Md. firefighters come out in support for a hearing expanding workers’ compensation law

ANNAPOLIS, Md. – On Tuesday, there was a hearing on a measure that would expand Maryland’s workers’ compensation law for firefighters.

House Bill 233 would include more kinds of cancer among the diseases that firefighters can face in the line of duty, cancers like bladder, kidney and renal cell.

47 ABC spoke to the Professional Firefighters of Maryland, who came out with a big group in support. They say firefighters can be exposed to different toxins and smoke during a shift. They say the long term exposure can increase their risk for these types of cancer.

Vice President of the Professional Fire Fighters of Maryland, Jeffrey Buddle says, “Most firefighters do this as a career some for 20 or more years the constant exposure over a long period of time and we’re also finding that many of our firefighters are coming down with cancer.”

Buddle tells us the Economics Matters Committee tends to be supportive on matters like these and they are hopeful this bill will be approved.