In communities across America, fire departments face mounting challenges threatening their ability to protect the public. From aging equipment to chronic understaffing, many stations operate on razor-thin margins while responding to an ever-increasing volume of emergencies. As call volumes surge and operational costs rise, the gap between needs and resources widens, putting firefighters and communities […] The post State Firefighter Funding: Budget Allocations & Legislative Awareness appeared first on Firefighters and EMS Fund ..read more

Every spring, communities across America face crucial decisions that shape the future of their emergency services. This year, several small towns are putting fire department funding measures on their ballots, presenting voters with choices that could dramatically impact emergency response capabilities in their neighborhoods. The stakes are particularly high in 2025, as departments nationwide grapple […] The post 2025 Spring Ballot Measures & Referenda: How Voter Decisions Will Impact Firefighter Funding appeared first on Firefighters and EMS Fund ..read more

Just five days after taking office, President Trump visited Southern California to personally survey the damages brought by the wildfires, which had ravaged the area just a couple of weeks prior. After walking around Pacific Palisades, his mood could not have been more somber. “It is devastation. It really is an incineration”. Seeing the damage […] The post Los Angeles Wildfires: Funding Challenges and Firefighter Support appeared first on Firefighters and EMS Fund ..read more

The 2024 election was one of the biggest elections in American history. In addition to electing a new President, voters also chose new representation for local positions and voted yes or no on ballot initiatives that- more often than not- impact their lives more than the national races. While these local ballot items rarely get […] The post Firefighter & EMS Fund’s 2024 Election Efforts appeared first on Firefighters and EMS Fund ..read more

Firefighters are the unsung heroes of our communities, rushing into danger to protect lives and property. These brave men and women face not only immediate risks but also long-term health hazards from exposure to toxic substances. The silent killer of cancer stalks firefighters long after the flames are extinguished, a grim reminder of their selfless […] The post Presumptive Cancer Benefits in Tennessee appeared first on Firefighters and EMS Fund ..read more

As one of the hottest States in the Continental U.S., Texas is no stranger to the perils of fire and uncontrolled nature. As a result, first responders in Texas routinely deal with extreme exposure – both during a routine shift and in the years following their service. At first glance, “years” may seem like an […] The post A Deep Look at Presumptive Cancer Coverage in Texas for Firefighters appeared first on Firefighters and EMS Fund ..read more

The heroism of firefighters is deeply ingrained in the public’s collective consciousness. Films and newsreels show brave individuals rushing into burning structures and putting themselves in harm’s way for the greater good. In such acute emergencies, firefighters can typically count on swift medical assistance, should anything happen to them. But the hazards they face are […] The post Legislative Update: What Happened to Presumptive Coverage in New Hampshire appeared first on Firefighters and EMS Fund ..read more

On June 18th, 2024, firefighters across America earned a powerful reason to celebrate: by a landslide vote of 88 to 2, the U.S. Senate approved S.870, also known as the Fire Grants and Safety Act. As one of the final acts of the current legislative term, this bill will secure significant funds for fire and […] The post MAJOR Legislative Victory: AFG and SAFER Signed Into Law appeared first on Firefighters and EMS Fund ..read more

Firefighters are in the business of saving lives, even at the cost of their safety. This is often taken for granted: We’ve all seen the heroic scenes of first responders walking into a burning building to protect others. Should anything happen during the fire, firefighters can at least rely on prompt medical help and protection […] The post Status Report: Presumptive Cancer Coverage for Firefighters in Illinois appeared first on Firefighters and EMS Fund ..read more

In October 2023, Connecticut passed a new law establishing that a cancer diagnosis for firefighters is a “rebuttable presumption” in their occupation. This allows firefighters who receive a cancer diagnosis to access workers’ compensation benefits without spending years of litigation proving the cause of their illness. Now, firefighters who have been exposed to PFAS (per- […] The post Legislative Alert: Major Changes Coming to Presumptive Cancer Benefits in Connecticut appeared first on Firefighters and EMS Fund ..read more