TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — There's another layer of protection coming for Florida firefighters as Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a bill to help limit their exposure to cancer-causing chemicals.
DeSantis signed Senate Bill 1092 on Saturday, which goes into effect July 1.
It creates a program within the Department of Financial Services to provide financial assistance to qualifying fire departments to help obtain equipment, supplies and educational training to lessen their exposure to those harmful elements, according to a news release.
"I applaud Governor DeSantis for signing Senate Bill 1092 which will now ensure Florida’s firefighters are provided with vital equipment, training, and supplies to mitigate exposure to cancer-causing contaminants," Chief Financial Officer and State Fire Marshal Jimmy Patronis said in the release.
DeSantis in May 2019 signed a bill guaranteeing health care benefits to firefighters diagnosed with certain types of cancer. It allowed for certain disability payments to firefighters and death benefits to their families if they die as a result of cancer or cancer treatments.
The law cuts out the need for firefighters to file workman's comp claims in some instances.
Republicans Elizabeth Fetterhoff and Aaron Bean, a state representative and senator, respectively, who sponsored the bill said the program is necessary to ensure firefighters are being taken care of as they help the public.
"Floridians depend on their local firefighters every day to come to their aid at a moment’s notice," Bean said in the release. "This legislation ensures that those firefighters receive the needed equipment and represents that we are there to keep them safe."
- 9,585: Florida sees biggest single-day spike in COVID-19 cases yet
- Florida suspends drinking at all bars statewide as COVID-19 continue to spike
- About 200 Florida doctors sign letter to Jacksonville mayor, calling RNC hosting 'medically disrespectful to citizens'
- Coronavirus concerns close Miami-Dade beaches for 4th of July weekend
- Trump signs executive order to protect statues. monuments and memorials
- COVID-19 cluster in New York could have originated from Florida
- Boat explodes in Hernando County, injuring 4 people
- A look inside the two zip codes with the highest COVID-19 numbers in Pinellas County
►Stay In the Know! Sign up now for the Brightside Blend Newsletter