New IL Law Requires Tracking of Firefighter Deaths

Jan. 5—Of the many new laws that have taken effect upon the ringing in of the new year, one of those laws will be a requirement to track firefighter deaths.

Signed by Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker on August 1 of last year, Illinois Senate Bill 1446 amends the State Fire Marshal Act. It was a bipartisan effort with 31 Democrats and 11 Republicans and was originally filed by Illinois Sen. Cristina Castro, who represents the 22nd congressional district northwest of Chicago. Metro East state senators who co-sponsored the bill include Republican Amy Elik and Democrat Jay Hoffman.

"Beginning no later than six months after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 104th General Assembly, the Office of the State Fire Marshal shall track and record the manner of death for all firefighters in Illinois, including suicide and the various types of cancer," the language of the bill reads.

According to Castro's office, the new law took effect Jan. 1.

"We owe nothing less than our full gratitude and appreciation to those who put their lives on the line for our communities," Castro said in a statement. "The dangers that they face go beyond fighting physical fires that are in front of them as we are continuing to learn firefighters suffer silently from illnesses related to their job.

"Saving and protecting the lives of our firefighters is a top priority. Having access to this data will allow us to create improved safety precautions to safeguard the health of our firefighters."

According to the Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal, the state connects families of fallen firefighters with the National Firefighters Foundation and the Fire Hero Family Network.

"When a firefighter dies in the line of duty, the Foundation provides families with a place to turn," the National Firefighters Foundation website reads. "Families receive emotional assistance through the Fire Hero Family Network, which matches families with similar experiences and circumstances. Families receive The Journey, our bi-monthly newsletter, and have access to a wide range of virtual and digital resources.

"The Family Programs section of our website provides extensive information on benefits, Foundation programs, and other helpful information."

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