Rep. Salinas introduces bill for first <a href="https://healthylife7.com/oregon-congresswoman-proposes-program-to-support-first-responder-mental-health/” title=”Oregon congresswoman proposes program to support first responder mental health”>responder mental health grants
Mon, August 17, 2026 at 6:39 PM
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U.S. Rep. Andrea Salinas, D-Oregon, stands with members of Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue on Monday, Aug. 17, 2026. She has introduced bipartisan legislation aimed at providing mental health support for first responders. (KATU)
U.S. Rep. Andrea Salinas, D-Oregon, is introducing bipartisan legislation aimed at providing mental health support for first responders
The “Lifeline for First Responders Act” would create a new federal grant program to fund mental health services for firefighters, EMS and dispatch personnel
Salinas says she was inspired by Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue which has their own mental health program
“Because as I said to them earlier when we were in the station, it doesn’t end when the call and the response ends, right?” she said. “It lives with you. That kind of trauma that you see potentially on a daily basis, depending on what the situation is — it’s lasting. And so, to be able, and so the chiefs were telling me, they were like, we could really use something to keep people who want to stay on the job additional help.”
ALSO READ: ‘The stuff builds up’: Ex-firefighter talks first responder struggles for PTSD Awareness
Salinas said it has not been hard to get bipartisan support for the bill, noting how many lawmakers have been personally impacted by mental health situations or have seen their districts endure disasters
The bill is set to be included in the Transportation Reauthorization Bill, which hasn’t passed the House yet
There are already other similar first responder grants, but they come from different departments
