Nebraska firefighters push bill to aid them when a cancer diagnosis strikes

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – Firefighters face danger every day while protecting the community, often running into flames and smoke.

In addition to the immediate risks in front of them, research proves that cancer is the leading cause of death for firefighters.

Although their families will receive a death benefit if they die from something work-related, firefighters are sounding the alarm on what should be done to support them while they are still living.

“No firefighter gets into the line of duty thinking they’re going to die of cancer,” says Gary Bruns, the president of the Nebraska firefighters’ union.

He says firefighters have a 9% higher chance of getting cancer and a 14% higher chance of dying from it.

In 2024, the International Agency for Research on Cancer classified firefighting as a Class 1 carcinogen due to multiple contributing factors.

“The chemicals that are added to the gear itself, that’s meant to protect us, from things like steam burn, we found that it causes cancer,” said Bruns.

“So, every time we put the gear on, we are exposing ourselves to cancer,” he said.

Bruns describes what a cancer diagnosis can mean for a first responder.

“It’s incumbent on the firefighter to prove that they got this occupational exposure, which caused cancer,” said Bruns, adding that many times they have to hire an attorney.

“They’re required to come into work while they’re going through their cancer treatments,” he said. “We really want to have the grace for these people to get their treatments, get on the path to recovery, and return to serve.”

That’s where the idea for Legislative Bill 400 originated.

The bill aims to help cover firefighters who are diagnosed with cancer by amending the Nebraska Compensation Act.

Sen. Dave Wordekemper spent 30 years as a firefighter and paramedic and is sponsoring the bill.

“Cancer is a crisis in the firefighter service,” he said. “This bill, LB400, would put cancer for firefighters under a workers’ compensation presumption.”

This means a cancer diagnosis wouldn’t need to be proven to have come from the job in order for a firefighter to get financial help.

“We do the job, and we understand that there are dangers, and all we’re asking for is to look at the science and the research and acknowledge those and take care of us,” said Wordekemper.

LB 400 is headed to the floor of the Legislature and expected to be debated this week.