By Brian Faga
The Herald News
FALL RIVER, Mass. — Angela Franco glanced at her 4-year-old son, Logan, as he ran and played in state Rep. Carole Fiola’s district office on North Main Street.
Franco -- the widow of Adam Franco, a Fall River firefighter who died from brain cancer three years ago -- said she will soon be able to spend more quality time with Logan, thanks to the efforts of Fiola, state Sen. Michael Rodrigues and countless other local and state officials who worked hard to secure a retirement benefit for her.
“This is going to make such a difference in Logan’s life as well as mine, not having to work 80 hours a week to provide for him,” Franco said. “It’s something I’ll never be able to thank them enough for.”
Last year, Fiola and Rodrigues filed their joint petition at the Statehouse on Angela Franco’s behalf. Her husband died in March 2015 at age 32 after having been a firefighter for less than five years.
He did not qualify for the presumption of job-related cancer date of five years, so the state lawmakers, in conjunction with the Fall River Fire Department, the City Council, Mayor Jasiel Correia’s office and the International Association of Firefighters Local 1314 worked together to secure passage of the petition, which was signed into law by Gov. Charlie Baker on Nov. 21, 2017.
On Friday, Rodrigues and Fiola presented the signed bill to Angela Franco. They were accompanied by several city firefighters, including Fall River Fire Chief John Lynch, who thanked the lawmakers for being on the side of firefighters.
“What you do for one, you do for all,” Lynch said.
Rodrigues said the petition was the result of state and local efforts to honor Adam Franco and his family.
“Our first responders put their lives on the line to protect the safety and well-being of our community. We owe them all the support we can give them,” Rodrigues said.
Fiola said dozens of phone calls, meetings, not to mention numerous letters of support provided during the bill’s hearing in the Statehouse, were crucial to securing the bill’s passage.
“From the stories I have heard about Adam, his commitment to his career and family was unprecedented and his dedication deserves to be recognized and live on through the benefits his family will receive,” Fiola said.
According to the Herald News archives, Adam Franco graduated third in his fire academy class. He served on the Fall River Fire Department’s Fire Dive Rescue Team and the Bristol County Technical Rescue Team. He also volunteered with the MDA “Fill the Boot Drive.”
Adam Franco was one of several local firefighters diagnosed with cancer in recent years. According to a 2015 study from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, firefighters are 9 percent more likely than the general public to develop cancer, and 14 percent more likely to die from cancer.
Angela Franco said the last three years have been tough and stressful at times, especially for a working single mother having to support a child on her own. She said the special petition will make a “world of difference” for her and her son.
“Just to know I can work a normal work week, and come to him and spend quality time with him, and let him have the life he deserves,” she said.
Copyright 2018 The Herald News