ND North News

The U.S. Senate has approved the Honoring Our Fallen Heroes Act, a bipartisan bill introduced by Senators Kevin Cramer (R-ND) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN). The legislation aims to expand the Department of Justice’s Public Safety Officers’ Benefits (PSOB) program to include first responders who die or become disabled due to service-related cancers. Currently, the PSOB program covers those affected by 9/11-related cancers but does not provide benefits for other service-related cancer cases among first responders.

Senator Kevin Cramer stated, “Our first responders epitomize courage and selfless sacrifice, confronting both the immediate perils of their duty – which are extreme – and the lingering health risks associated with their service. Their exposure to dangerous carcinogens happens on our behalf. When these heroes make the ultimate sacrifice, their families should not have to bear these burdens alone. I’m grateful my Senate colleagues passed this important legislation.”

Senator Amy Klobuchar commented, “Our firefighters put their lives on the line every day to keep us safe, often exposing themselves to carcinogens that can have lethal long-term effects. It’s unacceptable that firefighters who succumb to cancer from work-related exposure or become permanently and totally disabled don’t receive the same treatment as others who die in the line of duty. This bipartisan legislation will ensure that the Public Safety Benefits Program covers service-related cancers— honoring the commitment we make to our firefighters like Captain Paidar and other first responders who made the ultimate sacrifice. We must uphold our promise to care for their families.”

The Honoring Our Fallen Heroes Act was unanimously reported out of the Senate Judiciary Committee on May 20. The measure has received support from several major public safety organizations such as the International Association of Fire Fighters, Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association, Fraternal Order of Police, International Association of Fire Chiefs, National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, National Fire Protection Association, National Volunteer Fire Council, and others.