Fallen Firefighters' Survivors Lobby Legislators to Add Cancer to PSOB Program

  WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Despite the breath-taking triple digit heat index that left them sweaty and red-faced, a group of spouses, family members and colleagues of fallen firefighters hit the halls of Congress Wednesday.

They came from small and large departments across the country for the same mission -- to lobby legislators to pass the Honoring our Fallen Heroes Act. 

While the stories they shared differed, all had one thing in common -- occupational cancer.

Although cancer is a leading cause of firefighters' deaths, it is not recognized by the Public Safety Officers Benefits (PSOB) program, administered by the Department of Justice.

The proposed Fallen Heroes Act would change that.

Currently, only survivors of responders who were diagnosed with cancer after their response to the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks are eligible for the federal financial support. 

The bi-partisan measure was passed unanimously by the Senare Judiciary Committee recently. But, the families say it's too soon to take a victory lap as there's more work ahead of them. 

Among the issues recognized by PSOB are cardiac related deaths, PTSD and COVID.

Cylina Cervantes and her three children, Isaac, 13, Jacob, 11 and Madilyn, 9, spent two days in Washington sharing how their lives have changed since the death of the husband and father.

Rancho Cucamonga Fire District Fire Engineer-Paramedic Miguel Certantes, 45, died of follicular lymphoma seven months after his diagnosis, Cylina shared.

"He ran marathons. He was healthy," she said, adding that during his treatment, he reached out to make sure fellow firefighters wouldn't follow the same journey.

"The department has been phenomenal. They've been very supportive and initiated cancer screenings for firefighters. So far, one was diagnosed with thyroid cancer and another with testicular cancer. Both are doing well."

Cylina said she is proud to carry on his life's mission of helping others. 

The benefits would help her and her family as they are navigating a much different life since 2023.

Roni Gilbertson said the trip from Idaho to Washington was important for her.

Taking road trips is what she and her late husband, Boise Firefighter Kent Gilbertson loved to do. But, their route ended just three-and-a-half years after his retirement.

"He was diagnosed with colon cancer they linked to his 30 years as a firefighter. He got the news on 2-2-22 and died in my arms on Nov. 8."

Gilbertson expressed concern that some legislators she visited told her that cancer was already covered by PSOB.

"When I told them it was now only for 9/11-related cancers, they were surprised."

Gilbertson said she is proud to contiue Kent's legacy by helping to make a difference.

Westfield, IN Firefighter Josh Sotherland who teamed up with the Cervantes family said he hopes the lobbying effort keeps the momentum going amid the judiciary committe's nod.

Southerland lost his father, also a Westfield firefighter, to kidney cancer in 2020.

"The PSOB benefits are desperately needed. Some of the families depended on the income of the firefighter," he said, adding that he was honored to be part of the groups telling lawmakers and their staffs their personal stories.

Wearing his dress blues, his red face covered in sweat, Merrimack, NH, Lt. Christopher Wyman shared his memories of his wife, Jessica, a lieutenant with the Nashua, NH, who died of lung cancer attributed to her work at super sites.

While he is pleased that she received compensation from the state, he is lobbying for the inclusion of cancer in the federal program.

He believes firefighters who die of cancer should be recognized as well since they gave the ultimate sacrifice.