TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and State Fire Marshal Jimmy Patronis made the following statement today regarding the unanimous favorable approval of Senate Bill 426, sponsored by Senator Anitere Flores, in the Senate Committee on Governmental Oversight and Accountability giving firefighters access to insurance benefits upon receiving a diagnosis of cancer:

 

“Forty-two states have passed laws that give firefighters the support they desperately need to fight cancer and we must add Florida to that list. Cancer rates in our firefighters are absolutely alarming and doing nothing is not an option. These brave men and women shouldn’t be left to shoulder the financial burden for cancer treatment alone. I’m proud of Senator Flores’ willingness to step up for firefighters and ensure they receive the benefits they deserve.”