Last week, Governor Roy Cooper signed Senate Bill 319, making the Fire Fighters’ Health Benefits pilot program – a benefit for fire fighters diagnosed with occupational cancers – permanent. The new program comes amid increasing evidence that fire fighters are at significantly higher risk of developing certain cancers than the general public. “This is an important win for our members in North Carolina,” said General President Edward Kelly. “Occupational cancer is the leading cause of death in the fire service, and while we work to end this deadly disease’s grip on our profession, we must do everything we can to care for members diagnosed with cancer – including getting them the benefits they deserve.”

Under the Fire Fighters’ Cancer Insurance Program, qualifying North Carolina fire fighters will receive an initial benefit of up to $37,000 – an increase from $25,000 under the state’s pilot program. A lump sum of up to $74,000 is also available for fire fighters diagnosed with multiple cancers.

An additional monthly disability benefit equaling 75 percent of the fire fighter’s monthly salary or up to $5,000 – whichever is less – is also included.

The program covers all forms of cancer.

The IAFF and the Professional Fire Fighters and Paramedics of North Carolina (PFFPNC) played a crucial role in drafting the legislation, collaborating with lawmakers on both sides of the aisle to move the bill through the General Assembly and to the governor’s desk.

“Thanks to the unwavering commitment of PFFPNC President Scott Mullins and his executive board, North Carolina now has one of the strongest presumptive health laws in the nation,” said 12^th District Vice President Walter Dix.  “I could not be prouder of the incredible work they did on behalf of their members to get this bill to the governor’s desk and across the finish line.”

The signing of S.B. 319 is the culmination of a more than decade-long effort from the PFFPNC to establish presumptive cancer benefits for fire fighters in North Carolina.

“After years of hard work and determination by our members and state legislators, we have a fire fighter presumptive cancer bill that we’re extremely proud of,” said Mullins. “The Fire Fighters’ Cancer Insurance Program’s impact on the lives of fire fighters battling occupational cancer will be immeasurable.”

S.B. 319 passed both the North Carolina Senate and House of Representatives unanimously.

The Fire Fighters’ Cancer Insurance Program is set to go into effect on July 1, 2025. Any qualifying fire fighter who retired within 10 years of that date will also be eligible to apply.

Cancer is one of the biggest threats facing fire fighters in North America. Nearly three-quarters of all line-of-duty deaths are due to occupational cancer, according to IAFF data.

Additionally, data from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) shows fire fighters are more likely to be diagnosed with cancer than the public, and 14% more likely to die from occupational cancers than non-fire fighters.

The IAFF and its affiliates have spent years engaging with lawmakers at the federal, state and provincial, and local levels about the need for legislation to combat the increasing rates of cancer in the fire service. This includes the IAFF endorsement of the Honoring Our Fallen Heroes Act (H.R. 1719/S. 930), which would establish occupational cancer deaths as LODDs across all 50 states.