Connecticut Fire Fighters Gain Presumptive Heart Benefits

May 20, 2008 -- With the support of the IAFF and the Uniformed Professional Fire Fighters Association (UPFFA) of Connecticut, Connecticut Governor Jodi Rell has signed a bill that will better protect the state’s fire fighters and police officers if they have a heart condition or impairment as a result of their duties.

“This is an important victory, not just for Connecticut fire fighters, but for all fire fighters,” says IAFF General President Harold Schaitberger. “It is a scientific fact that fire fighters and emergency medical responders are at increased risk for heart disease, lung disease, cancer and infectious diseases. Yet, many fire fighters across the country get little or no protections and benefits when they get sick on the job.”

Schaitberger adds, “Each time fire fighters gain benefits – just as they have in Connecticut – another precedent is set. Other IAFF affiliates can use those precedents to achieve victories in their states.”

The new legislation, effective July 1, 2009, allows full-time personnel in the state’s fire and police departments to receive workers’ compensation coverage of any condition or impairment of health caused by a cardiac emergency while in training or engaged in their professional duties.

To be eligible, fire fighters and police must have been employed on or after July 1, 1996. The only way fire fighters and police can be denied coverage is if conclusive evidence can be provided to the contrary.

The IAFF worked with the UPFFA to develop comprehensive materials explaining the dangerous impact fire fighting has on cardiac health, while UPFFA members worked hard to garner the support of key state senators and representatives.

“I am very proud of the months of hard work my members have done,” says Pete Carozza, president of UPFFA. “Connecticut fire fighters have spent tireless hours lobbing, calling and sending letters to their state legislators. This legislation is going to save fire fighter lives and protect their fire fighter families.”

With this victory in hand, Connecticut fire fighters hope to soon add other presumptive protections including, all strains of hepatitis, meningitis, tuberculosis, myeloma, non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, prostate cancer and testicular cancer.