Indiana May Be First to Pass Parkinson’s Presumptive Legislation

(from left) Retired Indianapolis, IN Local 416 fire fighter Gary Coons, Representative Mary Ann Sullivan (D)and Senator James Merritt (R)

April 7, 2009 – Indiana state legislation to require Parkinson’s disease be treated as a line-of-duty disability under an emergency responder’s pension and disability plan has passed the state house and senate. If Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels signs the bill, Indiana will be the first state to presume Parkinson’s disease to be job-related.

The measure passed 49-0 in the senate and 97-2 in the house. “Getting such overwhelming support for this important piece of legislation is tremendous,” says Professional Fire Fighters Union of Indiana (PFFUI) President Thomas Hanify. “When this bill becomes law, it will mean a lot for the future health of our fire fighters who are diagnosed with this disease.”

The PFFUI began advocating for the legislation after retired Indianapolis, IN Local 416 fire fighter Gary Coons brought the Parkinson’s disease issue to the attention of IAFF state leadership.

Not long after Coons was pensioned with a line-of-duty injury in 2005, he began slowing down, experiencing leg tremors and stooping over when he walked. His condition became worse, and two years later, at age 33, he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.

Coons’ case is unique because the chances of having early onset Parkinson’s disease at his young age are less than one in 100,000. Toxic exposures, such as those fire fighters are subjected to on the job, are known to be a probable contributing factor to the diseases’ onset.

“I introduced Coons to Senator James Merritt (R) who took immediate interest in the issue,” says Hanify. “He proved to be an unwavering champion of the legislation and ultimately ensured its passage on the senate floor.”

Lobbying for the bill proved more difficult in the house. But, coincidentally, on the day the legislation was to go up for a vote in the house, a large apartment fire broke out down the street from the state house.

“That day, Representative Mary Ann Sullivan (D) stood before the other house members and told them that she watched the fire from her home,” Hanify says. “She gave a very impassioned speech about how she and her neighbors were able to witness first-hand the fire fighters’ professionalism and their dedication to duty.

He adds, “I believe her speech was crucial to winning the vote of members who were still undecided.”

Coons says the bill, if signed, will help ensure fire fighters diagnosed with Parkinson’s get the treatment they need to retain their quality of life for as long as possible. “After the fire is out, it is easy to assume that exposure to toxins is unlikely,” says Coons. “But I tell other fire fighters that no matter how ‘safe’ they feel or how cumbersome the protective gear may feel, they should persevere and keep on the gear.

He adds, “When you contract a disease like Parkinson’s, it affects your family, too. You have to think of them.” Coons believes that he may have contracted Parkinson’s in part because of his exposure to toxins in a 2005 paint warehouse fire. He served as the lead investigator on the fire.