By FireRescue1 Staff
CASPER, Wyo. — In memory of a fellow firefighter who died from cancer, colleagues are supporting a new bill that would grant firefighters with cancer immediate access to benefits.
Casper Fire Capt. Jeff Atkinson was diagnosed with testicular cancer before dying in 2014. He was denied worker’s compensation, but did not appeal the decision because he did not want to spend valuable time battling in court.
Capt. Atkinson and his wife, Kristen, were also busy raising their two young children, reported Wyoming News.
“We didn’t really have the time or energy to fight what we thought was going to be a tough fight,” Kristen Atkinson said.
Colleagues donated their sick leave, held fundraisers and drove Capt. Atkinson to his daily treatments. Several years after his death, colleagues are pushing for new legislation that would grant firefighters diagnosed with work-related cancer immediate access to benefits.
The bill would cover cancers linked to exposure to heat, smoke, radiation or carcinogens. Burden of proof would also fall on employers, a change from prior standards. Firefighters must have worked full-time for at least 10 years to qualify. Volunteer firefighters can also qualify if they participate in at least 40 percent of drills and 25 percent of emergency calls.
“This is something we can do to let our guys know we’re there for them,” firefighter Dane Anderson said.