FFCAM: Week 1
Presumptive Coverage and Workers’ Compensation
The majority of IAFF member line-of-duty deaths are from occupational cancer.
A cancer diagnosis is the beginning of an incredible challenge. As a fire fighter, your risk of getting diagnosed with cancer is greatly increased. It’s crucial to understand how legislative presumptions may impact your coverage, as well as the role of your agency’s workers’ compensation department in securing the benefits you’re entitled to under your state, provincial, or territory laws. Having this knowledge beforehand can give you a significant advantage in navigating the process. This week’s topic is designed to equip you with that essential understanding.
To get the most from this week, we recommend taking one day this week to conduct a Safety Stand Down in your department.
Resources
Factsheets
Survivor Stories
FU Cancer – A video story from United Phoenix Firefighters Local 493
Calls to Action
Personal
- Research specific legislative presumptions for your state, province, or territory to determine what diseases and conditions are covered and what benefits are provided.
Organizational
- Work with Local leadership to establish contacts within your organization for your workers’ compensation personnel and consider meeting routinely to maintain these relationships and work through any flaws in processes for providing benefits to those with diseases covered by presumptions.