October 5, 2026 9:40 a.m. 

On Monday, U.S. Senators Democrat Jeff Merkley of Oregon and Republican John Curtis of Utah announced the introduction of the Honoring Fallen Wildland Firefighters Act.

A release said the legislation would expand death benefits of fallen firefighters to match up to $100,000 provided to fallen members of the military. That would be a significant change from the maximum death benefit of $10,000 currently available for survivors of federally employed wildland firefighters killed in the line of duty.

The act would:

• Amend the Federal Employees’ Compensation Act to establish a new death benefit for individuals serving as wildland firefighters, on par with that available to members of the military.
• Ensure any individual serving as a wildland firefighter is eligible for this death benefit—whether they are a contractor or federal, state, or local employee.

 

The Honoring Fallen Wildland Firefighters Act is supported by the National Federal of Federal Employees, Wildland Firefighters Foundation, and a number of other organizations.