I am writing in strong support of HB 1317. I have served for over 23 years as a firefighter and paramedic in Arlington County, and I currently reside in Springfield, Virginia. I am also a member of IAFF Local 2800 and am submitting this testimony in my personal capacity.
Firefighters are exposed to carcinogens on a routine basis — not only from smoke at fire scenes, but also from diesel exhaust, contaminated protective gear, and the cumulative physiological effects of shift work, fatigue, and disrupted sleep. Today, the occupation itself is widely recognized as carrying elevated cancer risk, not just isolated chemical exposures.
Many occupational cancers do not develop until years after the initial exposures. As a result, it is common for firefighters to retire before symptoms appear, even though the disease is directly related to their years of service. I have known colleagues who developed cancer both while still working and after retirement. When benefit eligibility is limited to a short post-retirement window, families can be left without protection despite the occupational nature of the illness.
Families already absorb the realities of public safety work — irregular schedules, mandatory overtime, missed holidays, and long absences during emergencies. When a job-related cancer develops years later, those burdens do not disappear. Instead, families face medical uncertainty and financial strain at the very time when stability is most critical.
HB 1317 appropriately addresses this reality by extending Line of Duty Act survivor benefit eligibility for certain occupational cancers beyond current post-retirement limits. This recognizes the medical reality of delayed disease onset and aligns benefit eligibility with how occupational cancer actually develops.
Many departments are improving early detection and health monitoring, which is encouraging. But when cancer is diagnosed, families should not be penalized simply because the disease appeared outside an arbitrary time window that does not reflect occupational risk patterns. Extending eligibility supports family stability and honors the long-term sacrifices made by public safety workers.
For additional context on this bill and related firefighter safety priorities, I have attached a one-page policy brief for your reference.
I respectfully ask the committee to report HB 1317 favorably and allow it to advance.
I am writing in strong support of HB 1317. I have served for over 23 years as a firefighter and paramedic in Arlington County, and I currently reside in Springfield, Virginia. I am also a member of IAFF Local 2800 and am submitting this testimony in my personal capacity. Firefighters are exposed to carcinogens on a routine basis — not only from smoke at fire scenes, but also from diesel exhaust, contaminated protective gear, and the cumulative physiological effects of shift work, fatigue, and disrupted sleep. Today, the occupation itself is widely recognized as carrying elevated cancer risk, not just isolated chemical exposures. Many occupational cancers do not develop until years after the initial exposures. As a result, it is common for firefighters to retire before symptoms appear, even though the disease is directly related to their years of service. I have known colleagues who developed cancer both while still working and after retirement. When benefit eligibility is limited to a short post-retirement window, families can be left without protection despite the occupational nature of the illness. Families already absorb the realities of public safety work — irregular schedules, mandatory overtime, missed holidays, and long absences during emergencies. When a job-related cancer develops years later, those burdens do not disappear. Instead, families face medical uncertainty and financial strain at the very time when stability is most critical. HB 1317 appropriately addresses this reality by extending Line of Duty Act survivor benefit eligibility for certain occupational cancers beyond current post-retirement limits. This recognizes the medical reality of delayed disease onset and aligns benefit eligibility with how occupational cancer actually develops. Many departments are improving early detection and health monitoring, which is encouraging. But when cancer is diagnosed, families should not be penalized simply because the disease appeared outside an arbitrary time window that does not reflect occupational risk patterns. Extending eligibility supports family stability and honors the long-term sacrifices made by public safety workers. For additional context on this bill and related firefighter safety priorities, I have attached a one-page policy brief for your reference. I respectfully ask the committee to report HB 1317 favorably and allow it to advance.