U.S. Senators John Curtis and several colleagues introduced the Wildland Firefighter Health and Safety Act on Sept. 21, 2026, to address long-overdue gaps in health and safety protections for federal wildland firefighters. The bipartisan, bicameral legislation seeks to mitigate long-term health risks caused by toxic exposures, including smoke, particulates, and PFAS chemicals, while streamlining medical benefits for those facing illness or injury.
Addressing Toxic Exposures
The legislation was announced by Senator John Curtis (R-UT) alongside cosponsors Alex Padilla (D-CA), Tim Sheehy (R-MT), and Jeff Merkley (D-OR). A companion bill has also been introduced in the House of Representatives, led by Representative Maxine Dexter (D-OR). During the announcement, Senator Curtis highlighted the personal impact of these hazards, noting a recent meeting with a former Provo fire department employee who received a cancer diagnosis likely linked to chemical exposure while on duty.
Impact of Utah Wildfires
The push for new safety standards comes as Utah faces a brutal wildfire season. As of Sept. 21, 2026, Senator Curtis reported that Utah has experienced 1,189 fires this year, resulting in more than 500,000 acres burned. The Senator also noted that five firefighters have lost their lives in these fires. The legislation aims to address the physical toll of these conditions, which Curtis described as rough and dangerous environments where firefighters lack even basic amenities like hotels during operations.
Proposed Legislative Measures
The Wildland Firefighter Health and Safety Act proposes several structural changes to federal safety protocols. The bill would establish a Wildland Firefighter Health Task Force and an Advisory Panel of outside stakeholders. This group would be responsible for coordinating exposure reduction, piloting new respiratory technologies, and developing an updated Wildland Firefighter Health Strategy every three years.
New Safety Standards
Under the proposed law, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) would be required to issue an interim final standard for wildland firefighter health protection. A final standard would be required within five years of a pilot report. Additionally, the bill would mandate paid duty time for firefighters to shower, decontaminate gear, and clean vehicles following exposure to smoke or PFAS chemicals. It also calls for designated decontamination areas and shower access at fire facilities.
Streamlining Medical Benefits
To address administrative delays in medical care, the act would create a dedicated claims unit within the Office of Workers' Compensation Programs. This unit would feature specialized training regarding firefighting exposures to improve coordination and reduce processing delays for benefits. Representative Maxine Dexter, a pulmonologist and critical care physician, stated that the legislation is necessary because protecting firefighter health must be an operational priority rather than an afterthought.
Broad Support for Reform
The legislation has garnered support from several national organizations, including the National Federation of Federal Employees (NFEE), the International Association of Firefighters, and the National Fire Protection Association. Other supporters include the Alliance for Wildfire Resilience, Megafire Action, and Firefighters United for Safety, Ethics, and Ecology (FUSEE). The bill aims to bridge a gap that has existed for nearly 30 years, as federal agencies have held data regarding these health risks while structural firefighters began using respiratory protection as far back as the 1970s.
Protecting Frontline Workers
The Wildland Firefighter Health and Safety Act represents a bipartisan effort to provide resources and safety equipment to those on the front lines of increasing wildfire threats. Senator Curtis emphasized that the bill is a commonsense step to protect those who sacrifice to keep Utah and the rest of the country safe from the dangers posed by modern wildfire environments.
