Alex Padilla U.S. Senator for California

Federal firefighters were prohibited from wearing respiratory protections while fighting wildfires, this bill would create the first-of-its-kind standard to change that

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), co-chair of the bipartisan Senate Wildfire Caucus, joined Senators Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) and John Curtis (R-Utah.) in introducing the Healthy Lungs for Heroes Act, bipartisan legislation to create the first-ever respiratory protection standards for wildland firefighters. 

For decades, federal firefighters were prohibited from wearing respiratory protection despite a growing body of evidence warning about long-term health risks of wildfire smoke. This bill would ensure the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) and U.S. Department of Interior (DOI) take long overdue steps to protect the health of these heroes. This legislation is also cosponsored by Senator Tim Sheehy (R-Mont.).

“Wildland firefighters deploy in the most extreme conditions to combat wildfires, preserve vital ecosystems, and save lives. These heroic men and women should not be forced to face long-term illness or premature death due to smoke exposure on the job. Our bill ensures that firefighters are given the critical protective equipment they need to stay healthy during the long, grueling hours on the front lines protecting us all,” said Senator Padilla. 

“Firefighters are heroes, and it’s critical that we do everything possible to ensure they’re protected from the health risks associated with wildfires. I am proud to introduce this long-overdue bipartisan bill with my Senate colleagues to minimize the toxic exposures that firefighters face when they’re bravely defending our communities and public lands. I’m going to push for Congress to pass this commonsense proposal,” said Senator Schiff.  

“Our wildland firefighters already face some of the most grueling, dangerous conditions imaginable. The least we can do is ensure access to materials that will protect them from the long-term health consequences of breathing toxic smoke. This bill ensures we bring common sense, science, and basic decency to how we equip our firefighters,” said Senator Curtis.  

Federal wildland firefighters often work 16-hour shifts in grueling conditions, inhaling toxic smoke. Despite this, federal wildland firefighters were prohibited from wearing respiratory protection despite evidence warning about health risks of wildfire smoke. Studies have shown exposure to wildfire smoke is linked to adverse health impacts, including more than a dozen kinds of cancer. The life expectancy of firefighters is 10 years less than the average adult due to lung damage.  

In September 2025, USFS posted guidance acknowledging for the first time that respiratory protections can protect firefighters against harmful particles in wildfire smoke and reversing a decades-long rule that banned federal wildland firefighters from wearing respiratory protection while performing wildland firefighting activities. The legislation reinforces this action to ensure the agencies develop respiratory protections for firefighters.  

The Healthy Lungs for Heroes Act specifically would: 

• Direct USFS and DOI to work with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) to develop appropriate respiratory protections that take into account the unique needs of wildland firefighters.  
• Direct USFS and DOI to provide protection to wildland firefighters and require its use when smoke exposure exceeds NIOSH and OSHA exposure limits. 

The bill is endorsed by National Federation of Federal Employees (NFFE), National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), International Association of Firefighters (IAFF), Grassroots Wildland Firefighters, FireGen Collaborative, and former U.S. Fire Administrator Dr. Lori Moore-Merrell.  

“We strongly support this legislation to modernize and standardize respiratory protection for wildland firefighters. As wildfire seasons grow longer and more dangerous, our federal wildland firefighters deserve safety standards that reflect the extreme conditions they face. Equally important is the bill’s mandate to determine appropriate equipment and regularly review and update all relevant PPE standards. This ensures that respiratory protection keeps pace with evolving science, operational demands, and the realities of modern fire behavior. Wildland firefighters risk their lives to protect our communities. Establishing clear exposure parameters and reliable respiratory protection is the least we owe to those who stand between our nation and catastrophic fire,” said Randy Erwin, National President, National Federation of Federal Employees (NFFE-IAM). 

“FireGen Collaborative strongly supports the Healthy Lungs for Heroes Act of 2025. As early career fire personnel, we understand the health disparities we face, and the importance of protecting our health to maintain our longevity and livelihoods. Yet, wildland firefighters face some of the most hazardous working conditions in public service, including chronic exposure to smoke and particulates. This legislation takes a crucial step to ensure that those who protect our communities are protected themselves, with strategies and evidence-based safety standards for protective equipment. We commend Congress for prioritizing the well-being of wildland firefighters and we urge swift passage of this critical measure,” said Ryan Reed, Program Director, FireGeneration Collaborative.

In the aftermath of the Southern California fires, Padilla introduced the bipartisan Wildland Firefighter Paycheck Protection Act to protect wildland firefighter pay and provide long-term workforce stability.

In 2023, Padilla and a bipartisan group of Senators urged Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) to avoid mass resignations within the wildland firefighter ranks by ensuring the prompt passage of their bipartisan legislation. Padilla and a bipartisan group of Senators also urged the Biden Administration to establish a special pay rate for federal wildland firefighters to prevent staffing shortages and strengthen wildfire response efforts in 2022. Following that request, the Administration announced a temporary pay raise. Padilla and the late Senator Dianne Feinstein previously called on the Administration to increase wildland firefighter pay in 2021.

Full text of the bill is available here.

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