Presumptive Disability Bill for Federal Fire Fighters Introduced
The International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) said legislation introduced in the House will make it easier to prove that heart and lung disease and certain cancers and infectious diseases that disable and kill federal fire fighters are job-related.
The Federal Fire Fighters Presumptive Disability Bill, H.R. 2163, would provide thousands of federal employees in fire protection activities with protections that are similar to those that cover municipal fire fighters in many states. Thirty eight states have heart and lung presumption laws for fire fighters, while 20 state recognize cancer presumption, and eight recognize certain infectious diseases as directly related to fire fighting and emergency medical activities.
Currently, federal fire fighters who contract heart and lung ailments or a range of cancers and infectious diseases that are known to be the result of stress and exposures to toxic substances at fires and other incidents must bear the burden of proving that these life-threatening illnesses were incurred on the job. Under this legislation, the burden of proof would be shifted to the employer.
“As it stands today, a federal fire fighter and a municipal fire fighter in neighboring jurisdictions who contract the same job-related heart disease would be treated much differently,” said IAFF General President Harold A. Schaitberger. “The municipal fire fighter would win his or her claim for disability under state law, while the federal fire fighter would forced to fight a protracted battle and probably lose the claim in the end under current federal regulations. This is just not right and the remedy contained in this bill is long overdue.”
The legislation is sponsored by Reps. Ciro Rodriquez (D-TX), Connie Morella (R-MD), Lois Capps (D-CA), Patrick Kennedy (D-RI), and Jo Ann Davis (R-VA).
The IAFF Vice President who represents federal fire fighters, Nick Davila, praised the sponsors of the legislation. “I applaud these members of Congress for having the foresight and the compassion to understand the crying need for presumptive disability protection for federal fire fighters,” Davila said.
H.R. 2163 recognizes that besides heart and lung disease, fire fighters are susceptible to brain cancer, cancer of the blood or lymphatic system, leukemia, lymphoma, multiple mycloma, cancer of the bladder, kidney, and prostate, testicular cancer, cancer of the digestive system, colon, and liver, skin cancer, breast cancer, and lung cancer. Fire fighters are also susceptible to infectious diseases including tuberculosis, Hepatitis A, B, and C, HIV, diptheria, hemorrhagic fever, and meningococcal disease.
IAFF President Schaitberger said he will work with 16th District Vice President Davila and IAFF federal fire fighter locals across the nation to win support for the legislation among members of Congress.
