Cancer Presumption Bill Protects Vermont Fire Fighters

PFFV President Matt Vinci with Governor Jim Douglas, who signed the state's cancer presumptive legislation at a Montpelier, Vermont fire station.

May 22, 2007 – Vermont is the third state in as many weeks to pass presumptive legislation for fire fighters. The IAFF and the Professional Fire Fighters of Vermont (PFFV) worked hard to get the support of Governor Jim Douglas and state lawmakers to pass S.194, which covers several different cancers. Governor Douglas signed the legislation into law May 22 at the Montpelier fire station.

The new law covers leukemia, lymphoma or multiple myeloma, and cancers originating in the bladder, brain, colon, gastrointestinal tract, kidney, liver, pancreas, skin or testicles. Fire fighters diagnosed with one of the presumed cancers are eligible for benefits for up to 10 years after retirement.

“Over the last 10 years, we have seen a definite increase in the number of Vermont fire fighters getting cancer,” says Matt Vinci, president of PFFV. Vermont won presumptive heart legislation three years ago, and PFFV has since been working to get the same protections for cancer.

Vinci credits PFFV political action and support from the IAFF and IAFF 3rd District Vice President Mike Mullane for securing the votes in the state House and Senate. Championing the bill in the state legislature were the bill’s chief sponsor, Senator Vince Illuzzi (R), and Representative Helen Head (D).

With his signature on the legislation pending, IAFF General President Harold Schaitberger, DVP Mullane and PFFV President Vinci met with Governor Douglas was during the Professional Fire Fighters of Vermont state convention earlier in May.

“The governor had reservations about signing the bill,” says Schaitberger. “But we made it clear to Governor Douglas that he needed to do the right thing and protect fire fighters in his state.” Following the meeting, Douglas promised to sign the legislation. “He made good on that promise,” Schaitberger says.

Earlier this month, Colorado and Washington both passed presumptive laws to increase the number of cancers considered the result of on-the-job exposure.

Photo by South Burlington, VT Local 3671 fire fighter Will Moran.