Federal firefighters to get long-sought benefits

Legislation will ease workers’ comp process in case of illness

Federally employed firefighters, EMTs and others look likely to have access to long-sought health benefits by the end of the year. 

The Federal Firefighters Fairness Act, which would provide financial aid, medical benefits and other assistance to help firefighters and other first responders to fires who develop heart or lung disease or certain cancers after five years on the job, will very likely reach President Joe Biden’s desk in the next few weeks. It will reduce previously existing obstacles to federal workers' compensation for federally employed firefighters who contract certain illnesses.