Michigan State Representative Sue Allor introduced legislation earlier this week that would expand compensation to certain first responders who have taken on the risk of contracting cancer through work-related duties.
Under Allor’s plan, fire crash rescue and forest fire officers would now be included on the list of state civil service classifications eligible to claim benefits from the First Responder Presumed Coverage Fund. To be covered, firefighters would have to be in active service or have 60 months or more in active service at the time cancer manifests.
Allor, of Wolverine, said fire crash rescue and forest fire officers are currently not eligible to claim benefits from the coverage fund, despite being exposed to hazardous chemicals incidental to fire suppression, rescue or other emergency response services over several decades.