Commissioner Diaz urges cancer benefits for firefighters

MIAMI-DADE – The Miami-Dade County Commission on July 24 approved a resolution sponsored by Commissioners Jose “Pepe” Diaz urging the Florida Legislature to pass pending legislation that would provide state disability and death benefits to firefighters with cancer and require that firefighters be offered cancer insurance coverage on the job.

A 2010 multiyear study of cancer among U.S. firefighters by the National Institute for Occupation Safety and Health found that firefighters have an increased risk of cancer, especially oral, gastrointestinal, respiratory and urinary cancer.

“Not only do firefighters put their lives on the line every day to save lives, but they also put themselves at higher risk for cancer due to job-related exposure to toxic chemicals, so it’s the least we can do to make sure they get the benefits they deserve,” Commissioner Diaz said.