Washington - Rep. Joe Baca (D-Rialto) reintroduced legislation today that will require the Department of Justice to presume that public safety officers who develop cancer acquired the disease in the line of duty. This will allow the officer or his or her survivors to collect financial compensation.

“I introduced this bill to help public safety officers because they have a much higher risk of developing cancer from their jobs,” said Rep. Baca. “These individuals are risking their lives to protect us, and it is critical that we address the health concerns they face.”

Congressman Baca’s bill changes existing law by stating that if a firefighter acquires cancer, the illness should be “presumed” as being acquired “in the line of duty”.

Currently, the Justice Department awards benefits to a public safety officer or their survivor if the officer has died or become permanently injured as the direct and proximate result of a personal injury sustained in the line of duty. It is extremely difficult to prove that public safety officers contracted cancer in the line of duty, even though there is statistical evidence showing that they are at an increased risk of acquiring the disease. This bill will presume that the cancer was acquired in the line of duty. Without this bill, public safety officers and their families cannot collect the financial compensation due to them.

At least 15 studies have shown a statistical link between brain cancer and firefighting. There is also research showing links between colon, bladder, kidney, lymphatic and haemotopietic cancer and exposure to toxic vapors caused by burning glues, wraps, paints, insulation and other building materials. These commonplace materials are present in almost every fire, meaning that firefighters and other public safety officers who accompany them face a serious risk of developing cancer.

“This bill is especially critical for the Inland Empire, where our public safety officers all too often do not know the conditions they are about to enter when responding to a call. Unfortunately, they do not know if they will be exposed to hazardous chemicals used to manufacture illegal drugs, such as in the methamphetamine labs that plague the region,” said Rep. Baca. “They have risked their lives to keep us safe, and our government should provide their families with financial compensation for any diseases they may have contracted due to their jobs.”

The bill defines public safety officer as law enforcement officials, firefighters, rescue squads, ambulance crews and employees of state, local or tribal emergency management or civil defense agencies.