03/26/2026
Your Cherry Hill Professional Firefighters were honored to be on hand at Cherry Hill Fire Department Headquarters on March 26, 2026 introducing the New Jersey First Responders Post‑Traumatic Stress Disorder Protection Act. Signed into law on January 14, 2026 by former Governor Phil Murphy, the Act establishes strong employment protections for paid first responders — including firefighters, EMTs, paramedics, dispatchers, and law enforcement officers — diagnosed with work‑related PTSD. It prohibits public employers from discharging, harassing, or retaliating against any first responder who takes leave for a qualifying PTSD diagnosis.
National and state data underscore the need for this law. Research shows roughly 30% of first responders develop behavioral health conditions, including PTSD, compared with about 20% of the general population. Since 2018, more than 1,400 first responders have died by su***de, and in recent years su***des have often exceeded line‑of‑duty deaths.
The Act aims to overcome the culture of stoicism that has discouraged first responders from seeking mental health care.
State Senator Jim Beach (D-LD6) and Assemblyman Bill Moen (D‑LD5), primary sponsors of the original bills (S2373 and A2145), joined the announcement, along with Camden County Commissioners Commissioner Director Lou Cappelli and Colleen Bianco Bezich for Camden County Commissioner, New Jersey Firefighters PFANJ President Matt Caliente, PFANJ 1st VP Dave Hines, PFANJ Treasurer Greg Swanson, PFANJ Peer Support Coordinator John Herrmann, and representatives from multiple International Association of Fire Fighters locals.
This law follows years of advocacy, testimony, and legislative effort by PFANJ, with support from the New Jersey State Fraternal Order of Police. Combined with August 2025 legislation advocated by the NJ State PBA guaranteeing first responders their choice of physician and up to 25 therapeutic hours of PTSD treatment after a critical incident, the Act protects responders’ seniority, benefits, and income and provides a cost‑effective judicial process for employees.
Key protections under the new law:
- Diagnosis standard: Protection applies when PTSD is documented by a judge of the Division of Workers’ Compensation or a qualified mental health professional.
- Anti‑retaliation: Employers may not terminate or discriminate against employees for requesting or taking leave for PTSD.
- Right to reinstatement: When cleared by a professional, a responder must be returned to their prior position with full seniority and benefits for up to two years from the critical incident, if able.
- Enforcement: Repeat violators face civil fines up to $10,000; employees may seek relief for lost wages and legal fees.
We thank everyone who advocated for these lifesaving protections and we were honored to be on hand for today's announcement.
