Firefighters & cancer
The Rocky contends that the proposed law is an attempt by unions to “make up for lost time", however as the Rocky later notes, the proposed law would equally apply to volunteer firefighters, who aren’t unionized, and career firefighters, many of whom are also not unionized. So much for that (weak) argument.
The Rocky also failed to do even the most cursory research into firefighters and cancer. A study conducted by the University of Cincinnati found that firefighters are at a far higher risk of contracting certain types of cancer than people in many other professions. The study found that the rate of testicular cancer is 100% higher for firefighters than the general public, that the rate of prostate cancer is 28% higher and that non-Hodgkins lymphoma is 50% higher than the general public.
A study by the insurance industry found that the mere act of serving the public as a firefighter brings about an approximate 5 year reduction in life expectancy versus the general public.
With all this in mind, even the Rocky should see past it’s typical anti-labor stand and support this legislation that will make sure that those that take care of the public are themselves taken care of.
Colorado Springs
This letter has not been edited.
So using this logic any woman in the work force will be able to get workman' comp for breast cancer as their rate is much higher than men. If the study is correct on the types of cancer why would any young man wanting a family take the risk of testicular cancer [100%] greater than everyone else?
Why should this bill be just for fire fighters? Lets make it for everyone.
Bob I do believe you are taken care of very well in your compensation and benefits that you receive in exchange for the job that you have chosen. I for one am very glad that you did so too, as I would not want to walk into a burning building.
I am the writer of the letter.
Don, the flaw in your argument is that the incidences of breast cancer in women vs men is due to gender, not the job. Workers comp shouldn't pay for that.
On the other hand, the higher incidences of cancer in firefighters is directly due to the job, and as such it is a work related injury, and therefore should be covered by workers comp.
As for why men take the job when there are such risks, I can only say that many of these health issues are just recently coming to light. They weren't known 30 years ago when i first became a firefighter.
I am fairly compensated, but I shouldn't have to spend my own money or future retirement worrying about how to pay for an on the job injury.
I am the writer of the letter.
Don, the flaw in your argument is that the incidences of breast cancer in women vs men is due to gender, not the job. Workers comp shouldn't pay for that.
On the other hand, the higher incidences of cancer in firefighters is directly due to the job, and as such it is a work related injury, and therefore should be covered by workers comp.
As for why men take the job when there are such risks, I can only say that many of these health issues are just recently coming to light. They weren't known 30 years ago when i first became a firefighter.
I am fairly compensated, but I shouldn't have to spend my own money or future retirement worrying about how to pay for an on the job injury.
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Posted by fobpwlnt otfxkmzl on July 12, 2007 09:31 AM