TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – In response to the recent announcement that Speaker Jose Oliva will address the issue of cancer benefits for Florida’s firefighters this session, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and State Fire Marshal Jimmy Patronis made the following statement:

 

“Cancer rates among firefighters are not up for debate. Seventy percent of firefighter line-of-duty deaths are cancer related. It is past time that Florida joined the 45 other states that have some sort of cancer benefit so that our heroes who are battling this horrible disease can have peace of mind knowing they will not have to shoulder the financial burden alone.

 

“Thank you, Speaker Oliva, for your leadership as we work together to ensure this measure moves through the legislative process this year so that our heroes know that Florida has their back. I look forward to continuing to collaborate on this issue until a bill is presented to Governor Ron DeSantis for his signature.”