House Bill aims to support firefighters' cancer screenings
WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) – State lawmakers are considering a bill that aims to support firefighters facing health risks due to their work. Wichita Fire Union and city leaders traveled to Topeka to show their support.
The Wichita Fire Union President told KSN that this is a first step to bring awareness to an issue that he says has now become an epidemic among firefighters, and that is cancer.
The 'Fighting Chance For Firefighters Act,' if passed, would provide an annual tax credit of $250 to firefighters who get cancer screenings.
The bill recognizes the prevalence of cancer among this group, saying firefighters are at a higher risk of developing cancer due to prolonged exposure to chemicals and smoke. The proposed tax credit would offset un-reimbursed medical expenses related to cancer screenings.
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Multiple studies have found that firefighters have a higher risk of some forms of cancer.
'Our firefighters protect us every day, and I believe it is our duty to protect them. By allocating dedicated funding for firefighter screenings, we can ensure that these brave individuals who run into buildings that we are trying to run out of have access to the lifesaving tools they need to detect cancer at its earliest and most treatable stages,' said Becky Tuttle, Wichita City Councilmember, District 2.
Councilmember Tuttle added that the number one line of duty death is caused by cancer.
At the House Committee hearing, the only testimony was in support of the bill. No one testified against it.
The hearing has adjourned. You can find more information on the bill here.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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