Federal payment would go to survivors of fallen wildland firefighters

The United States would make a death payment to or for an eligible survivor. Coverage includes firefighters employed by the Forest Service, Interior Department agencies, and state or local firefighting agencies whose jobs mainly involve wildland fires. Eligible contractors must directly fight fires under specified agency agreements as crew members or equipment operators, including while traveling to or from that work. The government would pay immediately after receiving official notice of the death. The injuries must be connected with the firefighter’s service and incurred in the line of duty. The amount would equal the maximum death payment allowed under section 8102a(a) and would not replace compensation under section 8133. The payment would apply when a covered firefighter dies on or after January 1, 2026.

A covered firefighter could name another person to receive all or part of the payment, while any balance would follow a family priority order. The family order favors a surviving spouse, then children, and then certain parents or siblings. Children may qualify regardless of age or marriage. Named shares must be set in 10% steps, and the agency must notify a spouse when someone else is named. Household and proof rules apply to some children. A parental figure must have acted as a parent for at least one year before the firefighter became covered. If a recipient dies before receiving the money, the next living survivor in the family order receives that amount.