Members heard testimony in support of HR 4671, the Ensuring Casualty Assistance for Our Firefighters Act, which would establish a Department of the Interior casualty assistance program modeled on an existing Forest Service program.

Dr. Matt Rahn of the Wildfire Conservancy described the hazardous conditions faced by wildland firefighters and recommended that HR 4671 include explicit links to occupational-illness surveillance, medical screening, and periodic statutory review cycles. "This bill is vital for families after a tragedy," Rahn said, but he urged pairing casualty assistance with measures to reduce exposures and modernize respiratory protection.

Ranking Member Joe Neguse and Rep. Jared Huffman framed the bill in the context of shuttered agency operations during recent shutdowns and the need to protect frontline workers; Rep. Huffman noted the Bipartisan Wildfire Commission's prior recommendations.

Members emphasized the need for both short-term assistance for families and long-term prevention through PPE modernization and exposure documentation. No procedural action was taken on HR 4671 during the hearing; witnesses offered written recommendations and the record was left open for follow-up questions.