Contract firefighters are vital to the safety of our communities, and especially as we see an increasing number of drought-related wildfires across the West, these contract firefighters deserve the same benefits as the federal employees fighting right beside them. This bill would expand the definition of a “public safety officer” to ensure that families of contracted firefighters receive sufficient compensation in the unfortunate event of a death or traumatic injury in the line of duty. The one-time payments would also be retroactive to fatalities after January 1, 1985.

Families of these fallen wildland firefighters, both aerial and ground crews, are creating this petition to honor their loved ones who selflessly gave their lives to protect the homes of strangers and the land of their country.  Please join them in signing this petition to urge this country’s leaders to support the Fallen Wildland Firefighters Fair Compensation Act, which would give contracted wildland firefighters equal benefits, currently awarded to state and federal firefighters. 

**The Fallen Wildland Firefighters Fair Compensation Act is not to be confused with the Wildland Firefighters Protection Act.**