Federal Fire Fighter Presumptive Disability

Our nation's federal fire fighters have some of the most hazardous jobs in the fire service, but unlike many states, the federal government does not presume that illnesses associated with fire fighting are job-related. As a result, to qualify for disability retirement, a federal fire fighter who suffers from an occupational illness must specify the precise exposure that caused his or her illness -- an almost insurmountable burden.

The Federal Firefighters Fairness Act would alleviate this burden by creating a rebuttable presumption that cardiovascular disease, certain cancers and certain infectious diseases contracted by federal fire fighters are job-related for purposes of workers' compensation and disability retirement.  The bill was reintroduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by Representatives Lois Capps (D-CA) and Todd Platts (R-PA) as H.R. 948, and was reintroduced in the U.S. Senate by Senators Tom Carper (D-DE) and Susan Collins (R-ME) as S. 599.

For more information about presumptive disability laws and the Federal Firefighters Fairness Act, click here:  Fact Sheet

Learn more about the need to enact a disability presumption for federal fire fighters:  Key Points

See if your Representative  and Senators support the Federal Firefighters Fairness Act:

     Cosponsors House

     Cosponsors Senate