FRANKFORT, Ky. — Families of Kentucky firefighters who die of cancer will receive death benefits after a new state law was passed Tuesday.
The Daily Independent reported that Secretary of State Alison Grimes filed Senate Bill 195, which was unanimously passed by the General Assembly and became law without the governor’s signature. The law classifies the death of a firefighter from cancer as a line of duty death.
The bill was advocated for by Joe Baer, president of the Kentucky Professional Firefighters Association and a retired firefighter.
“We needed to do something to help these people who risk their life for their city,” Baer said. “But we acknowledge, this is just the start.”
Kentucky was one of 17 states that lacked laws to compensate firefighters diagnosed with a type of cancer presumably caused by their occupation. The new law will provide $80,000 to families of both professional and volunteer firefighters, but not until after their death.
Stipulations are included in the bill, such as a firefighter must have been active for five years prior to diagnosis and tobacco free for 10 years. The cap age for eligible recipients is 65.
“It’s a fantastic bill,” Ashland Fire Chief Scott Penick said. “I think all of those people who passed away had some part in getting this legislation done.”
The families of firefighters who die before the law is enacted won’t receive the death benefit package, according to the report.
“This is the first step to get recognition that firefighters are more prone to various cancers than the general population,” Baer said. “Firefighters most often aren’t dying from burns or smoke inhalation or heart attacks. It’s cancer that’s killing firefighters off.”
Proponents of further legislation will seek workers’ compensation and extended leave benefits for firefighters diagnosed with cancer.