Healthy Lungs for Heroes Act of 2025 | ChamberLight
Bills · S 3183
IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS
Senate BillS 3183Labor and Employment
Healthy Lungs for Heroes Act of 2025
INTRO NOV 18· LAST ACTION NOV 18
READING
3MIN
COSPONSORS
4BIPARTISAN
READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL
NO VOTES YET · BE THE FIRST
Introduced only
LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS
STEP 2 / 8
Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed Senate
Passed House
Conference
To President
Became Law
WHAT THE BILL DOES
AI-written
Wildfires are a growing problem across the country, exposing firefighters to hazardous smoke that can cause serious long-term lung damage and other health problems. This bill directly addresses these occupational risks by ensuring that those on the front lines have appropriate breathing protection and that safety standards are specifically tailored to their dangerous work.
If this bill becomes law, wildland firefighters will have better and mandated protection for their respiratory health, potentially leading to fewer work-related illnesses and a higher quality of life. If it doesn't pass, firefighters will continue to face the same high levels of smoke exposure without guaranteed access to specialized breathing equipment or updated, specific safety standards, leaving their health vulnerable to the increasing severity of wildfire seasons.
KEY PROVISIONS
4AI-extracted
PROVISION 01
Requires the Secretary of Agriculture to develop a strategy within one year to make appropriate breathing protection commercially available for wildland firefighters and supporting staff when smoke exposure exceeds safe limits.
This ensures a concrete plan is established to provide crucial safety equipment to those on the front lines.
PROVISION 02
Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to determine the specific breathing protection equipment suitable for wildland firefighters and then requires its use by all firefighters and support staff when smoke levels are too high.
This guarantees that effective, expert-approved equipment is used and that its use is mandatory for firefighter safety.
PROVISION 03
Mandates periodic review of safety standards and breathing equipment for wildland firefighters, and requires the development of new, tailored smoke exposure limits if existing ones are deemed insufficient.
This ensures that safety measures remain current and specifically address the unique risks faced by wildland firefighters.
PROVISION 04
Requires the incorporation of standard NFPA 1984, which specifies respirators for wildland firefighting, into federal safety standards.
This integrates an established industry best practice into federal guidelines, promoting consistent and effective safety protocols.
Wildfires are a growing problem across the country, exposing firefighters to hazardous smoke that can cause serious long-term lung damage and other health problems. This bill directly addresses these occupational risks by ensuring that those on the front lines have appropriate breathing protection and that safety standards are specifically tailored to their dangerous work.
If this bill becomes law, wildland firefighters will have better and mandated protection for their respiratory health, potentially leading to fewer work-related illnesses and a higher quality of life. If it doesn't pass, firefighters will continue to face the same high levels of smoke exposure without guaranteed access to specialized breathing equipment or updated, specific safety standards, leaving their health vulnerable to the increasing severity of wildfire seasons.
KEY PROVISIONS
AI-extracted
high
Requires the Secretary of Agriculture to develop a strategy within one year to make appropriate breathing protection commercially available for wildland firefighters and supporting staff when smoke exposure exceeds safe limits.
This ensures a concrete plan is established to provide crucial safety equipment to those on the front lines.
high
Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to determine the specific breathing protection equipment suitable for wildland firefighters and then requires its use by all firefighters and support staff when smoke levels are too high.
This guarantees that effective, expert-approved equipment is used and that its use is mandatory for firefighter safety.
med
Mandates periodic review of safety standards and breathing equipment for wildland firefighters, and requires the development of new, tailored smoke exposure limits if existing ones are deemed insufficient.
This ensures that safety measures remain current and specifically address the unique risks faced by wildland firefighters.
med
Requires the incorporation of standard NFPA 1984, which specifies respirators for wildland firefighting, into federal safety standards.
This integrates an established industry best practice into federal guidelines, promoting consistent and effective safety protocols.
Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act
Develop a strategy to make commercially available appropriate respiratory personal protective equipment for wildland firefighters and supporting staff.
to carry out this section (safety standards for wildland firefighters)
discretionary
for each fiscal year
GLOSSARY
AI-written
Secretary of Agriculture
The head of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which oversees agencies like the Forest Service responsible for federal lands and some wildland firefighters.
Secretary of the Interior
The head of the U.S. Department of the Interior, which oversees agencies like the Bureau of Land Management and National Park Service, also responsible for federal lands and some wildland firefighters.
Wildland firefighter
Any person who fights wildfires, including federal employees or contractors working under the direction of the Secretary of Agriculture or the Secretary of the Interior.
Permissible exposure limits
The maximum amount of a harmful substance (like smoke) a person can be exposed to in the workplace without causing adverse health effects, as determined by health and safety agencies.
Respiratory personal protective equipment
Gear designed to protect a person's lungs from inhaling harmful substances, such as specialized masks or respirators used in smoky or hazardous environments.
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
A federal agency that conducts research and makes recommendations to prevent work-related injuries, illnesses, and deaths.
ACTION TIMELINE
2 EVENTS
NOV 18, 25
Introduced in Senate
INTROREFERRAL
NOV 18, 25
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
