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Bill eyes cancer aid for firefighters

Alan Gathright, Rocky Mountain News

Published February 2, 2007 at midnight

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Firefighters say they can't get workers compensation for cancer, even though studies show they are exposed to carcinogenic fumes during routine fires.

With cancer rates far higher than among police officers and the general population, they're urging a shift in state law that would relieve them of the burden of proving specific fires caused certain cancers. House Bill 1008, sponsored by Mike Cerbo, D-Denver, would shift the responsibility to require employers or insurance companies to prove the disease was not work-related.

"Every firefighter is exposed to high levels of carcinogens at almost every fire," Littleton Battalion Chief Ray Rahne told the House Business Affairs and Labor Committee on Thursday.

He listed three active or retired colleagues who died of various cancers linked to specific contaminants triggered during fires. But Rahne and union officials said most firefighters stopped filing workers comp cancer claims years ago because claims were rejected when workers could not pinpoint the exact fire and chemical exposure evidence.

Firefighters unwittingly exposed themselves to dangerous chemicals over dec-ades before anyone recognized the cancer risk, Rahne said.

The bill has drawn opposition from the Colorado Municipal League and insurance providers, who warn that providing firefighters with a legal "presumption" that certain high-risk cancers are work-related will drive up workers comp costs for employers.

Committee Chairwoman Rep. Rosemary Marshall, D-Denver, delayed action to give lawmakers time to study the issue.

In other action:

• Senate Bill 1 The House approved the bill to allow people who can't afford health insurance to buy generic prescription drugs through the state. The bill now goes back to the Senate for consideration of amendments.

• Senate HB 1055 The House approved and sent to the Senate the bill that would require school districts slashing teacher salaries to cut salaries for administrators.

• HB1174 The House approved and sent to the Senate a measure that would continue the concealed weapons registration database.

• HB 1150 The House Transportation & Energy Committee approved the bill to create a five-member board that would provide grants and loans to build the power lines necessary to get renewable-energy electricity to market.

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