Wellington firefighters who develop one of 21 specified cancers could gain easier access to ACC support under a new Green Party member’s bill.
The proposal would presume that eligible career and volunteer firefighters diagnosed with one of the listed cancers developed the illness through their work.
Fire investigators exposed to toxic gases released after structure fires would also be covered.
Firefighters would need to have completed a required period of service before the presumption applied. It could still be challenged if evidence showed the cancer was not caused by firefighting.
The New Zealand Professional Firefighters’ Union has welcomed the proposal, saying it would remove a major burden from firefighters seeking ACC cover while undergoing cancer treatment.
The union said firefighters faced unavoidable exposure to carcinogens at structure fires, vehicle crashes and hazardous-material incidents.
Protective equipment, cleaning and decontamination procedures could reduce exposure but could not remove the risk entirely.
Residential fires could be particularly toxic because of burning plastics, synthetic furnishings and modern construction materials.
Under the existing system, firefighters may be required to provide extensive evidence connecting a diagnosis with exposures accumulated across numerous emergency scenes.
The union said that process could be lengthy and stressful for firefighters and their families.
NZPFU national secretary Wattie Watson said presumptive cancer protection would be significant for current firefighters and future generations entering the service.
The union has campaigned for the legislation for almost 15 years. Similar protections are already available to firefighters in Australia, Canada and much of the United States.
Green MP Mike Davidson developed the bill with input from the union.
The Greens are seeking support from 61 MPs who are not ministers or parliamentary under-secretaries. That support would allow the bill to bypass the members’ bill ballot and be placed directly on Parliament’s Order Paper.
