Firefighters and families lobby Congress to recognise cancer as line-of-duty illness

Public safety bill seeks to expand death benefits

More than 50 firefighters, family members, and advocates travelled to Washington, D.C. to press lawmakers to back new legislation recognising occupational cancer as a line-of-duty illness.

According to the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF), the bipartisan ‘Honoring Our Fallen Heroes Act’ aims to amend the Public Safety Officers’ Benefits programme to cover work-related cancers, which it says are the leading cause of death among firefighters.

IAFF stated that the act, filed as S. 237 in the Senate and H.R. 1269 in the House, would ensure financial and death benefits for firefighters’ families are available in cases where cancer is linked to their occupational exposure.

General President of the IAFF, Edward Kelly, said: “These families have seen firsthand the devastating impacts occupational cancer has on the fire service. Fire fighters are losing their lives to occupational cancer at alarming rates, and it’s time for the federal government to finally recognize these sacrifices as occurring in the line of duty.”

The IAFF confirmed that over 150 members of Congress have already signed on to support the bill.

Bipartisan support building in House and Senate

The IAFF reported that, since its reintroduction earlier this year, 116 members of the U.S. House of Representatives have agreed to co-sponsor the legislation, including 83 Democrats and 33 Republicans.

In the Senate, 42 members are currently supporting the measure, consisting of 26 Democrats and 16 Republicans.

Key sponsors include Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Representative Mary Gay Scanlon (D-PA), and Representative Carlos Gimenez (R-FL).

IAFF said these lawmakers have worked closely with its staff and affected families to raise awareness and secure bipartisan support.

During the lobbying day, the group held meetings with Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Senator Adam Schiff (D-CA), Representative Jim Baird (R-IN), and Representative Betty McCollum (D-MN).

Personal stories shape the legislative campaign

Among the advocates was firefighter Josh Southerland of Hamilton County, Indiana Local 4416, who lost his father to kidney cancer in 2020.

Southerland said: “These are not isolated tragedies. We’re hoping to get this passed through so we can get it done for the families.”

He added: “So far, the legislators have been very receptive. They’ve been engaged, and asked plenty of questions, so I’m hoping for a positive outcome and a quick vote passing through this year.”

Senator Klobuchar addressed participants during the visit. According to the IAFF, she thanked firefighters and urged them “to not give up”, adding: “We have worked really hard on this legislation because we know what the facts are.”

Family of fallen firefighter joins Capitol Hill outreach

Cylina Cervantes travelled from California with her three children to speak in memory of her late husband, Miguel Cervantes, a firefighter with Rancho Cucamonga Local 2274.

Miguel Cervantes died in 2023 at the age of 45, after being diagnosed with Follicular Lymphoma in 2022, which later progressed to Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma.

Cervantes said: “This isn’t supposed to be my story. It still doesn’t feel real. My husband was a fire fighter for over 22 years. He worked for his dream department, got promoted to engineer medic, and even served as union vice president. We thought we had a lifetime ahead of us.”

She added: “Passing this would help support people like my hero who lost his life to cancer. We don’t want other families to go through what we did, without the support they need and deserve.”

The IAFF reported that Cervantes and her children visited congressional offices throughout the day to discuss the occupational cancer risks firefighters face.

IAFF campaigns for formal federal recognition

The IAFF said that the current Public Safety Officers’ Benefits programme does not recognise occupational cancer as a qualifying line-of-duty illness, creating a gap in federal protections for firefighters and their families.

The union said this lobbying initiative was part of a broader campaign to ensure federal law reflects the risks firefighters face from carcinogenic exposure on the job.

It added that the IAFF has been gathering personal accounts and data to support the legislation, which it says is necessary to match state-level recognition in many jurisdictions.

As more families share their experiences, the IAFF stated that it hopes growing public and political awareness will result in formal passage of the Honour Act during the current session of Congress.

Josh Southerland said: “It’s about honoring their sacrifice. And making sure the system honors it too.”

Firefighters and families lobby Congress to recognise cancer as line-of-duty illness: Summary

More than 50 firefighters, family members, and advocates visited Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C.

The International Association of Fire Fighters reported that the visit was to support the Honoring Our Fallen Heroes Act.

The Act proposes expanding the Public Safety Officers’ Benefits programme to include occupational cancer.

Firefighters’ cancer deaths are not currently recognised as line-of-duty under federal law.

IAFF General President Edward Kelly said federal recognition is long overdue.

The legislation is filed as S. 237 and H.R. 1269 in the Senate and House respectively.

Over 150 lawmakers have co-sponsored the bill, including Republicans and Democrats.

Senator Amy Klobuchar, Senator Kevin Cramer, Representative Mary Gay Scanlon, and Representative Carlos Gimenez are leading sponsors.

Josh Southerland and Cylina Cervantes were among those who shared personal stories with legislators.

Miguel Cervantes, a California firefighter, died in 2023 from a cancer linked to work exposure.

His family met lawmakers to highlight the need for federal recognition and support.

The IAFF said this is part of a broader campaign to close the gap in federal benefits.

Senator Klobuchar told attendees to “not give up” on the legislative effort.

The IAFF continues to gather support and testimony in favour of the bill.

It hopes for a formal vote on the legislation within the current congressional session.