Hinds Today
Hyde-Smith highlights expanded benefits for families of fallen or disabled first responders
By Hinds Today
U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) has highlighted recent legislative changes that expand federal benefits for families of firefighters and other first responders affected by service-related cancers. This announcement comes ahead of National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day.
Hyde-Smith cosponsored the Honoring Our Fallen Heroes Act (S.237), which updates the federal Public Safety Officers’ Benefits (PSOB) program to recognize occupational cancer as a line-of-duty death or disability. The change addresses the increased cancer risk faced by firefighters and other first responders due to exposure to carcinogens.
“The Honoring Our Fallen Heroes Act recognizes that the lives and health of our first responders, whether law enforcement, firefighters, or EMTs, are deeply affected by exposure to dangerous contaminants and chronic carcinogens. Today, these first responders and their families will have better access to federal benefits,” Hyde-Smith said. “I consider enactment of this law as a showing of our appreciation for those who put their lives on the line every day to protect our communities.”
The new law, enacted in December as part of a broader legislative package, allows families of first responders who die or become permanently disabled from service-related cancers to receive support from the PSOB program. Previously, eligibility was limited to physical injuries sustained in duty or deaths from heart attacks, strokes, certain mental health conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder, and illnesses related to September 11.
Several organizations representing first responders supported the legislation. These include the International Association of Fire Fighters, Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association, Fraternal Order of Police, Major County Sheriffs of America, Metropolitan Fire Chiefs Association, National Association of Police Organizations, Congressional Fire Services Institute, National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, National Fire Protection Association, National Narcotics Officers’ Associations’ Coalition and the National Volunteer Fire Council.
Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) and Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) led sponsorship efforts for S.237 in the Senate with broad bipartisan backing.