On Dec. 12, Representatives Lois Capps (D-Cal.) and Pat Meehan (R-Pa.) introduced the Federal Firefighters Fairness Act of 2013 (H.R. 3718). This legislation would grant a presumptive disability to firefighters, paramedics, emergency medical technicians, rescue workers, ambulance personnel and hazardous material workers who have fire suppression and protection activities as their primary responsibilities.
The bill would cover a number of conditions, including
- heart disease
- lung disease
- 13 types of cancer
- tuberculosis
- hepatitis A, B, and C
- HIV
The Secretary of Labor would have the authority to add, by regulation, other types of cancer and infectious diseases to this list.
To qualify for the presumption, a firefighter would have to seek the presumption within 10 years of the last active date of employment. H.R. 3718 was referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.