Firefighters could get a little help in their fight against cancer, heart disease and emotional trauma if legislators approve a new Hometown Heroes Assistance Program.
Last week the Minnesota House public safety committee held a hearing on the proposal, and Sen. Jeff Howe, R-Rockville, became the chief author of the Senate version of the bill.
It's still not clear how the roughly $7 million program would be funded.
"It's all about priorities," said Chris Parsons, president of the Minnesota Professional Fire Fighters. "What are our priorities? What is the cost in people's lives?"
Minnesota has 22,000 firefighters, 2,000 of whom are professional, he said. And they perform essential work, responding to fires, vehicle crashes and medical emergencies.
It's work that puts them at heightened risk for cardiac arrest, various cancers and suicide.