Proposed Legislation: Firefighter PFAS Injury Compensation Act (S.4013/ H.R.7788)

Status: In committee. (Note: The reason we need to spread the word and make calls is because we don’t want the bill to die in committee – we want it to get to the House and Senate floors for a vote!)

Purpose: To establish a fund (like the 9/11 Fund) for firefighters who have 2 years in the fire service and have been diagnosed with (or have died from) diseases associated with PFAS. This fund would allow them to recover compensation if their claim is approved with awards beginning at $250,000 for cancer ($50,000 for other non-cancerous diseases) and increasing awards with years of service. For example, a firefighter with 10 or more years in the fire service who has been diagnosed with prostate cancer could potentially recover up to $1 million.

Reminder: Every firefighter is exposed to PFAS so when you’re encouraging your fellow firefighters to call their representatives – remind them that if they are ever diagnosed with one of these diseases, they will be able to apply for compensation. This is insurance for the future and their families. It is also a lot easier, less expensive and quicker than litigation.

Diseases Covered: As currently written, the fund would cover cancers of the kidney, testicle, liver, prostate, bladder, pancreas, breast, colon, and ovary; thyroid diseases; ulcerative colitis; AND any other illness or health condition, as the Secretary of Health & Human Services determines appropriate. This legislation allows for flexibility and would likely cover additional cancers not listed above.

Timing: Now! It’s an election year and we only have about 6 months left for Congress to pass legislation before the election so this is the time to make our calls and get this passed.

 Action Items:

1. Call or email your US Senators and Reps today and respectfully urge them to pass this bill in 2024. This only takes 2 mins at most.
2. You can find the contact info for your 1 House of Representative here and your 2 US Senators here;
3. Call both their state office AND their Washington DC office. Also, good to email them as well.
4. For what to say, see script below in yellow.
5. Spread the word with the email and social media templates below – you can copy and paste the info in a new email, text or on social media. 

 Script to call or email your US Senators and Representative: 

If you are a firefighter: Hi - I’m a constituent from [zip code]. My name is ____________ and I am calling to strongly urge Senator/Representative _________ to pass the Firefighter PFAS Injury Compensation Act (S.4013/ H.R.7788) in this election year. This would mean a lot to me and my family as I have been diagnosed with cancer or [other disease]. OR [ I have a lot of firefighter friends who have been diagnosed with cancer].

If you are a friend or family member of a firefighter: Hi - I’m a constituent from [zip code]. My name is ____________ and I am calling to strongly urge Senator/Representative _________ to pass the Firefighter PFAS Injury Compensation Act (S.4013/ H.R.7788) in this election year. This would mean a lot to me and my family/community as my firefighter (mom/dad/sister/brother etc) has been diagnosed with cancer [or I know a lot of firefighter friends who have been diagnosed with cancer].

If you just want to support firefighters: Hi - I’m a constituent from [zip code]. My name is ____________ and I am calling to strongly urge Senator/Representative _________ to pass the Firefighter PFAS Injury Compensation Act (S.4013/ H.R.7788) in this election year. Firefighters are there for all of us in our worst moments as first responders and we should be there for them. Far too many firefighters get cancer and this is one way to support them and their families like they support us and our communities.

CLICK THE LINK : Letter of Support for Firefigher PFAS Injury Compenstion Act

Find you senators’ contact info here: 

https://www.senate.gov/senators/senators-contact.htm

Find your representative’s contact info here: 

https://www.house.gov/representatives/find-your-representative

NY Post: 

https://nypost.com/2024/03/21/us-news/sen-booker-rep-soto-float-bill-to-compensate-firefighters-exposed-to-toxic-chemicals/?utm_campaign=iphone_nyp&utm_source=mail_app

Full text of bill:

 https://www.booker.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/PFAS%20Firefighters%20Bill.pdf