House passes federal firefighter presumption

The U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill that would create a presumption that certain health conditions arose from employment as a federal worker engaged in fire protection activities.

The House on Wednesday voted 288-131 to pass H.R. 2499.

The bill would create presumptions that heart disease, lung disease and specified cancers of federal firefighters with at least five years of experience arose out of employment. The worker must be diagnosed with the disease within 10 years of employment.

The Federal Firefighters Fairness Act of 2022 would apply to firefighters, paramedics, emergency medical technicians, rescue workers, ambulance personnel and hazardous material workers who are trained in fire suppression; have the legal authority and responsibility to engage in fire suppression; are engaged in the prevention, control and extinguishment of fires or response to emergency situations where life, property or the environment is at risk; and perform such activities as a primary responsibility.

The bill now goes to the Senate for consideration.

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