SPARKS, NV – Today, U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV) toured the Sparks Fire Department with Sparks Fire Chief Jim Reid, Sparks Mayor Ron Smith, and Sparks Police Chief Pete Krall to discuss her recently introduced HERO Act, bipartisan legislation that would require data collection to help determine best practices for identifying and treating post-traumatic stress and combating suicide among firefighters and other first responders.
“I was honored to stand alongside some of our community’s heroes as we discussed my recently introduced bipartisan legislation,” said Senator Rosen. “Firefighters and first responders put themselves in harm’s way time and again in order to keep us safe. My bipartisan bill is a commonsense solution that will better identify mental health care and support services for our everyday heroes.”
“Often times the mental and behavioral health challenges faced by fire fighters in the line of duty go unnoticed,” said Jim Reid, Sparks Fire Chief. “Senator Rosen’s bipartisan bill will help to make sure that much-needed resources are provided to help take on this serious problem.
“Sparks’ Fire fighters and first-responders represent the best of our city,” said Ron Smith, Mayor of the City of Sparks. “We must make sure we are doing all we can to protect the health of the men and women who spend each day protecting us.”
“Our first responders play a critical role in keeping our communities safe,” said Pete Krall, Sparks Police Chief. “Senator Rosen’s HERO Act is an important step forward in taking care of those who dedicate their lives to protecting our communities. This bill will provide support services to address mental health challenges faced by our heroes.”
BACKGROUND: Last month, Senator Rosen introduced the Helping Emergency Responders Overcome (HERO) Act, bipartisan legislation that would direct the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to collect data on first responder suicides and help determine best practices for identifying and treating post-traumatic stress and combating suicide among firefighters and other first responders. The HERO Act has been endorsed by the International Association of Firefighters, the International Association of Fire Chiefs, the National Volunteer Fire Council and the National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians.
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