the Senate Judiciary Committee last Congress. It includes cosponsors such as Senators Jim Banks, John Barrasso, Marsha Blackburn, Richard Blumenthal, Chris Coons, John Cornyn, Ted Cruz, Tammy Duckworth, Dick Durbin, John Fetterman, Deb Fischer, Lindsey Graham, Mazie Hirono, John Hoeven, Jim Justice, Mark Kelly, Ed Markey, Alex Padilla, Mike Rounds, Adam Schiff, Jeanne Shaheen, Tim Sheehy,Tina Smith ,Mark Warner ,Elizabeth Warren ,Peter Welch ,and Sheldon Whitehouse.