HB65 expands firefighters’ access to cancer screenings

Firefighters risk their lives daily but that’s not the leading cause of death – it’s cancer. An important bill, HB65 Firefighter Cancer Amendments, that will provide medical support and access to cancer screenings and early detection was passed by the legislature March 5. 

“This is enormous,” said South Davis Metro Fire Chief Greg Stewart. “There is exposure on every fire we go on. This bill makes screenings accessible for all departments with tracking and coverage by workers compensation. That’s huge.”

Firefighters are nine times more likely to die from cancer, he said. “As a department we’ve done cancer studies for 50 different types of cancer markers. That costs $650 a test. That was just a blood screening.”

Previously there were four cancers that were presumed to be work related, said Stewart. “This moves it to 15 types. That’s huge for our community. The whole point is early detection.”

Stewart said his department has been doing what they can to prevent exposure to toxins. “It’s our policy that everyone showers within an hour of a call to remove any decontaminates from the scene. We have air cleaners in the vehicles to get the toxins out of the air and we push for every firefighter to have a second set of (turnout) gear to wear while theirs is being cleaned.”

That’s what they’ve done locally as a department, he said. “But the bill gives the ability for widespread screening for cancer.”

“I’ve slept with my fire gear for my entire adult life it seems like,” said Marty Peterson with the Pension Membership Council – PFFU. “Recently I had a cancer screening. They scanned my body and found my bladder had a tumor in it. It was the size of two average thumbs put together inside my bladder. That’s how big my tumor was.”

Peterson said he benefited so much from early detection and cancer screening. “I’ve appreciated that opportunity and hope that opportunity is made available to every firefighter.”

“We’ve all had colleagues that have passed away from cancer,” said Lehi Fire Chief Jeremy Craft. “Not just one or two. It’s very prevalent in the fire service to lose a colleague or friend. For me personally I was recently diagnosed with two types of cancer through a testing process. I was passionate before, but this has really brought my passion to the forefront. For me it was caught early.”

“Utah’s firefighters put everything on the line to protect us, often at great personal risk,” said Gov. Spencer J. Cox. “With HB65, we’re making it clear that their health and safety matter just as much as the lives they work tirelessly to save. Expanding cancer screenings and medical support is the right thing to do for those who sacrifice so much for Utah.”

dangers don’t end with their shift ends, said bill sponsor, Rep. Casey Snider, a volunteer with the Paradise Fire Department. “Too often, that danger lingers in the form of deadly disease, taking the lives of those who have already sacrificed so much for their communities. They show up for us – we’re showing up for them.”