An Act relative to legacy firefighters

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Dave Robertson

Establishes a “Legacy Firefighter” designation for Massachusetts firefighters with 20+ years of service (or certain medical retirements), with certificate, insignia, and posthumous

Overview

Bill Number: HD 3187

Title: An Act relative to legacy firefighters

Status: Proposed bill (introduced in the 2025-2026 General Court)

Introduced: Dates shown in the bill material include January 16, 2025 (House Docket No. 3187). The user-supplied date of November 29, 2025 may reflect a related or later posting; the bill text provided is from the 2025-2026 session.

Sponsor: Representative David Allen Robertson (Tewksbury)

What the bill would do

Establishes a new designation, “Legacy Firefighter,” to recognize certain long-serving firefighters in Massachusetts.

Creates eligibility criteria based on years of service and, in some cases, medical retirement, and sets forth an application process overseen by the Department of Fire Services (DFS).

Provides tangible recognition for recipients (certificate, insignia, and a commemorative medallion placed at the recipient’s place of rest after death).

Key provisions

Insertion into law: Amends Chapter 48 of the General Laws by adding Section 91 after Section 90.

Eligibility for designation:

Firefighters who have completed 20 years of service within the Commonwealth of Massachusetts may be considered for designation as a “Legacy Firefighter.”
Firefighters who are unable to reach 20 years due to premature medical retirement may also be considered.

Application requirement:

Eligible individuals must apply for the designation.
Applicants must submit a notarized “Certificate of Service” verifying twenty or more years of service from the applicable city, town, and/or fire department (or combination thereof).
The Certificate of Service must include verification of a clean conduct record with the department from which service was completed.

Benefits and recognition:

A certificate issued by the Department of Fire Services honoring the recipient as a “Legacy Firefighter.”
A campaign ribbon or officially recognizing insignia.
Upon the recipient’s passing, a medallion bearing the same design to be placed at their place of rest.

Who is affected

Individual firefighters who meet the eligibility criteria (20 years of Massachusetts service, or medical retirement scenarios) and who apply for the designation.

The Department of Fire Services, which would issue certificates, oversee the designation, and determine eligibility.

Municipal fire departments and personnel records custodians responsible for providing verifications of service and clean conduct.

Procedural and timeline aspects

Administrative authority: Department of Fire Services would recognize and designate eligible firefighters.

No specific implementation timeline, funding, or annual quotas are stated in the text provided.

Process relies on self-initiated applications with notarized evidence and verified conduct records.

Context and notes

The bill mirrors a concept previously introduced in a similar form (House No. 2393 during the 2023-2024 session).

The designation is honorary and symbolic, focusing on long service and integrity.

As a proposed measure, it would require passage by the Legislature and any requisite funding or regulatory adjustments before taking effect.

Bill