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RESOLUTION URGING THE FLORIDA LEGISLATURE TO ENACT LEGISLATION THAT WOULD (1) INCLUDE CANCER AS A PRESUMPTIVE CONDITION FOR FIREFIGHTERS FOR PURPOSES OF STATE DISABILITY AND DEATH BENEFITS, AND/OR (2) REQUIRE FIRE SERVICE EMPLOYERS OF FULL-TIME FIREFIGHTERS TO OFFER CANCER INSURANCE COVERAGE AND RELATED BENEFITS TO ITS FIREFIGHTER EMPLOYEES

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WHEREAS, firefighters are called upon to perform work that is life-saving in its importance but is dangerous, exhausting, physically demanding, and emotionally draining; and
WHEREAS, fighting fires often means exposure to plastics, flame retardants and a variety of toxic chemicals that can cause cancer; and
WHEREAS, while protective gear and breathing apparatuses have improved over the years, firefighters still inhale soot and toxins and absorb them through their skin; and
WHEREAS, a 2010 multi-year study of cancer among U.S. firefighters by the National Institute for Occupation Safety and Health found that firefighters have increased risk of cancer generally and that increased risk was primarily driven by certain types of cancer, particularly oral, gastrointestinal, respiratory, and urinary cancers; and
WHEREAS, additionally, researchers in a 2006 study by the University of Cincinnati, after reviewing 32 studies related to firefighters� cancer risk, concluded that firefighters had a higher risk of non-Hodgkin�s lymphoma, prostate, and testicular cancer; and
WHEREAS, during the 2017 session of the Florida Legislature, identical Senate and House bills, Senate Bill (SB) 158 by Senator Jack Latvala (R�Clearwater) and House Bill (HB) 143 by Representative Heather Fitzenhagen (R�Fort Myers), were filed for consideration which would have included cancer as a presumptive condition for firefighters for purposes of state disability and death benefits; and
WHEREAS, currently, Florida is one of only 13 states that has not passed some form of firefighter cancer presumption law; and
WHEREAS, on April 4, 2017, this Board adopted Resolution No. R-401-17 urging the Florida Legislature to enact SB 158, HB 143, or similar legislation; and
WHEREAS, both SB 158 and HB 143, however, died in committee; and
WHEREAS, during the 2018 session of the Florida Legislature, identical Senate and House bills, SB 900 by Senator Anitere Flores (R�Miami) and HB 695 by Representatives Chris Latvala (R�Clearwater) and Heather Fitzenhagen (R�Fort Myers), were filed for consideration which would have required fire service employers of full-time firefighters to offer cancer insurance coverage and related benefits to its firefighter employees upon certain conditions of employment being satisfied; and
WHEREAS, SB 900 and HB 695 also died in committee; and
WHEREAS, it is anticipated that legislation similar to the above will be filed for consideration during the 2019 session of the Florida Legislature; and
WHEREAS, given the tremendous sacrifices firefighters make to protect the public, their health and welfare should be protected during their career and after they retire; and
WHEREAS, as such, this Board would again like to express its support for such legislation,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA, that this Board:
Section 1. Urges the Florida Legislature to enact legislation that would (1) include cancer as a presumptive condition for firefighters for purposes of state disability and death benefits, and/or (2) require fire service employers of full-time firefighters to offer cancer insurance coverage and related benefits to its firefighter employees.
Section 2. Directs the Clerk of the Board to transmit a certified copy of this resolution to the Governor, Senate President, House Speaker, Senator Anitere Flores, Representatives Chris Latvala and Heather Fitzenhagen, and the Chair and remaining Members of the Miami-Dade State Legislative Delegation.
Section 3. Directs the County�s state lobbyists to advocate for the legislation set forth in Section 1 above, and authorizes and directs the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs to include this item in the 2019 State Legislative Package when it is presented to the Board.