Connecticut Expands Cancer Relief Program for Firefighters

Gov. Ned Lamont recently signed into law legislation (Senate Bill 1426) making several updates to the Connecticut Firefighters Cancer Relief Program, including adding skin cancer to the types of cancer covered under the program, and modifying the language governing eligibility to make it clear that all firefighters statewide have access to the program, regardless of whether they work for a state or municipal fire department.

The program provides for municipalities to pay workers’ compensation-like wage replacement and other benefits to firefighters who have certain cancers and meet other criteria “in the same amount and in the same manner” that would be provided under the Connecticut Workers’ Compensation Act. The municipalities can then seek reimbursement from the state for those payments.

According to the Firefighter Cancer Support Network, skin cancer is one of the leading cancers that firefighters develop. Other types of cancer already covered by the program include those affecting the brain or the skeletal, digestive, endocrine, respiratory, lymphatic, reproductive, urinary, or hematological systems.

“This program was created with the understanding that firefighters have high-risk jobs and are exposed to toxins that can wreak havoc on their health and put them at risk for cancer,” Lamont said. “Expanding its coverage and making it clear that all firefighters in Connecticut are eligible is the right thing to do. I appreciate lawmakers on both sides of the aisle for crafting this legislation, voting in favor of it, and sending it to my desk.”

In June 2022, the cancer relief program reported there were three projected claims by firefighters; in June 2023, there were four claims totaling $539,095 and seven projected claims; and in June, 2024 there was one claim for $4,527 plus a projected total of 26 more claims based on data from the firefighters association.

On May 1, the state employee health plan began providing firefighters with free, enhanced cancer screenings every two years.

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