A Solution That Works

Firefighter cancer bill benefits firefighters without burdening taxpayers

Each year CCM speaks to the fiscal position of municipalities - that is, every year a new unfunded mandate or budgetary restriction imposes a new cost to municipalities without giving them a resource to make up those funds. Even when in principal an idea is agreeable, it may not be feasible for municipalities to absorb. That was just the case with Senate Bill 937 when it was first introduced. As originally drafted, the bill would have created a rebuttable presumption that if a firefighter is diagnosed with cancer, it would be presumed to be work related and therefore eligible for worker’s compensation benefits.

We have argued that this would significantly alter current and existing worker’s compensation laws, shifting not only a fiscal burden onto towns and cities, but also a new burden of proof onto municipalities to provide evidence on a firefighter’s health history. This would make it nearly impossible to rebut the presumption, as it did with heart and hypertensionwhich ultimately saw a repeal due to the overwhelming costs.

It cannot be argued that CCM has not worked diligently in approaching this difficult subject. We have recognized that harming the very institutions that firefighters work for and protect is not a sustainable solution. In addition, we have strived to pursue solutions that work not just today, but in the years to come.

CCM has developed a collaborative approach on several contentious issues, beginning with the original firefighter cancer legislation enact in 2016. Over time we have worked with stakeholders to develop legitimate compromises on a range of issues. We once again utilized that approach this year.

In pursuit of a sustainable and amicable solution, CCM sat down with officials and reworked the bill that would help firefighters.

As a result, we are hopeful that the final version of SB 937 will reflect a compromise between CCM, the firefighters and other stakeholders. After decades of disagreements, this legislation will provide firefighters and their dependents with the same benefits they would receive under worker’s compensation, without having to enter the conventional worker’s compensation system.

The benefit to firefighters is they will receive the benefits they have long sought while avoiding the drawn-out worker’s compensation process.

The benefit to municipalities is the new expense will be paid out of the Firefighter Cancer Relief Fund - which will be funded through the state - instead of worker’s compensation funded through property taxes.

Our compromise language in SB 937 provides the necessary framework to help firefighters without burdening municipalities. However, to ensure the greatest success, the State must maintain their commitment in supporting firefighters by increasing and securing a reliable funding stream for the Firefighter Cancer Relief Fund. Unfortunately, the State has not yet provided the necessary support and assistance to maintain that funding.

Beyond securing a sustainable funding stream to support our firefighters, CCM remains committed to working with the firefighters to support their education and health by (a) promoting routine cancer screening, (b) encouraging firefighters to clean vulnerable areas for carcinogen exposure, such as the face, neck and groin, (c) ensuring firefighters maintain proper usage of their self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), and (d) fostering healthy living standards to reduce long-term negative health outcomes.

Yet again, we are hopeful that if enacted, this can be seen by all stakeholders, on any other issue, that CCM’s brand of “collaborating for the common good” is more than just a tagline.