U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer (R-NE) on Aug. 10 cosponsored bipartisan legislation that would require the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to improve the detection, prevention, and treatment of mental health issues among public safety officers.
“Firefighters and first responders risk their lives every day to protect members of their communities,” Sen. Fischer said. “Unfortunately, this work can come at a cost of mental health challenges. This bipartisan bill would expand resources for firefighters and our first responders to help prevent suicides, set up peer-to-peer counseling, and treat posttraumatic stress.”
The Helping Emergency Responders Overcome (HERO) Act, S. 2700, which Sen. Fischer introduced with bill sponsor U.S. Sen. Jacky Rosen (D-NV), specifically would support efforts by HHS to collect data and report to Congress biannually on first responder suicide rates, according to a bill summary provided by Sen. Fischer’s office.
Additionally, HHS would be required to identify risk factors and possible interventions and recommend interventions for further study; establish grants for peer-to-peer counseling for fire departments and emergency medical services agencies; and require HHS to develop and distribute best practices on the prevention and treatment of post-traumatic stress among first responders, the summary says.
“We must take steps to ensure the well-being of first responders in Nevada and across our nation by providing greater access to mental health resources and support,” said Sen. Rosen. “This important bipartisan legislation will provide greater insight into the challenges that first responders face, help better develop strategies to assist them, and increase the number of counseling resources available to our heroes.”
The International Association of Fire Fighters supports S. 2700, which has been referred for consideration to the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee.
S. 2700 is also the companion bill to H.R. 1480, which was introduced in March by U.S. Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) and Ami Bera (D-CA). The U.S. House of Representatives’ measure currently has a total of 52 cosponsors.