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Florida Lawmakers Look To Help Firefighters With Cancer
October 22, 2015
House and Senate members Wednesday detailed legislation aimed at creating a presumption that firefighters diagnosed with cancer got the disease while in the line of duty.
The bills filed by Sen. Jack Latvala, R-Clearwater, Rep. Heather Fitzenhagen, R-Fort Myers, and Rep. Frank Artiles, R-Miami, would change a burden of proof about what caused the cancer. The burden would go from the employee to the employer.
Fitzenhagen said science has proven firefighters are at a much greater risk for cancer than the general population, given their hazardous work environment.
“In the gear that firefighters wear, there are a lot of places where carcinogens can get in touch with the skin, even though they are wearing protective gear,” she said. “Typically, those places are around the neck.”
Supporters say the legislation is necessary because employees are now being let go after using up sick leave and short-term disability. The bills will be considered during the 2016 legislative session, which starts in January.
NorthEscambia.com photo.
Comments
One Response to “Florida Lawmakers Look To Help Firefighters With Cancer”
As I sit here, there are 4 articles alone in today’s news about fires and the men who put them out. Save they that Save us.