Oregon House Bill Protects Portland Fire Fighters

The Oregon State Fire Fighters Council (OSFFC) would like to thank our leaders in the Oregon Legislature for their consideration and ultimate passage of House Bill 2915. House Bill 2915 extends to Portland fire fighters the presumption that death, disability, or impairment caused by heart or lung disease are compensable diseases for which career fire fighters are covered since 1961 under the worker’s compensation statute.

Firefighting is inherently a dangerous occupation, but the danger continues to grow with exposures that are unpredictable. During the firefighting process, dangerous chemicals are absorbed, inhaled and ingested due to contact with dust, fumes, vapors, gases and radiation of dangerous and poisonous particulates. According to research by the CDC and National Institute of Occupational Health and Safety (NIOSH), fire fighters have a 9 percent higher risk of being diagnosed with cancer and a 14 percent higher risk of dying from cancer than the general U.S. population.

OSFFC President, Karl Koenig says, “This critical legislation demonstrates that our elected officials in Oregon recognize fire fighters as being at a higher risk for lung and heart disease. This presumption assures every career firefighter in Portland  and their families now are equal to the rest of Oregon’s fire fighters.”  

Thank you to Representatives Dacia Grayber (District 35) and Representative Janeen Sollman (District 30) and Senators Kate Lieber (District 14) and Rob Wagner (District 19) who were instrumental in leading the charge in this bipartisan bill to the Governor’s Office for her signature. Resulting in the equal protection when heart and lung injuries occur to all career fire fighters in Oregon.