Press Releases

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-05) today introduced 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, firefighters 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. 

The bill is endorsed by the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF), Congressional Fire Services Institute (CFSI), Fraternal Order of Police (FOP), as well as 10 other organizations representing first responders. The bill is co-led by Representatives Carlos Gimenez (FL-28), Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01), and Gabe Amo (RI-01).

"Every day, firefighters and police officers face exposure to deadly carcinogens that take a devastating toll long after the flames are out,” said Rep. 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."

The Public Safety Officers' Benefits (PSOB) program provides benefits to the survivors of firefighters, law enforcement officers, and other first responders who are killed as a result 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.

“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. 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.”

“Every day, firefighters in Rhode Island and across the country answer the call, risking their lives to keep us safe,” said Rep. 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.”

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).

“Cancer is ravaging the fire service and is the leading cause of line of duty deaths,” said IAFF General President Edward A. Kelly. “Medical studies and commonsense prove this epidemic comes from our exposures to toxins in smoke, vehicle exhaust, and even our own protective gear. In 2022, the International Agency for Research on Cancer found this evidence so clear that they classified the occupation of firefighting itself as a Group 1 carcinogen – their highest and most dangerous level. However, when fire fighters succumb to job-related cancer, their families are left with nothing and denied critically-needed death benefits. It is unconscionable to abandon fallen fire fighters’ families when they need help most. The IAFF applauds Representatives Gimenez and Scanlon for standing with fire fighters’ families and ensuring they don’t fall through the cracks. The Honor Act will rightfully recognize our cancer deaths as line of duty deaths and provide families with sorely needed death benefits. We urge Congress to pass the Honor Act immediately and send a lifeline to families who have already sacrificed a loved one for our nation.”

"Firefighters face an increased risk of cancer due to the hazardous nature of their jobs. The Public Safety Officers' Benefits Program should reflect the scope of the risks faced by our nation’s first responders, including occupational cancer. We look forward to working with Reps. Scanlon, Gimenez, Fitzpatrick, and Amo to ensure that firefighters and their families receive the benefits they need and deserve,” said Bill Webb, Executive Director of the Congressional Fire Services Institute.

“Our law enforcement officers are in harm’s way every day and are exposed not only to physical threats, but also unseen or unknown threats while operating in potentially hazardous environments,” said FOP National President Patrick Yoes. “Law enforcement officers who are exposed to known carcinogens and who contract cancer that ends their lives or disables them should be considered to have sustained a personal injury in the line of duty for the purposes of the Public Safety Officers’ Benefits (PSOB) program.  This legislation addresses this stark reality and would correctly categorize duty-related cancer fatalities as a line of duty death under the PSOB program and acknowledge their sacrifice in service to their communities.  Most importantly, the bill ensures that the families of fallen officers receive the benefits to which they are entitled.” 

“I thank Representative Scanlon and the bill’s cosponsors for re-introducing the Honoring Our Fallen Heroes Act,” said Chief Josh Waldo, the President and Board Chair of the International Association of Fire Chiefs. “Cancer remains a major cause of death for firefighters across the nation. It is time for the nation to recognize the families that have lost loved ones due to cancer caused by modern-day firefighting. We owe them a debt of gratitude and should take care of them.” 

“The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation expresses our resolute support of the Honoring Our Fallen Heroes Act,” said Victor Stagnaro, Chief Executive Officer of the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation. “Multiple studies have shown that firefighters have an increased risk of cancer compared to the general public. These men and women put their lives on the line every day to protect their communities, and as a result, are exposed to a variety of carcinogens through the very nature of their work, including exposure to hazardous materials, toxic smoke, and other environmental factors. The federal government must recognize their sacrifice, and the families of public safety officers who die or are permanently disabled as a result of occupational cancer should have access to benefits provided by the Public Safety Officers’ Benefits program.  We commend Representatives Scanlon, Gimenez, Fitzpatrick, and Amo for championing this important legislation,” 

“Too often battles with occupational related cancer leave first responders permanently disabled or leave their survivors financially struggling after their passing,” said Steve Hirsch, Chair, National Volunteer Fire Council. “I applaud Reps. Scanlon, Fitzpatrick, Gimenez, and Amo for introducing the Honoring Our Fallen Heroes Act of 2025. This important legislation will provide much needed support to first responders and their families as they face the aftermath of occupational cancer by providing coverage for certain exposure-related cancers under the Public Safety Officers Benefit program.”

“Our nation’s public safety officers put their lives at risk every day.  Sometimes unnoticed are the officers pulling families from burning cars or saving children from house fires or those responding to disasters such as the wildfires in Los Angeles,” Bill Johnson, Executive Director, National Association of Police Organizations. “These acts of heroism often have long-term consequences for the officers, including exposure-related cancers. The Honoring Our Fallen Heroes Act recognizes these as line-of-duty injuries under the Public Safety Officers’ Benefits Program and ensures that officers suffering from these cancers and their families get the benefits they have earned.  We stand with Representatives Scanlon, Gimenez, Fitzpatrick, and Amo in support of this bill and thank her for championing this important issue.”

"On behalf of the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association, I want to express our deepest appreciation to Representative Scanlon for reintroducing the ‘Honoring Our Fallen Heroes Act.’ This critical legislation is a vital step in ensuring that law enforcement officers who are diagnosed with cancer due to their service receive the support and benefits they deserve. Officers put their lives on the line every day to protect our communities, and this bill acknowledges the unique risks they face. Passing this bill will provide peace of mind to those who have sacrificed so much in the line of duty. We stand with Representative Scanlon in advocating for this important protection for our brave men and women in uniform," said National President Mathew Silverman of the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association (FLEOA).

“For more than twenty years, we have seen firsthand the devastating toll that cancer has taken among the heroes who responded to the 9/11 attacks,” said President Vincent Vallelong of the NYPD Sergeants Benevolent Association. “The ongoing health crisis among 9/11 responders has also brought to light other serious and long-term health risks that public safety officers across this country face from job-related exposures to known carcinogens. That is why the SBA is proud to join with Rep. Scanlon in advocating for swift passage of the ‘Honoring Our Fallen Heroes Act’ to ensure PSOB benefits for the families of those who succumb to job-related cancers.”

“Our nation is losing far too many firefighters to occupational cancer and we must support the families they leave behind. I appreciate all of the bipartisan support for the HONOR Act and urge swift passage,” said Jim Pauley, President and CEO, National Fire Protection Association.

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