U.S. Rep. Andrea Salinas wants Congress to spend $7.5 million a year on suicide prevention, peer counseling and family support for firefighters and EMS workers across the country.

She announced the bipartisan Lifeline for First Responders Act on Monday, Aug. 17, at Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue's Lake Oswego station, flanked by local fire officials who described the psychological toll of the job.

TVF&R Deputy Chief of Strategic Services Patrick Fale said first responders at the district face roughly 500 traumatic events over a 30-year career. He called on leaders to build programs that keep responders resilient across those decades.

Lt. Erik Peterson put it more bluntly.

"We're really good at showing up when the tones go off, but we're not good at asking for help when we need it," he said.

Peterson said serving his community comes at the expense of his own mental health, often straining family relationships. He called the bill a lifeline for members struggling with mental health issues.

What the bill would do

The Lifeline for First Responders Act would create a federal grant program administered through the Office of Emergency Medical Services, a branch of the U.S. Department of Transportation, according to KATU. Salinas is seeking to attach it to the Transportation Reauthorization Bill.

The grants would fund suicide prevention programs, peer support, counseling, family services and training to identify mental health crises among firefighting and EMS staff. The proposal mirrors a 2017 law that directed the U.S. Department of Justice to fund similar programs for law enforcement.

Co-sponsors include U.S. Reps. Gabe Evans, R-Colorado; Sharice Davids, D-Kansas; and Tom Kean, R-New Jersey.

Local connection

TVF&R serves approximately 552,070 residents across 390 square miles, including West Linn and unincorporated portions of Clackamas County.

The district operates 28 fire stations staffed by more than 450 career firefighters and paramedics. Station 39, at 7080 SW McEwan Road in Lake Oswego, hosted Monday's announcement.

Last year, the U.S. Department of the Interior and the U.S. Forest Service announced a program providing up to 16 free therapy sessions per year for wildland firefighters.

No committee hearing or floor vote has been scheduled for the bill.

If you are having suicidal thoughts, call or text 988 to reach the National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.