In the 2021 Legislative Session, Senator Jeff Howe (R-Rockville) authored the Hometown Heroes Act, which created the Hometown Heroes Assistance Program, the most comprehensive firefighter well-being initiative in the nation. The bill addressed the alarmingly high incidence of cancer, cardiac issues, and emotional trauma facing over 22,000 firefighters across the state. It also established a critical care policy option for all firefighters diagnosed with cancer or cardiac issues. Modifications were made to the bill in 2022 to define “critical illness,” and to clarify eligibility and start date of benefits. 

Today’s bill makes an additional technical change that will clarify the scope of the program, and ensure firefighters still have access to these supports.

“This has been an extremely important program for our firefighters, and we want to ensure its continued success, which is why today’s bill makes a small change to clarify the scope of the program,” said Howe. “We’re working to retain the brave men and women who step up to keep our communities safe, and this language ensures they retain access to these life-saving benefits.” 

The Hometown Heroes Assistance Program currently dedicates $4 million per year to ensure every firefighter has access to education, prevention and care needed to handle a cardiac, emotional trauma or cancer diagnosis. 

The bill passed last month in the House with unanimous bipartisan support, and passed today in the Senate unanimous bipartisan support. It now heads to the Governor’s desk.