Fire-fighters Steve Aicher, left, and Peter Watts with local MP Maria Vamvakinou last week celebrated new legislation that will see fireys compensated for injuries sustained on the job. 73300 Picture: DAMJAN JANEVSKI
BY NATALIE GALLENTI
FIREFIGHTERS came out in force last week to celebrate the Federal Government’s decision to introduce legislation to support workers who contract cancer due to occupational exposure.
The new legislation will recognise that 13 types of cancer are due to firefighters’ continued exposure to some 70,000 chemicals at fires and other incidents.
This will allow injured firefighters to be entitled to medical expenses and workers compensation.
The Fair Go For Firefighters Bill will make Australia the third country in the world, after Canada and the USA, to recognise that firefighters face unique occupational hazards from which other workers are protected.
United Firefighters Union national secretary Peter Marshall said firefighters were elated with the outcome and it was a significant milestone which recognised the work they did.
“In protecting the community, firefighters forego quality and quantity of life,” Mr Marshall said.
“This legislation will ensure that when a firefighter becomes ill, they will have access to appropriate compensation.”
Mr Marshall also said firefighters would now be able to avoid the bureaucracy which they previously had to deal with to identify which fire caused the cancer.
“It’s not an option for firefighters to remain outside while a fire burns.
“Every firefighter knows someone who has cancer or someone who has died from cancer.”
He said numerous scientific studies conducted in both Australia and New Zealand proved that a firefighters’ risk of contracting cancer doubled after five years of service.
“Firefighters are very humble people, you will not see them seek accolades or praise, but this (new legislation) has probably been one of the most gratifying things.
“They put their lives at risk and have now been recognised at the highest level.”
