WASHINGTON — Lawmakers are working to expand federal support for firefighters and first responders who develop cancer as a result of their service.
U.S. Sens. Amy Klobuchar and Kevin Cramer have reintroduced the Honoring Our Fallen Heroes Act, which would extend benefits under the 1976 Public Safety Officer Benefits program to include occupational cancer.
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The program currently provides benefits to families of first responders for line-of-duty deaths or injuries caused by physical trauma, heart attacks, strokes or mental health conditions. If passed, the legislation would provide federal support for the families of firefighters and other first responders who die from or are disabled by cancers linked to their work.
The legislation honors Michael Paidar, a St. Paul fire captain who died from leukemia in 2020. His widow, Julie Paidar, successfully advocated for Minnesota to extend line-of-duty benefits to their family in the wake of his death.
“Because of her efforts, the Minnesota Department of Public Safety awarded line-of-duty benefits to their family. It marked the first time that Minnesota extended death benefits to the family of a firefighter who died from cancer,” said Klobuchar, a Democrat from Minnesota. Cramer is a Republican from North Dakota.
Klobuchar announced that the bill has passed out of the Judiciary Committee and is now gathering additional support.
Occupational cancer remains the leading cause of death among firefighters.
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