At the 81st Annual Convention of the Florida Professional Firefighters this week, Governor Ron DeSantis signed House Bill 929 into law, a measure that expands the Florida Firefighters Occupational Safety and Health Act to include provisions for occupational disease prevention and mental health support.

The new law aims to address growing concerns about firefighter exposure to toxic substances and the psychological toll of emergency response work. HB 929 directs the Florida Department of Financial Services’ Division of the State Fire Marshal to adopt rules focused on reducing health risks—both physical and mental—faced by firefighters.

Among the bill’s key provisions:

  • Fire departments must begin purchasing gear free of hazardous chemicals once such equipment becomes commercially available.

  • Employers are required to notify firefighters if their current gear contains toxic materials.

  • The Division of the State Fire Marshal must implement protocols to monitor mental health, including suicide risk, and promote prevention strategies.

  • Standard firefighter shifts will be capped at 42 hours per week to help reduce burnout.

The bill received support from both state lawmakers and firefighter advocacy groups. Florida Professional Firefighters President Wayne “Bernie” Bernoska called the law “a major step forward” for the safety of those working in one of the state’s most hazardous professions.

Governor DeSantis, who addressed attendees at the convention, said the law reflects an effort to recognize the full scope of challenges firefighters face on the job.

The legislation is part of a series of firefighter- and first responder-focused measures the governor has signed in recent years. Previous initiatives have included cancer benefit legislation, post-hurricane disaster relief for emergency personnel, and expanded compensation for job-related injuries during training. The governor’s latest budget proposal includes more than $118 million to increase pay for first responders, including a 25% raise for state-employed firefighters.

With HB 929 now in effect, Florida becomes one of the latest states to implement targeted mental health and occupational safety standards for its firefighting workforce.

Source: Governor Ron Desantis