A row of firefighters’ helmets, coats, and boots in suspendered pants hang at the ready at a fire station. A prefiled bill in the Alabama Legislature would extend death benefits to survivors of volunteer firefighters who die of cancer that develops while they perform their duties. (Getty Images)
An Alabama legislator is sponsoring legislation to compensate the families of volunteer firefighters stricken with cancer while performing their duties.
HB 35 , sponsored by Rep. Russell Bedsole, R-Alabaster, would make survivors of volunteer firefighters eligible to receive the death benefits awarded by the State Board of Adjustment for first responders who perish in the line of duty.
“Homes in today’s world have so many more carcinogens in them, just the basic materials that are inside the homes, whether it is construction-related materials or the personal possessions we all love, electronics and things of that nature, that could potentially, if they are exposed to that much heat, put off harmful toxins,” Bedsole said in an interview Tuesday. “Firefighters are at an extreme risk, and we know this.”