The Congressional Fire Services Institute (CFSI) is pleased that the Honoring Our Fallen Heroes Act (S.237/H.R.1269) has become law as part of the Fiscal Year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act.
The Honoring Our Fallen Heroes Act expands eligible conditions under the federal Public Safety Officers’ Benefits (PSOB) Program to include certain cancers that result in death or permanent disability and are linked to service as a firefighter or other first responder. While cancer is a leading cause of death among firefighters, the PSOB Program did not reflect that reality until now. This bipartisan, CFSI-supported legislation represents a significant step forward in ensuring that federal law more accurately aligns with the risks faced by firefighters and other public safety officers in the line of duty.
The PSOB Program, run by the Department of Justice’s Bureau of Justice Assistance, provides death and education benefits to survivors of fallen public safety officers, as well as disability benefits to qualified public safety officers.
CFSI extends its sincere appreciation to the bill sponsors and co-leads:
- Senator Amy Klobuchar, sponsor of the Senate bill and a Congressional Fire Services Caucus Co-Chair,
- Senator Kevin Cramer, Lead Republican on the Senate bill and a Congressional Fire Services Caucus member,
- Representative Mary Gay Scanlon, sponsor of the House bill,
- Representative Carlos Giménez, an original cosponsor of the House bill and a Congressional Fire Services Caucus member,
- Representative Brian Fitzpatrick, an original cosponsor of the House bill and a Congressional Fire Services Caucus Co-Chair, and
- Representative Gabe Amo, an original cosponsor of the House bill and a Congressional Fire Services Caucus member.
CFSI also recognizes our fellow national fire and emergency services organizations, advocates, and families who have worked to ensure that occupational cancer is considered in the PSOB program.
CFSI looks forward to continued collaboration with Congress to advance policies that support firefighters, emergency services personnel, and their families.