The Honor Act is the start for firefighter kin
When I first put on my fire uniform as a young firefighter, no one talked much about cancer. We worried about the flames, not the invisible threats that followed us home.
It’s a very different story today. We now know the firefighters are there 9% more likely to be diagnosed with cancer and 14% more likely to die from it than the average American. The impacts of repeated exposure to smoke, carcinogens and hazardous chemicals can be devastating. Cancers linked to military service have led to disabilities, financial hardship and, in some cases, the ultimate sacrifice.
Then there are the families of the victims. Too many people have had to make ends meet under these circumstances. Dealing with grief is a burden that is heavy enough.
This is why it is important that Congress included the Honoring Our Fallen Heroes Act in the recently passed National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). For the first time, federal law will reflect our reality: cancer is one of the leading causes of death in the line of duty among firefighters.
The Honor Act opens the door for families of firefighters who have died from service-related cancers to receive benefits from the Public Safety Officer Benefits (PSOB) program. It’s a big problem. But it must be implemented quickly. What happens next will determine whether this legislation will help those who have already waited too long.
With the signing of the NDAA, the Department of Justice must review cancer-related claims under the new eligibility standards. This is a labor-intensive process that requires experienced assessors, clear guidelines and adequate staff. Currently, PSOB employees are already struggling with a backlog of claims. Without additional resources, families could face additional delays. Addressing this issue in the next appropriations bill would be a start.
New Yorkers know all too well the toll of service-related cancers. It took years of advocacy before 9/11-related illnesses were officially recognized as line-of-duty deaths.
In October 2025, the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF) honored 176 FDNY firefighters who died of 9/11-related cancers, adding their names to the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial. These firefighters gave their lives years after responding to the call, but their sacrifices were no less profound. For the more than 1,000 family members, firefighters and supporters gathered on Staten Island, the weight of this recognition was undeniable. Loved ones were finally recognized, sacrifices were officially honored and families had access to long-awaited emotional support.
Others are still waiting. Federal law now extends cancer benefits beyond those affected by 9/11; rapid implementation will bring long overdue relief.
We are grateful to those who fought tirelessly for the Honor Act, including fire hero families, fire organizations, and legislators on both sides of the aisle. Families across the country will finally be able to see their firefighter officially honored for the service-related illnesses that took their lives. This law ensures that sacrifice is recognized, families are supported, and firefighters who gave their all in the line of duty are never forgotten.
Let’s continue this momentum.
January is Firefighter Cancer Awareness Month. Public awareness remains important, even after a bill becomes law. Implementation does not happen without attention, oversight, and ongoing civic engagement. Elected officials must ensure that the DOJ has the resources it needs to get it right. Fire departments across the country and fire service organizations can help by ensuring their members know what benefits are now available and how to apply for them.
And firefighters themselves can help combat the prevalence of cancer by participating in research and prevention efforts. I encourage all members of the fire service to register for the voluntary program NIOSH Firefighter Cancer Registryour profession’s most ambitious effort to track cancer outcomes. The more firefighters who participate, the stronger our evidence – and our arguments – become.
The NFFF is preparing to support families when this law comes into force. OUR State Local Assistance Teams be prepared to help families navigate what can be a confusing system at one of the most difficult times of their lives. Formal recognition unlocks more than just federal benefits: it means lifelong access to peer support, counseling, scholarships and programs designed to help Fire Hero families build new paths forward.
The adoption of the law on honor was essential. Follow-up is crucial.
Clearing the backlog and ensuring new applications are processed efficiently is a matter of fairness. Firefighters and their families affected by service-connected cancers have already sacrificed too much. They deserve to act.
This law lays the foundations. Now let’s finish the job.
Stagnaro, a 40-year fire service veteran, is CEO of the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, a nonprofit organization created by Congress that honors America’s fallen fire heroes, supports their families and works to reduce preventable firefighter deaths and injuries.
