Ohio Extends Cancer Protection to Firefighters

COLUMBUS, OH - Ohio will finally join the majority of states in America in offering firefighters disabled by cancer benefits from the workers' compensation fund and the Ohio Police and Fire Pension Fund. Senate Bill 27 ensures firefighters that protection.

According to the Ohio Legislature's website, the bill passed by a count of 31-1. Only Republican Kris Jordan voted against the bill.

“The first responders who keep us safe shouldn’t face medical uncertainty or financial instability after years of selfless sacrifice,” said Assistant Democratic Leader Nicholas J. Celebrezze in a statement. “That’s why this reform ensures our everyday heroes don’t have to go it alone.”

In 2010, the Centers for Disease and Control, along with the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, researched 30,000 firefighters from three cities in the US and found that firefighters had higher rates of cancer than the general population. Most of the firefighters developed oral, digestive, respiratory, or urinary cancer.

"The chance of lung cancer diagnosis or death increased with amount of time spent at fires," the study said. "The chance of leukemia death increased with the number of fire runs."

Ohio was in the minority of states that did not have legislation protecting firefighters who develop cancer. In fact, previous law presumed that firefighters that were disabled by cancer did not incur the cancer from their work. That means many active and retired firefighters were not allowed to receive certain benefits and compensation for performing official duties and were left alone to deal with their illness.

The new bill does not distinguish between full-time or volunteer firefighters, both will be afforded protection under Senate Bill 27. To qualify for this protection, a firefighter needs a minimum of six years on hazardous duty. Only the firefighter's employer can demonstrate why a cancer-afflicted fireman would not receive this protection.

“Firefighters go to work every day knowing there’s a possibility that they could be in an accident that could change their life and affect their families forever. However, firefighters must also grapple with the heightened risk of developing cancer on top of their already dangerous work conditions,” said Democratic Rep. Mike O’Brien, of Warren, in a statement. “This legislation is the least that we can do for these courageous men and women who sacrifice their life and good health for the safety and wellbeing of us all.”

Once SB 27 is signed into law, Ohio will join 36 other states that already have presumptive cancer laws.

Photo from Shutterstock