NASHUA – U.S. Congresswoman Maggie Goodlander (D-NH) recently met with members of Nashua Fire Rescue to promote the Honoring Our Fallen Heroes Act which she is cosponsoring.
The legislation would bolster federal support for firefighters and first responders who have died or are permanently disabled as a result of service-related cancers. The current Public Safety Officer Benefits program only applies to a limited list of injuries and illnesses.
The legislation would be particularly beneficial for the family of Nashua Fire Rescue Lt. Jessica Wyman, who died of Stage 4 lung cancer in November 2023. At the time of her death, Wyman had been with the Fire Department for 26 years.
Wyman began being treated for pneumonia in the fall of 2022. However, by January 2023, the treatment was determined to be ineffective and Wyman went for a chest x-ray. The results of the x-ray showed that cancer had spread into her bones and she spent 11 months enduring grueling rounds of chemotherapy and radiation.
The Wyman family is not eligible for benefits under the current PSOB program as occupational cancer is not listed as an accepted illness.
However, Goodlander and her colleagues on Capitol Hill are looking to make a change.
“Our firefighters put their lives on the line every day to keep our communities safe. They run into burning homes. They are on the front lines of fighting our opioid epidemic. They are exposed to toxic chemicals every single day. Firefighters and first responders are the best of America — they deserve our support and so do their families and loved ones,” said Goodlander. “I am proud to support this common sense bipartisan legislation that will cut red tape for the loved ones of fallen heroes like Lt. Jess Wyman.”
Wyman’s husband, Lt. Christopher Wyman, agreed that the PSOB program needs to be revamped.
“The benefits provided in the PSOB program can significantly help families manage the high costs of medical care and loss of wages associated with a cancer diagnosis and subsequent death of a loved one,” he said. “In 11 months, Jess’ medical expenses exceeded over half a million dollars. No family who has lost someone in the line of duty should be left behind.”
