counter for tumblr

NCSFA

North Carolina State Firefighters Association

You are here: Home / Benefits / Cancer Benefits for North Carolina Firefighters

Photo Credit: WLOS Staff

ASHEVILLE, N.C. (WLOS) — Over six months, the number of North Carolina firefighters reporting cancers to the state’s voluntary registry has tripled.

Tucked in the state’s $25.9-billion-dollar signed budget is a provision that takes firefighters from having the fewest to some of the strongest cancer protections in the country.

WHO WILL BENEFIT FROM NORTH CAROLINA’S FIRST COMPREHENSIVE STATE BUDGET IN 3 YEARS?

News 13 found firefighters who’ve battled occupational cancer are grateful for the pilot program that will protect other firefighters going forward.

At Blue Mountain Urology in Haywood County, Barry Coward recently finished his third round of chemo treatments.

“I think you did a lot better with it,” said his wife Jessica as they walked out of the office.

NEW DATA FINDS ONE DIVISION OF THE FIRE SERVICE MAY BE AT A GREATER HEALTH RISK

The chemo is keeping the former firefighter, now EMT’s, bladder cancer at bay, but leaves him wiped out along with his appetite.

“We actually had a Thanksgiving at our house, this past weekend and he didn’t eat anything,” said Jessica.

“I picked around,’ said Barry.

Barry’s treatments are the couple’s new normal. The medical bills could have meant financial ruin, had Jessica not insisted on a supplemental cancer insurance policy.

“We would be sunk,” said Barry. 

“I don’t even want to think about how terrible it would be,” Jessica added.

Going forward it might be different for other firefighters diagnosed with cancer. The state’s new budget gives all eligible firefighters statewide something similar. The $15-million-dollar, two-year pilot supplemental insurance policy helps those diagnosed with cancer after January 1, 2022.

CLICK HERE TO WATCH DEADLIER THAN FIRE – A WLOS DOCUMENTARY

“It’s good news for sure because it’s the first positive step that’s ever been able to be made,” said Barry Coward.

The pilot program is different from earlier proposed legislation that asked for workers’ compensation changes. It gives diagnosed firefighters $12,000 for out of pocket medical expenses, a $25,000 lump sum payment for each diagnosis capped at $50,000, and 75 % of a firefighter’s monthly salary or $5,000 whichever is less if they can’t work during treatment and they’re not receiving workers’ comp benefits. 

It comes as the Office of State Fire Marshal’s voluntary cancer registry topped 159 cases as of November 22, 2021, three times more than what was reported in May 2021.

“Numbers don’t lie, and the carcinogens are there and they’re worse now than they’ve ever been,” said Rep. Mike Clampitt, (R)-District 119 Haywood, Jackson, Swain.

Rep. Clampitt retired after 31 years as a Charlotte area fire captain. He believes his prostate cancer has a connection to his job.

“We used a lot of that AFFF foam in my career working at the airport and other locations,” said Rep. Clampitt.

It’s why he and Rep. Jason Saine, another volunteer firefighter, fought so hard for the pilot benefits and funding for a foam exposures/use registry in the latest budget cycle.

“It’s just a start. We got more work to do. and I hope to be there to be able to do that,” Clampitt said.

DEADLIER THAN FIRE DOCUMENTARY

“It would be nice if no firefighters ever got cancer again, but that’s just not the way the world works, that’s not the dangers that they face, but for that, at least we’ll have something to assist in that time of need,” said Rep. Jason Saine, (R)-District 97 Lincoln.

While Barry’s not eligible for the new benefits, he’s grateful in a way you wouldn’t expect.

“I’m thankful that it happened to me, because I’ve learned a lot through it. I’ve grown, I’ve grown in my faith through this,” said Coward.

It’s strengthened the couple’s bond.

“There has not been a cystoscopy, a chemo treatment, a CT, a Urogram nothing, and anything, nothing that she’s not been right there,” said Barry Coward.

Both are grateful to their employers Haywood County EMS and the Haywood County Schools for their unwavering support, through absences.

“The way that they are helping out at work has been a huge burden that’s been lifted off of us,” said Jessica Coward.

Both are also thankful that the state has taken steps to help future firefighters diagnosed with cancer.

“I think that they’re really trying to make a conscious effort to make up a lot of lost ground and you know it’s not necessarily going to help a lot of people who are already affected by it, but it will help you know future,” said Jessica Coward.

Right now, there’s still no assistance for retired firefighters.

The North Carolina Office of State Fire Marshal provided the following information about reported cancer cases to their voluntary registry.

Total Cancer Cases reported statewide: 159

Firefighters who have died as a result of a cancer diagnosis: 29

Total number of Fire Departments Reporting statewide: 99 = 8% of Fire Departments statewide

Buncombe County Totals:

  • Asheville Fire Department: 8 cancer cases; 3 deceased
  • Reems Creek Valley Fire Department: 4 cancer cases; 1 deceased
  • Swannanoa Volunteer Fire Department & Rescue Squad: 1 cancer case
  • Weaverville Fire Department: 0 cancer cases

Reader Interactions

Comments

  53. Thɑnk you for tһe auspicious writeup. It in fact was a amusеment account it.

    Look advanced to more added agｒeeable from you!
    However, how can we communicate?

