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FIRE STATION HOOD GRANTS -
Firefighter Cancer Epidemic -
Firefighter Cancer Bill SB426
Standard firefighter hoods are commonly referred to as “cancer sponges” because they are made of a material similar to terry cloth, which when wet can absorb toxins through direct contact with a firefighter’s head and neck. This allows dangerous carcinogens to easily enter the bloodstream through the thinnest skin on a firefighter’s body and puts them at greater risk of unnecessary exposures that can lead to developing cancer. Particulate hoods, however, are made of barrier materials, including both new particle filter layers as well as conventional moisture barriers, which shield firefighters from toxic particles.
Hoods For Heroes is committed to providing all Firefighters with the protective hoods that can help reduce head and neck exposure to carcinogens by 99%!
Firefighters risk their lives daily to protect life and property. Now, you can return the favor.
Help Be The Hero For Heroes!
Helping to reduce occupational cancer by donating chemical blocking hoods to every firefighter in America!
Fire Station Hood Grants
Why barrier hoods?
Rare and aggressive forms of cancer in fire service starts with constant exposure to carcinogens that are absorbed through the skin. The thinnest skin on your body is in the neck and face area. Chemical blocking hoods can reduce exposure above the neck by 99%! The majority of hoods currently worn by fire service professionals do not protect this area. As you may know, your skin is the largest organ of the human body and is highly absorptive, especially in the face, neck, and throat areas. Unknown to most, for every 5-degree increase in skin temperature the skin absorption increases by up to 400 percent. Without particulate barrier hoods, firefighters are not only exposed to dangerous toxins and chemicals daily but are exposed to them at a higher absorption rate through the skin. H4H identifies firefighters throughout the country in need of particulate barrier hoods and provides them through a grant application process.
Currently, we are not accepting new grant applications.
The Unknown Epidemic of Firefighter Cancer
Surprisingly, fewer than 5% of Americans are aware of the cancer epidemic in fire service. We can help to reduce the exposure by raising community awareness and support to provide the protective equipment needed to reduce exposures. Our brave men and women on the front line of fire service deserve the safest equipment possible to help protect the life and property in our communities. H4H also promotes continued health and wellness of fire stations through education concerning best practices and decontamination management.
How you can help
Help spread the word! We are looking for volunteers to help promote the message. Please use the social media links to follow and share how Hoods For Heroes is making a huge difference in the battle against Firefighter cancer! Bring awareness to your community and support your local heroes!
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Florida Firefighter Cancer Benefit Bill: How does it work?
1. What does (SB 426) the Florida Firefighter Cancer Benefits Law mean?
Beginning July 1st, 2019, across the state of Florida, departments, municipalities or stations who employ full-time, career firefighters will be required to provide certain benefits to those firefighters should they receive a cancer diagnosis, absent certain exceptions (see eligibility information below). It further requires that other benefits be considered for a line of duty injury or death. The law itself is complex and has specific requirements for other benefits like disability, medical insurance deductible and copays including the firefighter death benefit mandated in Florida statute 112.191.
2. Who is eligible to be covered by this Law?
SB 426 was passed in Florida, and generally pertains to any full-time, career firefighters who meet the following criteria:
- Currently an active member
- Has served as a full-time firefighter within a fire department or public safety department for at least 5 years
- Has “the primary responsibility of preventing and distinguishing fires, protecting life and property, and enforcing municipal, county, and state fire prevention codes and laws pertaining to the prevention and control of fires” (§ 112.1816(1)(c).
- Has not used tobacco products for at least the previous last 5 years
- Has not been employed in any other position in the past 5 years which is proven to create a higher risk for any cancer (this point is further clarified in the statute and below)
3. What types of cancer does this Law include?
There are 21 cancers that the Florida Firefighter Cancer Benefit Law names. These are:
- Bladder cancer
- Brain cancer
- Breast cancer
- Cervical cancer
- Colon cancer
- Esophageal cancer
- Invasive skin cancer
- Kidney cancer
- Large intestinal cancer
- Lung cancer
- Malignant melanoma
- Mesothelioma
- Multiple myeloma
- Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
- Oral cavity and pharynx cancer
- Ovarian cancer
- Prostate cancer
- Rectal cancer
- Stomach cancer
- Testicular cancer
- Thyroid cancer
4. Who is responsible for providing benefits?
The Law states that the “employer” of the firefighter is responsible for obtaining and providing the required benefits. The term “employer” is defined in Section 112.191 of the Florida Statute as state board, commission, department, division, bureau or agency, or a county, municipality or other political subdivision of the state.
5. Does my current insurance for the Florida Statute 112.191 cover cancer-related injuries or deaths?
While we cannot definitively answer this question, it is our understanding that most insurance plans providing firefighter death benefits pursuant to FL Statute 112.191 specifically exclude death as the result of an illness or complications from an illness. To be sure you are not held liable to provide these death benefits if one of your crew members dies of cancer, it is best to check with your current insurance carrier.
6. My department already has a life plan that exceeds the required death benefit, will that meet the requirements of the Law?
The law is unclear on whether prior coverage will satisfy the requirement. We recommend that you contact your legal counsel of choice to ask this question if you are in this situation and are unsure.
9. I have legal questions regarding this Law. Where can I find answers?
The law is unclear on whether prior coverage will satisfy the requirement. We recommend that you contact your legal counsel of choice to ask this question if you are in this situation and are unsure.
10. Am I required to purchase insurance coverage?
No. Municipalities and departments can choose to self-insure these benefits, but that means they also have to be willing to accept the risk and liability.
11. I’m a career firefighter but I do not live in Florida. Will my department get these benefits?
While we cannot predict what will happen next, we can note that across the nation, more and more states are beginning to adopt bills and create laws similar to SB 426. At this time, 4 states offer these protections, including New York and Georgia. They all have different requirements for being eligible for cancer benefits. It is very likely that other states will continue to follow suit. Alabama is currently in movement to pass their own version of this law as well. They are hoping that it will be passed by 1/1/20.