Four senators introduced the Wildland Firefighter Health and Safety Act, a bipartisan bill aimed at gaps in medical and safety protection for federal crews who fight fires in the wild.
Sens. Alex Padilla of California and Jeff Merkley of Oregon, both Democrats, joined Republicans John Curtis of Utah and Tim Sheehy of Montana. Rep. Maxine Dexter, an Oregon Democrat and physician, is leading companion legislation in the House.
The sponsors said agencies have documented smoke and other job hazards for nearly 30 years, while structural firefighters have used respiratory protection since the 1970s. The new bill would create a wildland firefighter health task force and an outside advisory panel, require OSHA to write an interim health standard and a final rule within five years of a pilot report, and mandate paid time during operations to shower, clean gear, and wash vehicles after smoke or PFAS exposure. It would also require decontamination areas and showers at fire facilities and a specialized workers’ compensation unit for firefighting claims.
“Every day, wildland firefighters face tremendous health risks at work, where they protect our communities, defend the environment, and save lives,” said Senator Padilla. “As California faces an increasing threat from devastating wildfires, we have a responsibility to make sure the heroes fighting these fires have the resources, safety equipment, and support needed to do their jobs safely. The Wildland Firefighter Health and Safety Act takes an important step toward closing longstanding gaps in health and safety protections, giving our wildland firefighters the equipment, resources, and support they need to stay healthy while they brave dangerous conditions to save lives.”
“Utah’s wildland firefighters put their health and safety on the line every day to protect our communities. We owe it to them to look beyond the immediate danger and address the lasting impacts of smoke and other harmful exposures,” said Senator Curtis. “This bipartisan bill is a commonsense step toward giving our firefighters the protection and support they deserve.”
“As climate chaos fuels an even more ferocious fire season, our wildland firefighters are on the front lines, battling deadly blazes to protect our communities,” said Senator Merkley. “These heroes deserve adequate resources and strong protections from the dangers posed by smoke exposure and other contaminants. Our bipartisan Wildland Firefighter Health and Safety Act is critical to ensuring these firefighters get the support they need because they put their lives on the line to keep us safe, and it’s our job to step up to keep them safe.”
“Wildland firefighters put their lives on the line every day to protect our communities,” said Senator Sheehy. “For too long, these brave men and women have been under-resourced and exposed to long-term health risks from smoke inhalation. Our bill tackles these problems head-on, leveraging expertise from federal agencies, medical experts, and wildland firefighters on the ground to test new respiratory technologies, reduce toxic exposures, and implement strong safety standards.”
Dexter said she has treated firefighters for acute smoke injuries as well as chronic lung disease and cancer. “It is devastating, and it is preventable,” she said. “Our wildland firefighters deserve more than our gratitude—they deserve a government that protects them as fiercely as they protect all of us.”
Unions and firefighter groups, including NFFE, the International Association of Firefighters, and Grassroots Wildland Firefighters, endorsed the measure. Introduction does not guarantee passage.
