A bipartisan bill introduced in the United States Senate aims to create the first-ever respiratory protection standards for wildland firefighters. 

The Healthy Lungs for Heroes Act—introduced by US senators John Curtis (R-Utah) and Adam Schiff (D-Calif)—proposes federal agencies take steps to protect the health of firefighters, according to a news release from Curtis’s office.

The Healthy Lungs for Heroes Act specifically would: 

  • Direct the US Forest Service (USFS) and the US Department of Interior (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. 

According to Curtis, federal wildland firefighters often work 16-hour shifts in grueling conditions, inhaling toxic 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.  

“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.  

“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. 

This legislation is also co-sponsored by Senator Tim Sheehy (R-Mont.) and Alex Padilla (D-Calif.).

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.