Lawmakers on the state Labor Committee have given preliminary approval to a measure that would provide firefighters with additional coverage specially for cancer treatment.
Firefighter in Waterbury say cancer diagnoses have become a serious problem for both current and former members of the department. Three have been diagnosed with varying kinds of cancer over the past year.
Brad Sabol, a seven-year veteran of the department, was diagnosed with testicular cancer just yesterday.
“It’s not something I expected. I’m otherwise healthy. I haven’t had any other major medical problems," Sabol said. "It came out of nowhere, a shock.”
His health insurance will cover many of the new expenses but there are some unknowns, and now he worries about missing work for treatment.
“More than an issue of the insurance is the time off. If it’s covered then I have the time off that I need. If not, I may run out of sick time while I’m undergoing chemo, that could become an issue,” he said.
Lawmakers on the Labor Committee have given preliminary approval to a measure that would give firefighters additional coverage specifically for cancer treatment.
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Doctors have pinpointed some direct links between fighting fires and certain types of cancer.
“What we found is that when these materials combust – couches, mattresses – when these materials combust, they give up these harmful flame retardants, these chemicals that are now proven to cause cancer in firefighters," said Dr. Michael Hamrock, of Massachusetts.
Hamrock has worked with firefighters in Boston and helped to treat several who eventually passed away.
"We've lost too many good firefighters to cancer," Hamrock said.
Firefighters have accepted a donation of fresh hoods that would protect them from some carcinogens. Dirty, smoke-stained hoods, Hamrock said, still carry harmful carcinogens that could be harmful firefighters' health.
Lawmakers say they don't think the measure will be difficult sell, even though it doesn't yet have a precise price tag.
“I think science speaks for itself in dealing with this issue," said State Rep. Jeffrey Berger, a Democrat who represents Waterbury.
Dan Huften, another Waterbury firefighter of 18 years who retired after hurting his back, was diagnosed with colorectal cancer last year. He says the measure is something that he knows some but not all firefighters will need down the road. He's helped lead the effort to get lawmakers to act.
“When I found out my diagnosis and I delved into this topic, I was astounded how prevalent the issue of cancer in firefighters was," Huften said.
“Our intent is for none of our guys to ever have to use this legislation to prevent this cancer from happening to us, but more importantly, the legislation would help our families – God forbid – if we did succumb to this disease,” he said.
