Congresswoman Cherfilus-McCormick Votes to Support Injured and Sick Federal Firefighters
Today, Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick voted to pass the Federal Firefighters Fairness Act of 2022, which would strengthen access to workers’ compensation benefits for federal firefighters, including those in the 20th Congressional District of Florida, who become injured or ill on the job.
Washington, DC – Today, Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick voted to pass the Federal Firefighters Fairness Act of 2022, which would strengthen access to workers’ compensation benefits for federal firefighters, including those in the 20th Congressional District of Florida, who become injured or ill on the job.
“To keep our communities safe, firefighters must be routinely exposed to work-related hazards—from diesel emissions to carbon monoxide to cancer-causing chemicals released during fires,” said Congresswoman Cherfilus-McCormick. “Unfortunately, when firefighters employed by the federal government become injured or ill on the job, they often face steep challenges to seeking the medical and financial relief that they deserve and need. The Federal Firefighters Fairness Act of 2022 would take critical steps to secure access to workers' compensation benefits for federal firefighters and help ensure that we stand behind these heroic federal firefighters who risk their lives to protect all Americans.”
Firefighters are at high risk of contracting occupational illnesses because of routine exposure to smoke, heat, stress, toxic substances, and other work-related hazards. Most states provide firefighters who seek workers’ compensation benefits for work-related illness and injury with the presumption that certain diseases are work-related.
Unfortunately, the roughly 15,000 firefighters employed by the federal government are covered by a system that is poorly designed to provide benefits for occupational disease caused by exposure to toxic substances. This leaves federal firefighters and their families without the workers’ compensation protections that they deserve and that firefighters across the country are already guaranteed.
The Federal Firefighters Fairness Act of 2022 would make it easier for federal firefighters to secure workers’ compensation benefits under the Federal Employees’ Compensation Act by, among other actions, providing a science-based presumption that certain illnesses should be deemed work-related.