For years, fire fighters have pressed the federal government to recognize occupational cancer as a line-of-duty death under the federal Public Safety Officers’ Benefits (PSOB) Program. Now, thanks to the IAFF’s sustained advocacy, survivors of fire fighters who die from job-related cancers will no longer be denied the benefits they’re owed.
On Dec. 19, 2025, President Donald Trump signed the IAFF-endorsed Honoring Our Fallen Heroes Act into law. The bipartisan bill adds 20 cancers to the PSOB Program and extends up to $461,000 in death and educational benefits to the survivors of fallen fire fighters. The bill advanced with support from Democrats, Republicans, and the White House.
Here’s how lawmakers are responding to the Honor Act becoming law:
“Our fire fighters 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 fire fighters who succumb to cancer from work-related exposure don’t receive the same treatment as others who die in the line of duty,” said Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn). “This bipartisan legislation will ensure that the Public Safety Officers’ Benefits Program covers service-related cancers—honoring the commitment we make to our fire fighters like Captain Paidar and other first responders who made the ultimate sacrifice.”
“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,” said Sen. Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.). “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.”
“Every day, fire fighters and police officers face exposure to deadly carcinogens that take a devastating toll long after the flames are out,” said Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon (D-P.A.). “When first responders develop cancer because of their service, they and their families deserve our full support. That’s why I spent the better part of this year working to advance my bill to close this benefits gap. In the end, we brought together 175 Democrats and Republicans over shared values: respect for service, care for grieving families, and the belief that our country must honor sacrifice not just in remembrance, but through tangible support. I am grateful to my colleagues who joined me in building bipartisan consensus for this bill, which required setting aside partisanship and focusing on our fundamental obligations to one another as a nation. I also want to extend a special thanks to the International Association of Fire Fighters for bringing the experiences of fire fighters and their families to the forefront, ensuring that this work stayed grounded in real lives and real sacrifice.”
“Our fire fighters are courageous public servants who put their lives on the line every single day. Our first responders go above and beyond the call of duty to protect the communities they serve, and this legislation will ensure that their families receive the benefits they rightfully deserve,” said Rep. Carlos Gimenez (R-FL), a retired IAFF member. “By including this provision in the final NDAA, Congress will honor the sacrifice of our fallen fire fighters, protect their families, and reaffirm our unwavering commitment to those who stand watch over our communities.”
“Fire fighters don’t just face danger in the moment—they carry the health risks of this job with them for a lifetime. We know their chronic exposure to cancer-causing toxins is real, and too many families have been denied the survivor benefits they’ve earned simply because that exposure can’t be tied to a single incident. The Honoring Our Fallen Heroes Act fixes that injustice. Our fallen fire fighters’ families deserve the same care, dignity, and support as those lost in any other line-of-duty tragedy, and I’m proud to stand with them,” said Rep. Nick LaLota (R-NY).
To learn more about the Honor Act, visit iaff.org.
