Firefighters Gaining Ground in Cancer Presumption Debate

After languishing for years in state legislatures, legislative bills that would create a presumption that cancer contracted by firefighters is a compensable occupational disease are gaining traction in at least five state houses. Lobbying by firefighters on the local and national level is part of the reason for the uptick, along with new studies showing higher risks of cancer for firefighters than the general public, said Timothy Burn, press secretary for the International Association of Fire Fighters. “We’re pushing out our message,” Burn said. “A lot of information ...