“Our nation’s federal fire fighters, including nearly 3,000 IAFF members, are one step closer to gaining greater protections against occupational illnesses now that the U.S. House Committee on Education and Labor has approved the Federal Firefighters Fairness Act.
“Hundreds of fire fighters were on Capitol Hill last week to educate lawmakers about why this bill is important to federal fire fighters who protect our nation’s most important military installations, laboratories and national grounds.
“The link between firefighting and deadly diseases, including cancer, are scientifically proven. While virtually all states have passed laws giving municipal fire fighters protections against these diseases, the federal government too often denies federal fire fighters compensation benefits when contracting occupational diseases.
“Fire fighters have spoken, and now Congress is poised to fix this problem. The Federal Firefighters Fairness Act is moving through Congress with the bi-partisan support of more than 150 lawmakers. I applaud Representative Salud Carbajal (D-CA) for his leadership on this critical issue and for working to provide federal fire fighters this long overdue benefit. I urge Congress to work swiftly to pass this legislation.”
