Firefighter Fairness Act (Presumptive Illness Bill)
Unlike most state programs, the Federal Workers’ Compensation program does not provide for a presumption that certain illnesses are the result of specific occupations. This is particularly true for firefighters. So, some 8 years ago, a bill was introduced in Congress to change this for firefighters. The bill, commonly referred to as the Firefighter Fairness Act, has been introduced in each Congress since that time but has not gone anywhere. The measure has been introduced in this Congress in the Senate as S. 1924 and in the House as H.R. 103. The provisions of the two bills are identical.
It applies to “employees engaged in fire protection activities”. Essentially, it provides that when that individual contracts:
It is presumed that it is a result of their firefighting occupation and they are entitled to benefits.
If this measure passes, then firefighters would be entitled to benefits in the same manner and on the same basis as non-federal firefighters under the laws of most state;, however, it should be noted that most states provide lower OWCP benefits than the benefits provided to federal employees therefore, this measure opens the door for congress to consider the benefit structure.