Bill to Help Firefighters Battling Cancer Moves Forward

Updated: Wed, Oct 07 2015, 09:20 AM | Elizabeth Faugl

COLUMBUS (Brooks Jarosz) – Firefighters battling cancer, and their families, could soon be better protected if a bill passes through the Ohio Statehouse.

Staggering statistics show one in 14 Columbus firefighters suffer from cancer. That’s in comparison to one in nearly 200 people in Ohio who have cancer.

Firefighter Mark Rine is one of them. He has melanoma and was told he only has a few years to live. Studies show a link between firefighting and skin-related cancers because of the high heat and absorption of toxic air.

34 states have protections and benefits to prevent and battle cancer, and also protect a firefighter’s family. However, that’s not the case in Ohio.

Following an ABC 6 Investigation, a new bill was introduced to better protect those who protect us. It would cost roughly $87 million, shield employers against preexisting conditions and require firefighters get regular cancer screenings.

Rine helped get this legislation going. Bill sponsor, Representative Christina Hagan, testified Tuesday, calling for the state to take action.

“I think about a family like Mark’s with a wife and five children,” Rep. Christina Hagan said. “If he were to become more ill or deceased for that matter, what would happen to that family? They would have no survivor benefits.”

Hagan added, “This would put into place a care package for that family to help them through what could be the most difficult time they’ve ever experienced.”

The total price tag is just a tenth of a percent of the state’s annual budget. Next, firefighters are expected to testify to lawmakers with their personal stories of battling cancer.