There’s no question that the work of a firefighter is dangerous, whether it’s entering a burning building or rescuing victims trapped near hazardous flames.
But the most toxic risk firefighters deal with is the possibility of cancer and other diseases caused by the materials surrounding them in burning buildings.
According to the First Responder Center for Excellence, 33 states cover firefighters for various cancers through workers’ compensation with the assumption that if certain conditions are met, it can be presumed the cancer was caused by exposure through their work.
Missouri isn’t one of them.
Sen. Lincoln Hough, R-Springfield, wants to extend such coverage to professional and volunteer firefighters and to expand volunteer coverage for other illnesses.