Six First Responder Organizations are working together to support a bill which has been introduced in the House and the Senate this week.  Named the “Mississippi First Responder Health and Safety Act,” the bill covers job-related illnesses for both volunteer and career firefighters and career police officers, including heart/lung disease, communicable diseases, hearing loss and some occupational cancers.  

Although the bill allows for the claim to be rebuttable by the employer, there is plenty of scientific evidence to show higher levels of cancer and health problems for first responders due to shift work, high stress levels, and the chemicals and carcinogens from the combustion byproducts contained in smoke.  

A study done by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) in October 2013 found that fire fighters have a 14% increased risk of dying from cancer compared to the general population.  A study of 464 members of the Buffalo, New York Police Department showed signs of occupational health disparity within five years of employment.  

Mississippi is one of only three states in the nation that have no legislation protection for first responders. 

The six organizations supporting the legislation include the:  Mississippi State Troopers Association, Professional Firefighters Association of Mississippi, Mississippi Firefighters Association, Mississippi Fire Chief’s Association, Mississippi Association of Police Chief’s Association and the International Association of Firefighters.  Download Talking Point Flier here.