Sen. Schiff Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Require Respiratory Protection for Wildland Firefighters
A senate committee must act next: committee consideration.
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Private contractors who fight wildfires under federal contracts would be covered by the same respiratory protection requirements as federal employees. This is significant because contract firefighters often lack the same safety protections as their government counterparts, yet face identical smoke exposure risks on the fireline.
“The term ``wildland firefighter'' means any person who participates in wildland firefighting activities under the direction of the Secretary or the Secretary of the Interior, including under a contract with the Secretary or the Secretary of the Interior.”
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
Sent to a congressional committee for expert review. The committee decides whether this bill moves forward.
Introduced in Senate
The bill was officially filed and given a number. It now enters the legislative queue.
A new bipartisan bill, the Healthy Lungs for Heroes Act, would require the U.S. Forest Service and the Interior Department to create and enforce rules for respiratory protection. Firefighters would be required to wear approved masks whenever smoke levels exceed limits set by OSHA and NIOSH.
The bipartisan Senate bill directs federal agencies to implement mandatory respiratory protection. For decades, federal firefighters have fought fires with only 'a bandana and a prayer,' but this bill mandates approved respirators when smoke toxins reach dangerous levels.
No votes or related bills recorded for this bill yet.
Document Type
Congressional Bill
Official Title
Healthy Lungs for Heroes Act of 2025
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