Senator Merritt is currently working on legislation to add
Neurological Denegerative Diseases due to Occupational exsposures, which includes Parkinson's Disease, to the Firefighter's
Presumptive Law. This opportunity has had far reaching potential of going well beyond a simple change in law to a research
and education endeavor to connect with experts and share information to safeguard our public safety personnel from long term
neurological degenerative disease due to occupational exposures. With the help from State Firefighter Union President Tom
Hanify and the International Association of Firefighters , Senator Merritt is drafting this legislation for the 2009 Indiana
General Assembly.
PRESUMPTIVE LEGISLATION FOR FIRE FIGHTERS ISSUES AND FACTS DEFINITION Presumptive
legislation is defined as legislation that links a specific occupation, such as fire fighting, with a disease or condition
that has been shown to be a hazard associated with that occupation. This means that if a Fire Fighter contracts a disease
such as colon cancer, it is presumed that the illness is the result of occupational exposure to chemicals and toxins.
BACKGROUND FACTS & HISTORY Fire Fighters face a wide variety of hazards while
carrying out the occupational requirement of saving lives and reducing property damage. Fire Fighters are regularly exposed
to burning chemicals and other toxins. There are 70,000 toxic substances on file with the Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA) in the United States. In reality, when these substances burn together, there are 70 million possible combinations that
are created in a fire. Fire Fighters routinely endure exposure to these burning toxins in the course of protecting the lives
and property of their fellow citizens.
It is fact that even with the best respiratory practices and protective equipment
the exposures will continue to occur due to absorption through the skin once a fire fighter has become soaked during fire
suppression activities. Furthermore, the concentration of chemicals in today’s materials is much higher then in the
past due to the increased use of composite materials. Many studies have revealed an increased rate of disease in the Fire
Fighter population versus the general population. These studies show a statistically significant increase that cannot be explained
by chance. Studies show Fire Fighters have anywhere from 2-4 times the risk of cancers compared to the general population.
If you factor in the healthy worker effect, the rates are even higher.
Senator Merritt has courage and vision our state needs to move us through the
21st Century and Beyond. In today's challenging and complex world, Senator Merritt’s ability at being highly effective
is result of his thrive, ability to innovate, excel, and lead in this new reality, he understands that we must reach beyond
effectiveness and move towards fulfillment, contribution, and greatness. This is why I am proud and humble to say he is my
friend and mentor.
Private Members Bill Seeks Workers Compensation for Firefighters
Ontario firefighters and their families deserve
just compensation should they develop an occupational disease, says NDP-MPP Andrea Horwath.
Horwath is the sponsor of Bill 111, An Act to amend the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, 1997 with respect to occupational
diseases and injuries to firefighters. If enacted, certain cancers or a degenerative neurological disease suffered by a firefighter
will be presumed to be caused by their work. Heart damage suffered while fighting a fire or within 24 hours would also be
presumed caused by their employment as a firefighter.
"Ontario should lead, not trail others in these matters," says Horwath. "A decade after Hamilton's notorious and deadly
Plastimet fire, action is already long overdue."
