HR0545LRB103 36570 LAW 66678 r

1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, Fire fighters serve communities across Illinois
3by putting our safety above their own; and
 
4    WHEREAS, Fire fighters often work in a toxic environment
5filled with smoke, soot, and other carcinogens; and
 
6    WHEREAS, According to research, fire fighters have a 9%
7greater chance of being diagnosed with cancer and a 14%
8greater chance of dying from cancer than the general
9population; and
 
10    WHEREAS, Fire fighter occupational cancer is the leading
11cause of line-of-duty deaths in professional fire fighters and
12has reached epidemic levels; and
 
13    WHEREAS, Studies have found a direct correlation between
14the chemical exposures fire fighters experience on the job and
15their increased risk for cancer; and
 
16    WHEREAS, All 50 states in the United States recognize
17cancer as a presumptive workers' compensation claim for fire
18fighters; and
 
19    WHEREAS, Early detection of cancer through routine

 

 

HR0545- 2 -LRB103 36570 LAW 66678 r

1screening leads to earlier treatment and better disease
2outcomes, including improved survival and reduced morbidity;
3and
 
4    WHEREAS, The International Association of Fire Fighters
5(IAFF) and the Firefighter Cancer Support Network (FCSN) have
6declared January as Fire Fighter Cancer Awareness Month;
7therefore, be it
 
8    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE
9HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
10we declare the month of January 2024 as Fire Fighter Cancer
11Awareness Month in the State of Illinois; and be it further
 
12    RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be
13presented to the International Association of Fire Fighters
14(IAFF) and the Firefighter Cancer Support Network (FCSN) with
15our sincere appreciation for their efforts.