Kean Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Fund Mental Health Support for First Responders
(August 24, 2026) WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Tom Kean, Jr. (NJ-07) introduced the Lifeline for First Responders Act with Representatives Andrea Salinas (OR-06), Gabe Evans (CO-08), and Sharice Davids (KS-03). The bipartisan bill would create the first federal grant program dedicated to mental health care for firefighters, paramedics, and dispatchers, addressing a gap in support that EMS workers have faced for years.
"Emergency medical professionals sacrifice so much to serve our communities. This bill would provide critical access to mental health support for those on the front lines who are at risk of higher rates of trauma and mental health struggles than the general population. Ensuring they have the resources they need will strengthen the safety and well-being of both those in EMS agencies and the communities they serve," said Congressman Kean.
"This has been Oregon's most devastating wildfire season on record. Our firefighters and paramedics have felt every bit of it. Just as we ask our first responders to be there for us, we need to be there for them,” said Congresswoman Salinas. “Up to a quarter of firefighters suffer from PTSD, and 37 percent of fire and EMS professionals have contemplated suicide, yet there is no federal program to address it, the way there is for law enforcement. My bill changes that. I'm proud to introduce the Lifeline for First Responders Act with the support of Tualatin Valley Fire and Rescue and NAMI Oregon to ensure our emergency personnel get the support they deserve.”
“As a former law enforcement officer, I know firsthand the toll that serving on the front lines can take on our first responders and emergency personnel. For too long, stigma has kept too many of our nation’s heroes from seeking the support they need. I’m proud to co-lead the Lifeline for First Responders Act to help break down those barriers and ensure the men and women who answer the call for us every day have access to the mental health resources, peer support, and confidential care they deserve,” said Congressman Evans.
“Firefighters and EMS professionals in Kansas and across the country can face more accidents, injuries, and tragedy in a single shift than most of us will experience in a lifetime. But too often, we treat their mental health as an afterthought. This bipartisan effort would make long-overdue investments in mental health services for first responders and make sure they know they don’t have to struggle in silence,” said Representative Davids.
Every day, first responders witness accidents, injuries, and devastation. That exposure can lead to burnout, PTSD, depression, and anxiety. Up to a quarter of firefighters suffer from PTSD, and 37 percent of fire and EMS professionals have contemplated suicide. In 2018, Congress recognized this need for law enforcement, authorizing the Law Enforcement Mental Health and Wellness Act to fund mental health prevention and treatment programs for police. No comparable program currently exists for fire and EMS personnel. The Lifeline for First Responders Act would close that gap.
Specifically, this bill would:
- Establish a new EMS and First Responder Wellness Grant Program at the Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, through its Office of Emergency Medical Services;
- Authorize $7.5 million a year, through fiscal year 2032, to fund evidence-based mental health and wellness services for fire, EMS, and dispatch personnel;
- Fund suicide prevention, intervention, and postvention services, along with confidential counseling, peer support, and behavioral health care;
- Fund family support services for the spouses and children of first responders; and
- Fund outreach, stigma reduction, education, training, and technical assistance for fire departments, EMS agencies, and 911 dispatch centers building their own wellness programs.
A copy of the bill text is available HERE.
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