LANSING, Mich. — Gov. Rick Snyder signed a bill Wednesday that will help firefighters who have developed cancer while working on the job.
The new law allows firefighters to qualify for compensation through a First Responders Fund if they meet certain conditions, WYXZ reported.
“We all value the important work our firefighters do each and every day,” Snyder said in a statement. “Firefighters face significant, and frequently unidentifiable, hazards on the job. This bill recognizes the potential health risks they face, especially in terms of cancers, and simplifies the claims process so stricken firefighters can get assistance they need.”
Snyder said he had concerns about how the program will be funded; he hopes legislators will come up with a long-term plan.
“The legislature did not identify a mechanism to finance the program,” he said. “As a result, this bill creates a system where an important benefit would be available first-come-first-serve, and only when funds are available.”
He encouraged legislature to take up the funding issue soon.
“With a deep respect for our state’s firefighters, gratitude to the legislature for addressing this important issue and for the work I know the legislature will do on identifying funding, I sign this bill,” Snyder said.