House Legislation Provides Security For Firefighters

A release from the office of State Representative Michael Day:

(BOSTON) – Representative Michael S. Day joined his colleagues in the House in passing legislation that will provide paid leave for firefighters diagnosed with cancer as they undergo treatment.

Under this legislation, Commonwealth firefighters who are battling cancer connected to their exposure to heat, radiation or suspected carcinogens while in the line of duty will be guaranteed paid leave compensation during their treatment. These benefits will be the same as the paid disability leave benefits currently available to other first responders.

“This bill allows firefighters and their families to focus on recovery instead of worrying about losing their home during treatment,” said Representative Day. “This is a basic issue of caring for those who have contracted this insidious disease as a result of caring for all of us, and I think it is legislation that is well overdue.”

Before this legislation, firefighters stricken with cancer as a result of line of duty exposure were forced to use their limited vacation and sick time while they underwent treatment, often leaving them without any means to support themselves or their families when that time was exhausted.

This legislation would provide those firefighters with a measure of economic security throughout the necessary period of treatment and recovery.

“I believe this legislation will save lives by allowing our firefighters to focus their energy on recovery,” continued Representative Day. “One of the obligations I believe I have as a legislator is to ensure that we are providing basic fairness and care for those who put their lives on the line to serve our communities, and I was a supporter of this, which I believe is emblematic of that obligation.”

The bill now moves to the State Senate for consideration.