Congressman Kean introduces bipartisan bill to fund mental health support for first responders
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Rep. Tom Kean Jr., R-N.J., has introduced bipartisan legislation that would establish a federal grant program dedicated to providing mental health and wellness services for firefighters, emergency medical personnel and dispatchers.
Kean introduced the Lifeline for First Responders Act with Reps. Andrea Salinas, D-Ore.; Gabe Evans, R-Colo.; and Sharice Davids, D-Kan. The legislation would create a grant program aimed at addressing mental health challenges faced by emergency personnel.
“Emergency medical professionals sacrifice so much to serve our communities. This bill would provide critical access to mental health support for those on the front lines who are at risk of higher rates of trauma and mental health struggles than the general population. Ensuring they have the resources they need will strengthen the safety and well-being of both those in EMS agencies and the communities they serve,” said Congressman Kean.
The legislation would establish an EMS and First Responder Wellness Grant Program within the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Office of Emergency Medical Services.
Under the bill, $7.5 million per year would be authorized through fiscal year 2032 for evidence-based mental health and wellness services for fire, EMS and dispatch personnel.
The funding could be used for suicide prevention, intervention and postvention services; confidential counseling; peer support; behavioral health care; and support services for the spouses and children of first responders.
Grants could also support outreach, efforts to reduce stigma, education, training and technical assistance for fire departments, EMS agencies and 911 dispatch centers developing their own wellness programs.
“This has been Oregon’s most devastating wildfire season on record. Our firefighters and paramedics have felt every bit of it. Just as we ask our first responders to be there for us, we need to be there for them,” said Congresswoman Salinas. “Up to a quarter of firefighters suffer from PTSD, and 37 percent of fire and EMS professionals have contemplated suicide, yet there is no federal program to address it, the way there is for law enforcement. My bill changes that. I’m proud to introduce the Lifeline for First Responders Act with the support of Tualatin Valley Fire and Rescue and NAMI Oregon to ensure our emergency personnel get the support they deserve.”
Every day, first responders witness accidents, injuries and devastation, exposure that can lead to burnout, PTSD, depression and anxiety, according to Kean’s office.
Congress authorized the Law Enforcement Mental Health and Wellness Act in 2018 to support mental health prevention and treatment programs for law enforcement. According to Kean’s office, no comparable federal program currently exists for fire and EMS personnel.
“As a former law enforcement officer, I know firsthand the toll that serving on the front lines can take on our first responders and emergency personnel. For too long, stigma has kept too many of our nation’s heroes from seeking the support they need. I’m proud to co-lead the Lifeline for First Responders Act to help break down those barriers and ensure the men and women who answer the call for us every day have access to the mental health resources, peer support, and confidential care they deserve,” said Congressman Evans.
“Firefighters and EMS professionals in Kansas and across the country can face more accidents, injuries, and tragedy in a single shift than most of us will experience in a lifetime. But too often, we treat their mental health as an afterthought. This bipartisan effort would make long-overdue investments in mental health services for first responders and make sure they know they don’t have to struggle in silence,” said Representative Davids.