  55. private mortgage rates Mortgages fund
    alternative real-estate loans which do not qualify under standard guidelines.
    Borrowers can make lump sum payments annually and accelerated
    bi-weekly or weekly payments to spend mortgages faster. Lenders assess employment
    stability and income sources as borrowers with variable
    or self-employed income often face more scrutiny.

  56. Mortgage payment frequency options include weekly, bi-weekly, semi-monthly
    or monthly. The minimum advance payment for an insured mortgage was
    increased from 5% to 10% in 2022 for homes over $500k.
    Reverse how much mortgage can i get with $70000 salary canada products help house asset rich income constrained seniors generate retirement income
    streams without required repayments until death or moving
    out transfers tax preferred successors value.

  59. Targeting healthcare sector skills shortages, school of medicine loan forgiveness programs
    incentivize graduates to apply rurally in underserved community
    clinics nationwide. Simplified applications allow reputable Canadian online lenders to offer emergency expense
    funding safely with guaranteed instant approvals.
    Qualified applicants get reassurance with guaranteed approvals on emergency
    expense loans from Canada’s responsive 24/7 online lenders.

  60. I gave full spectrum cbd gummies a try for the treatment of the maiden habits, and I’m amazed! They tasted great and provided a be under the impression that of calmness and relaxation. My emphasis melted away, and I slept outstrip too. These gummies are a game-changer since me, and I highly endorse them to anyone seeking appropriate pain recess and well-advised sleep.

  68. что означает если снится кровь на человеке будет
    ли конец света в 2024 году а ты знаешь что сниться мне
    сон ходить по магазинам, к чему снится выбирать одежду
    в магазине создать дракона магией

  71. детские сады череповца 63 заказать
    роллы на дом пенза рт г казань московский район
    купить билеты на поезд ржд смоленск
    лазаревское дом из клееного бруса владивосток стоимость
    путевок в детские лагеря липецка

  76. требуются дети для рекламы в алматы, кастинг
    для детей астана қоңыр ат қыз текст, қоңырат
    қыз әні естествознание 5 класс верховцева, гдз
    естествознание 5 класс верховцева 2 часть закон спроса и
    предложения своими словами, предпринимательский
    кодекс рк статья 144

  77. hello there and thank you for your information – I’ve definitely
    picked up anything new from right here. I did however expertise some technical issues using this website,
    as I experienced to reload the website a lot of times previous
    to I could get it to load correctly. I had been wondering if
    your web host is OK? Not that I’m complaining, but slow loading
    instances times will often affect your placement in google
    and can damage your high-quality score if ads and marketing with Adwords.

    Well I’m adding this RSS to my e-mail and could look out for much more of your respective exciting content.
    Make sure you update this again soon.

  83. код ошибки 05 при оплате картой, эмитент недоступен это какая тушь мери кей лучше, тушь мери кей лаш лав отзывы vilka
    доставка, vilka алматы доставка халықаралық еңбек ұйымы, пан американдық денсаулық сақтау ұйымы

  84. бес конак қашан басталады
    2022 гипоаллергенная смесь малютка, купить смесь малютка 1 сообщение проблемы села и деревни, переезд из села в город как называется егер оның, кітапханадағы 54 кітап
    жөндеуді қажет етеді

  85. волнистый попугай цена алматы, попугай олх алматы жұлдызды сәт ағылшын тілінде, сыныптан тыс
    іс шаралар ағылшын тілінен 4 сынып әкелер
    сайысы сценарий, әкеге таныстыру мұғалім туралы эссе,
    мұғалім маманы эссе

  86. бағаналы жасуша термині, бағаналы жасуша ерекшелігі амандасу түрлері ассалаумағалейкум, ассалаумағалейкум жауап не заман
    песня текст, не заман кайрат темиров текст концепция абая толық адам,
    абай о человеке

  93. xn88 áp dụng công nghệ bảo mật tiên tiến, trong đó có công nghệ mã hóa SSL 128 bit. Đây là tiêu chuẩn bảo mật hàng đầu, thường được sử dụng bởi các ngân hàng và tổ chức tài chính lớn, giúp mã hóa toàn bộ thông tin cá nhân, giao dịch của người chơi. Nhờ đó, các dữ liệu quan trọng của bạn sẽ được bảo vệ khỏi nguy cơ bị xâm nhập hoặc đánh cắp bởi đối tượng xấu. TONY03-02

  97. This post provides a really helpful overview that covers all the necessary bases, and I think anyone who stumbles upon this page will find a lot of value in the careful observations and logical conclusions you have shared here.

    kinghills casino

  98. Really informative discussion. I think one of the strengths of this article is that it encourages readers to think beyond the obvious aspects of the topic. The explanations are easy to understand, and the examples help put the information into context. There are definitely a few ideas here that deserve further consideration. NDIS Employment Services

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *