Governor to sign Kentucky firefighter cancer bill

FRANKFORT, Ky. (WTVQ) — A representative from the Governor’s Communications Office has said Governor Matt Bevin will sign the firefighter cancer bill into law.

On Monday the House passed Senate Bill 195, a proposal that will give families of firefighters who die from certain types of cancer, $80,000 as an in-the-line-of-duty death benefit.

The bill has an emergency clause that would let it take effect immediately, which could benefit the families of those firefighters currently battling cancer.

One of those is Matt Logston of Lexington, who was diagnosed with cancer earlier this year, shortly after fighting the Blue Grass Stockyards fire.  He is currently being treated in Chicago for stage four cancer.

The family of retired Owensboro Battalion Chief David McCrady could also benefit.  He says in December of 2013, he had to stop doing the job he loves.  He was diagnosed with glioblastoma multiforme, a fast-growing brain tumor.  Over the past few years McCrady has had surgery, chemotherapy, radiation and has been a part of a clinical trial.  Still, he found time to help lobby for certain types of cancer to be considered line of duty deaths.

“I’ve always pushed to make sure people were safe, so when I went home at the end of the day I knew I’d done everything for them,” McCrady explained.  “I found out I had cancer just before the first round of legislation and I knew I wouldn’t just be helping myself. I’d be helping the guys coming on after me.”

Firefighters have spoken to both the House and Senate about scientific studies linking fighting fires to an increased risk of developing cancer.

Bevin’s spokesperson was not sure when the governor would sign the bill into law.