U.S. Senators John Curtis (R-UT) and Jeff Merkley (D-OR) introduced the Honoring Fallen Wildland Firefighters Act, bipartisan legislation to expand death benefits of fallen firefighters to match those to fallen members of the military, a significant change from the current maximum death benefit.
“Wildland firefighters willingly put themselves in harm’s way to protect our homes, communities, and public lands. When one of these brave men or women makes the ultimate sacrifice, we have an obligation to stand behind the family they leave behind,” said Senator Curtis. “The current death benefit does not reflect the sacrifice of a fallen firefighter or the debt we owe their loved ones. Our bipartisan bill ensures these families receive the same level of support we provide to the families of fallen military servicemembers.”
“Wildland firefighters put their lives on the fireline to protect our communities, and we must honor these heroes who make the ultimate sacrifice while keeping us safe,” said Senator Merkley. “Our Honoring Fallen Wildland Firefighters Act expands death benefits to the survivors of fallen firefighters, ensuring their families will be taken care of if their loved one is killed in the line of duty. We must do all we can to support our firefighters who risk so much in their service to communities in Oregon and across the nation.”
Background:
The bipartisan Honoring Fallen Wildland Firefighters Act would:
- Amend the Federal Employees’ Compensation Act to expand death benefits of fallen firefighters to $100,000 from the current maximum death benefit of $10,000, matching the benefits provided to fallen military servicemembers; and
- Ensure any individual serving as a wildland firefighter is eligible for this death benefit—whether they are a contractor or federal, state, or local employee.
Curtis and Merkley have led a series of bipartisan bills to tackle the worst impacts of wildfires, including the Senate-passed Wildfire Emissions Prevention Act to streamline the use of prescribed burns and the Wildland Firefighter Health and Safety Act to address gaps in health and safety protections that wildland firefighters receive.
The bill is supported by the National Federation of Federal Employees (NFFE), Wildland Firefighter Foundation, National Association of State Foresters, Grassroots Wildland Firefighters, National Alliance of Forest Owners, National Wildfire Suppression Association, Climate and Wildfire Institute, American Forest Resource Council, United Aerial Firefighters Association, and Firefighters United for Safety, Ethics, and Ecology (FUSEE).
“Every day, wildland firefighters risk their lives to defend American communities from the wildfire crisis,” said Randy Erwin, NFFE National President. “As wildfires become increasingly dangerous and more frequent, the risk of being killed in the line of duty also rises for these brave men and women. It is important that every wildland firefighter has the peace of mind that if they pass away while on the job, their family will be taken care of. Thank you to Senators Merkley and Curtis for your commitment to honoring those who make the ultimate sacrifice.”
“Wildland firefighters put their lives on the line to protect communities and public lands from increasingly dangerous wildfires. When a firefighter does not make it home, their family should not have to face financial uncertainty on top of unimaginable loss. The Honoring Fallen Wildland Firefighters Act recognizes the tremendous risks these firefighters take and provides their families with the support they deserve,” said Timothy Ingalsbee, Executive Director of FUSEE.
A one-pager on the bill is available here, and the full bill text is available here.
