Washington, DC Local 36’s fight for presumptive cancer and disease coverage

Frelimo Simba, a 33-year veteran of D.C. Fire and EMS and a Washington, DC Local 36 member, was diagnosed with Stage 4 Hodgkin’s lymphoma in 2011.  

“When I came back to the job several years later, I realized people donated their hard-earned leave, so I could have a paycheck, continue to pay the bills,” Simba said. 

His journey shed light on the emotional and financial challenges fire fighters face when battling serious illness, and the critical need for support during life-altering circumstances.  

Thanks to years of relentless advocacy, Local 36 secured a major victory in December 2023, when the District of Columbia City Council expanded legislation to include seven new cancers under workers’ compensation for fire fighters, beginning in the 2024 fiscal year. These cancers are colon, colorectal, multiple myeloma, lymphoma, brain, non-Hodgkin’s, and throat. Kidney, thyroid, and bladder cancers are set to be covered in 2028.  

“We embarked on this mission 15 years ago, driven by a deep commitment to the health and safety of our members,” said Local 36 President Dave Hoagland. “Our fight for cancer and presumptive heart legislation was not just about laws; it was about recognizing the sacrifices made in the line of duty. This presumptive legislation now stands as a testament to what we can achieve together.”  

The push for expanded coverage started back in 2007, when Local 36 noticed a troubling rise in cancer and health issues among fire fighters.  “We had a lot of untimely deaths due to health reasons, and I started to realize that many of these occupational diseases were considered personal illnesses,” said Brian Gray, a veteran with D.C. Fire & EMS and a Local 36 member. “The onus was placed on the member to seek care, take time off, and recover.”   

Gray says the Local identified these ailments were related to chronic exposures to carcinogens, stress, strenuous exertion, and infection disease over a 25-year career service. In 2012, the Presumptive Disability Act was passed, which initially covered cancers like leukemia, breast cancer, prostate cancer, and respiratory diseases, as well as heart and infectious diseases.  

But by 2023, the need for further protections became undeniable. “We also felt significant time had passed to demonstrate the fiscal impact of our legislation was minimal,” said Gray.  

The expanded coverage now eliminates the need for fire fighters to prove that their cancer is job-related, making it easier for them to access workers’ compensation benefits. For Local 36 member Steven Ship, who was diagnosed with cancer, it’s reassurance for his family: “To have that peace of mind to know that your family will be taken care of, is everything,” he said. 

Local 36 Treasurer Rob Heaney, a 23-year veteran, spoke about his personal battle with cancer after being diagnosed in 2023. “I went to the doctor for a routine check-up, and everything came back negative. But when I went back to check again, that’s when the cancer was finally found,” Heaney said. 

Tragically, Heaney passed away from occupational cancer on Jan. 22 of this year. Local 36 expressed their deepest condolences, with President Hoagland saying, “His loss is deeply felt by all who had the privilege of working alongside him.” 

While acknowledging the progress made with expanded legislation, Local 36 says the fight to save lives is far from over. “Our Local made a conscious decision to be proactive in promoting our members. The fire service is made up of ‘silent professionals,’ but staying silent risks being forgotten and reactive to changes. The union’s job is to highlight the integral role our members play in the community,” said Gray. “We’ve come a long way, but there’s still more fight, and we’re not done yet,” said Simba. 

To learn more about the presumptive disability laws in your area, visit the link here.