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Gave It All On
9-11-2001
Current
Threat Level
Title: To amend title 5, United States Code, to create a presumption that disability of a Federal employee in fire protection activities caused by certain conditions is presumed to result from the performance of such employee's duty.
Sponsor: Rep Davis, Jo Ann [VA-1] (introduced 2/9/2005) Cosponsors (43)
- Why is this bill for "Federal Firefighter" and not for "ALL" firefighters?
TALKING POINTS
FEDERAL
FIRE FIGHTERS
PRESUMPTIVE LAW
- They
are
called upon to protect our national interests on all properties
including Federal facilities and many more non-federal facilities.
- Most
Fire Fighters are denied claims
for years even though some (38) states have
presumptive disability coverage for workplace injuries.
- Sufficient
compensation and retirement benefits are
not provided to
most
firefighters who suffer from occupational illnesses unless they
can
specify the
precise cause of their illness or injury.
- This
onerous requirement makes it nearly impossible for fire
fighters, who
suffer from occupational diseases, to receive fair and just
compensation or
retirement benefits.
- The
Federal Fire Fighters Fairness Act would create a presumption that fire
fighters who become disabled by heart and lung disease, certain
cancers, and
infectious diseases contracted the illness on the job. This needs to
cover ALL firefighters.
- Employers
would be able to offer evidence that the illness was not directly work
related,
but the burden of proof would be on the employer.
- The
Federal Fire Fighters Fairness Act will provide federal fire fighters
with the
same benefits enjoyed by SOME
of their Brothers and Sisters in a few of
the municipal sector organizations.
- 12
states have no
presumptive disability coverage for workplace injuries. We need to make this law effect all
firefighters in all states and territories.
wrjorgenGWDT