Michael Lecik Military Firefighters Protection Act
Key claim: The Michael Lecik Military Firefighters Protection Act (HR2244) would establish a presumption of service-connection for specified diseases in veterans who trained in fire suppression and served at least five aggregate years in a firefighting or damage-control specialty, enabling VA health care and disability compensation.
Abstract
(HR2244 · 119th Congress) Michael Lecik Military Firefighters Protection Act This bill establishes a presumption of service-connection for specified diseases becoming manifest in certain military firefighter veterans to a degree of disability of 10% or more within 15 years of the veteran’s separation from active military, naval, or air service. Under a presumption of service-connection, specific diseases or disabilities diagnosed in certain veterans are presumed to have been caused by the circumstances of their military service. Health care benefits and disability compensation may then be awarded. Veterans addressed by this bill are those who (1) are trained in fire suppression, and (2) served on active duty in a military occupational specialty or career field with a primary responsibility of firefighting or damage control for at least five years in the aggregate. Latest action (2025-04-04): Referred to the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs.
Why this matters
Extending presumptive service-connection to military firefighters removes the individual burden of proving causation for occupational exposures, aligning them with other presumptive cohorts (e.g., PACT Act claimants) and shifting fiscal responsibility for related care and compensation onto the VA. The scope of covered diseases and the five-year specialty threshold will determine the size of the newly eligible population and the downstream cost to VA health and benefits programs.