Nashua, New Hampshire – Congresswoman Maggie Goodlander is cosponsoring the Honoring Our Fallen Heroes Act, H.R. 1269, bipartisan and bicameral legislation to expand federal support for the families of firefighters and other first responders who pass away or become permanently disabled from service-related cancers. Currently, the Public Safety Officer Benefits (PSOB) program — which provides benefits to first responders injured in the line of duty and to their families — only extends protection to first responders suffering from a narrow list of injuries and illnesses. This bill would expand PSOB coverage to more first responders and their families, including those like the family of Nashua Fire Rescue Lt. Jessica Wyman.
Nashua Fire Rescue Lt. Jessica Wyman dedicated her life to serving the people of New Hampshire. In the fall of 2022, Jess became ill and was treated for pneumonia. When treatment throughout the fall failed, a chest CT in early January 2023 revealed she had stage 4 lung cancer that had metastasized to her bones, caused by occupational cancer from her 26 years as a firefighter. Jess bravely underwent chemotherapy and radiation for eleven months, enduring severe pain and spasms in her lower back. Jess lost her battle on Tuesday, November 28, 2023. Under current law, Jess’s family is not able to receive benefits from the PSOB program because the list of accepted injuries does not include occupational cancer. This legislation would extend the program to offer benefits to the families of first responders like Jess.
“Our Fire Fighters put their lives on the line every day to keep our communities safe. They run into burning homes. They are on the frontlines of fighting our opioid epidemic. They are exposed to toxic chemicals every single day. Fire Fighters and first responders are the best of America — they deserve our support and so do their families and loved ones,” said Congresswoman Goodlander. “I am proud to support this common sense bipartisan legislation that will cut red tape for the loved ones of fallen heroes like Lieutenant Jess Wyman. I am forever grateful to Lieutenant Chris Wyman for his own service to New Hampshire and extraordinary courage and tireless advocacy in this effort.”
“As Fire Fighters, we understand that encountering fatal risks is an inherent part of our profession. We acknowledge the possibility of losing our lives in various ways during any incident, including the risk of cancer. Fire Fighters should receive equal consideration whether they die from incident-related injuries or cancer caused by the toxic exposures at the incidents we respond to. The PSOB program needs to be updated to reflect all of the hazards Fire Fighters and all public safety officers face daily while serving their communities,” said Chris Wyman, surviving spouse of Jess Wyman. “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. In 11 months, Jess’s medical expenses exceeded over half a million dollars. No family who has lost someone in the line of duty should be left behind.”
You can read Chris’s full letter to Congress and Jess’s story here.
The Honoring our Fallen Heroes Act would expand access to federal support for the families of firefighters and first responders who pass away from cancer caused by carcinogenic exposure during their service. The bill would also extend disability benefits in cases where these first responders become permanently and totally disabled due to cancer.
The legislation is endorsed by the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF), Association of State Criminal Investigative Agencies (ASCIA), Congressional Fire Services Institute (CFSI), Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association (FLEOA), Fraternal Order of Police (FOP), International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC), Major County Sheriffs of America (MCSA), Metropolitan Fire Chiefs Association (Metro Chiefs), National Association of Police Organizations (NAPO), National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF), National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), National Narcotics Officers’ Associations Coalition (NNOAC), National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC), and the Sergeants Benevolent Association of the NYPD.
Congresswoman Goodlander has dedicated her life to serving New Hampshire and our country. Goodlander served as an intelligence officer in the United States Navy Reserve for over a decade.
