Firefighters who are diagnosed with ten cancers will be able to access support more quickly through the workers compensation system under reforms to be introduced by the Minns Labor Government.
The NSW Government will expand the number of cancers where firefighters are presumed to qualify for workers compensation, in recognition of the occupational hazards they are exposed to as first responders.
This removes the worker's usual burden to prove causation, which can be difficult due to the nature of how these cancers are contracted and firefighting work.
The additional cancers include primary site lung, pancreatic, thyroid and skin cancers, as well as female and male reproductive cancers including cervical, ovarian, uterine, vaginal, vulval and penile.
This will bring NSW into line with other states, while making NSW the first state to recognise two female reproductive cancers (vulval and vaginal) as presumptive cancers for firefighters. This is part of the Government's ongoing efforts to provide equity for male and female first responders.
Under the Workers Compensation Act 1987, qualifying firefighters are already presumed to be eligible where they are diagnosed with other primary cancers including leukemia, brain, bladder and kidney cancer, as well as breast, testicular and prostate cancer. The list of existing presumptive cancers also covers non-Hodgkin lymphoma, multiple myeloma, esophageal, colorectal and ureter cancer.
All firefighters must serve qualifying periods to be entitled to the presumption. Under the changes, an expert panel will be established to review volunteers' claims for the additional cancers against a requirement for the firefighter to have regularly engaged in frontline firefighting activity.
The changes will enhance access for volunteer and paid firefighters with the NSW Rural Fire Service as well as firefighters employed by Fire and Rescue NSW, the National Parks and Wildlife Service, NSW Forestry Corporation and other NSW agencies.
Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib said:
"This is a significant milestone to ensure that people who put themselves in harm's way for the safety of the community are supported in their time of need. Firefighters work in difficult conditions protecting the community and this reform provides recognition by delivering on our commitment to support frontline workers.
"We know a cancer diagnosis can be devastating for a firefighter and their family, as well as their colleagues and employer. These changes mean these firefighters will be able to easily and quickly access compensation entitlements through the presumptive cancer provisions.
"In developing this reform, we met with firefighters, the union and volunteer firefighter associations and considered work in other jurisdictions to determine how we could best support first responders.
"We are providing a better safety net for frontline firefighters in this state while at the same time reforming workers compensation to make it more sustainable so it can continue to support injured workers, including our emergency service workers.
"I urge the Parliament to support these measures as a priority to ensure these benefits can be provided as quickly as possible."
Minister for Industrial Relations Sophie Cotsis said:
"The Minns Labor Government has been working tirelessly towards this historic announcement to ensure those who serve and protect the community have access to compensation entitlements through the presumptive cancer provisions.
"We have been working closely with the Fire Brigade Employees' Union (FBEU) and the Rural Fire Service Association (RFSA) and thank their members and families for their ongoing strong advocacy.
"At present, eligible firefighters in New South Wales are entitled to a presumption to workers compensation if they have a diagnosis of any of the 12 primary site cancers listed in the workers compensation legislation. This legislation will also impact National Parks and Wildlife Service and NSW Forestry Corporation workers who are AWU members.
"By including additional cancers, we are acknowledging the occupational exposure to risks that firefighters regularly face and the long latency periods for certain cancers."
Secretary of the FBEU, Leighton Drury said:
"Professional firefighters have worked hard for this result and we are pleased to see our employer, and the NSW Government, recognise the additional risks of our profession.
"FBEU members keep our communities safe every day and it's important that our safety at work is recognised in this legislation."
Scott Campbell AFSM, President of the RFSA said:
"Volunteer firefighters work at the frontline to keep the community safe from a range of incidents, from bushfires to vehicle and structure fires.
"We know that bushfire smoke is a threat to the health of volunteer firefighters. This reform means volunteers who unfortunately suffer cancer as a result of their service will be properly covered."
