Serving federal firefighters hurt on the job

The Office of Workers' Compensation Programs at the U.S. Department of Labor receives more than 2,500 claims annually from federal firefighters injured or sickened on the job. We're proud of our work serving these heroes, many of whom submit claims that are considered "high risk" and are therefore eligible for expedited processing. Here's what you should know about how we process firefighters' claims - over 90% of which are accepted.

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Background

Section 5305 of the 2023 National Defense Authorization Act, "Fairness for Federal Firefighters," made changes to the Federal Employee Compensation Act (known as FECA). This is one of the primary laws we administer in OWCP, covering federal workers in many different occupations. The 2023 updates established that certain illnesses and diseases are "to be deemed proximately caused" by employment in federal fire protection activities - that is, arising out of and in the course of their work.

Criteria for high-risk claims

FECA bulletin 25-02, issued on Jan. 10, 2025, outlines OWCP's current policy in carrying out the law. Firefighter claims are deemed "high risk" and qualify for expedited processing if…

• The employee was diagnosed with

  • One of the following cancers: esophageal, colorectal, prostate, testicular, kidney, bladder, brain, lung, thyroid, multiple myeloma, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, leukemia, mesothelioma, or melanoma

  • Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

  • A sudden cardiac event or stroke

• The employee was engaged in fire protection activities for at least five years (this can include federal and non-federal jobs).

• The employee was diagnosed with a condition noted above within 10 years of the date of last exposure to federal firefighting activities. An exception exists for sudden cardiac events or strokes that occur while, or not later than 24 hours after, engaging in fire protection or suppression activities.

If the claim meets the high-risk criteria, the employee does not need to submit additional evidence of specific exposures or medical evidence. Their condition(s) will be deemed proximately caused by federal firefighter employment and the claim will be accepted.

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Additional cancer types that qualify for expedited processing

FECA Bulletin 25-01, also issued on Jan. 10, addresses cancers not specifically listed in the 2023 law. Firefighter claims will be deemed high risk and qualify for expedited processing if the employee meets the employment criteria listed above and was diagnosed with one of the following cancers: breast, cervical, uterine, ovarian, or basal cell carcinoma.

In these cases, OWCP will refer the case to an office medical advisor for review and verification that the employee's firefighter employment was capable of producing the diagnosed condition(s), and then we will take action in accordance with the medical advisor's opinion.

Other claims

If an employee's claim does not meet any of the above high-risk criteria outlined above, it will be processed under established FECA procedures. Learn more about how to file a claim online and find answers to common questions about claims processing.

The bottom line

Federal firefighters can expect timely adjudication of their compensation claims. We are committed to prompt adjudication and making sure they get the benefits they are entitled to under the law.

Jennifer H. Valdivieso is the director of the Division of Federal Employees' Compensation in OWCP.