Lawmakers propose presumptions for federal firefighters

Lawmakers in Washington, D.C., this week announced federal legislation that would create a presumption that certain diseases resulting in disability or death arose out of and in the course of employment.

The Federal Firefighter Fairness Act of 2021 would cover conditions including heart and lung diseases, as well as cancer of the brain, skin, bladder, kidney, digestive system or respiratory system. The presumption would also cover breast and testicular cancer.

Firefighters would need at least five years of service to be eligible for the diseases identified by name in the bill.

The bill would also create a presumption for any communicable disease that has been determined to be a pandemic by the World Health Organization or the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

And the measure would allow the Secretary of Labor to expand the presumption through regulation to cover any chronic infectious disease “related to the hazards to which an employee in fire protection activities may be subject.”

A bill number was not immediately available Wednesday.

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