'Heroes, not superheroes': Legislators laud new law offering hope to first responders in need

BETHLEHEM, Pa. — State Rep. Jennifer O’Mara lost her father, a 25-year career firefighter, to suicide in 2003.

Ever since, O'Mara said, she has made it her goal to ensure first responders across the commonwealth suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Injury can qualify for workers’ compensation.

At noon Thursday, O’Mara, D-Delaware County, joined by a group of state representatives, local leaders and a plethora of firefighters, held a conference to raise awareness for Act 121 of 2024, at Wind Creek Casino’s Foundry Ball Room.

Under the act, a first responder who undergoes a qualifying traumatic event during the course of his or her employment can get up to two years of workers’ compensation after being assessed and diagnosed with post-traumatic stress injury.

The act won't go into effect until October, but O’Mara has made it her mission to educate and inform those who could benefit from it over the coming months.

“We stand here today to finally recognize this enormous achievement and to bring together all of the folks who really helped make this happen, because I was not alone in making Act 121 a reality,” O’Mara said.

She emphasized the measure could not have happened without bicameral, bipartisan support.

State Sen. Camera Bartolotta, R-46th District, commended O’Mara for her dedication to the act, citing her years of work and willingness to reach across the aisle to make it a reality.

“But I know it hasn't kicked in exactly yet, but we literally need every single person on this stage, everyone listening, everyone within earshot, we have to reach out and carry some of our first responders who are really, really needing it,” Bartolotta said.

“Don't ignore a mental health need. Don't ignore the resources that are available to you. We need you to keep doing what you do best, and we're here behind you, and we're here to support you in every way we can.”

O’Mara followed up by stressing the need to educate every first responder company across Pennsylvania so that once the act goes into effect, “folks will be ready to go.”

'Cumulative and devastating'

Pennsylvania Professional Fire Fighters Association President Bob Brooks, who O’Mara said was instrumental to getting the act across the finish line, providing an inside perspective of just how needed the measure is for first responders.

Brooks touched on the stresses faced by first responders: structural fires, mass casualties, man-made and natural disasters, medical emergencies, suicides, drug overdoses and more.

He said that while the average American will witness about three traumatic events in his or her life, firefighters routinely see about nine.

With many professional firefighters working a 25-year career, “the traumatic impact can be cumulative and devastating,” he said.

He said about 30% of first responders develop behavioral health conditions.

“Tragically, more first responders die from suicide than they do in the line of duty," Brooks said. "However, in Pennsylvania, first responders are currently ineligible to receive proper care for post-traumatic stress injury.

"The State Supreme Court set the bar high, requiring a mental health injury claim be the result of an abnormal working condition.

“Firefighters are denied claims because their mental injury is just a part of the job. This is unacceptable.

"PTSI is a legitimate occupational hazard for our members, and this should be treated with the same seriousness as physical injuries. Fortunately, this is going to change.”

Brooks said the act will help save hundreds of lives via PTSI treatment access, “and of families and communities will be much better for it.”

Heroes, not superheroes

Allentown Mayor Matt Tuerk said that while he and his compatriots recognize their first responsibility is public safety, he has taken action to back up those words.

Tuerk credited conversations with Local 302 IAFF Allentown Firefighters President Jeremy Warmkessel and his crew for providing invaluable perspectives on the struggles first responders face.

The mayor said his fellow politicians need to be more present for first responders, not just appearing at graduation ceremonies, but by being actively involved.

“[B]e there when these guys need us," Tuerk said. "Be there when they need us to support legislation like this, that helps them to heal from the traumas that they go through.”

State Rep. Mike Schlossberg, D-Lehigh County, who co-chairs the Mental Health Caucus with O'Mara, talked about the courage it takes for tough first responders to reach out for help.

“Bravery is obviously physical," Schlossberg said. "These guys have put their lives in line every day.

"But it's also emotional, and if they are willing to stand up here and say, ‘The job that we do can change our lives for the worse, and we need help to make it good again,' who can help?’

“And that's my final message. Today, bravery exists in many forms. These men and women are brave, and I hope that people can understand that if they admit when they need help, anybody can hear you.”

State Rep. Jeanne McNeill, D-Lehigh County, spoke on her gratitude for the destigmatization of mental health issues and requesting assistance.

McNeill said she was proud to stand by fellow advocates to “keep fighting for what’s best for the firefighters.”

“And again, don’t be embarrassed to ask for help, because all of us need it at some point in our life,” she said.

Closing out the conference, O’Mara applauded her fellow legislators, Gov. Josh Shapiro, and all the first responders who were pivotal to the act’s passage.

“One of the things I say a lot is our first responders are heroes, but they are not superheroes," she said.

"And that is why it is so important that we make sure they have the tools that they need and the resources they need to do the job and to take care of themselves.

"Because without them, there's no one there taking care of us."