Firefighters try to convince state government to support laws to access workers compensation
OF three firefighters in Darin Sullivan’s family, he survives after two died from cancer. Now the former union official and hundreds more are fighting for affected colleagues to get workers compensation.
NSW
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THERE were three firefighters in Darin Sullivan’s family — but only he survives today.
Cancer took the life of his brother-in-law and colleague at City of Sydney fire station before also claiming the life of his aviation firefighter father.
The former union official of 28 years — who so far remains cancer-free — has joined hundreds of other firefighters to try to convince the state government to support laws that will make it easier for affected firefighters to access workers compensation.
NSW and Victoria are the only states where firefighters have to prove they acquired cancer on the job.
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Under the presumptive legislation to be introduced by Labor into state parliament this week, the onus of proof will switch to the insurance companies.
The draft legislation, called Workers Compensation (Firefighters’ Presumptive Rights to Compensation) Bill, was written in consultation with paid and volunteer firefighters with 12 cancers to be included.
Among those include primary site brain cancer — with firefighters having to have been on the job for five years before the legislation would apply. The same period applies for those diagnosed with leukaemia.
Other cancers include breast cancer, testicular cancer, bladder cancer, kidney cancer, non-Hodgkins lymphoma, myeloma, prostate cancer, ureter cancer, colorectal cancer and oesophageal cancer.
Among the studies linking the profession to cancer include one conducted by Monash University four years ago, which found male firefighters faced a higher risk of melanoma and prostate cancer than the general population.
There were too few female firefighters to draw a conclusion.
NSW Fire Brigade Employees Union State Secretary Leighton Drury said many firefighters who had battled cancer had chosen not to make a claim.
“In a lot of cases, they don’t bother,” he said.
“We know of a case of a firefighter who was diagnosed with terminal cancer and decided he would rather spend his time with his young family than going to court.”
The union said the state government had so far resisted any moves to introduce presumptive rights.
Mr Sullivan said his brother-in-law had been exposed to smoke, chemicals and firefighting foam in the course of his job, which he had held for 25 years.
At age 45, the non-smoker died of Hodgkin’s lymphoma, leaving behind his daughters and wife.
“In 2007, I sat by his bed with my sister as his life had all but faded,” he said.
“His financial affairs still to be worked out but no workers’ compensation or medical assistance provided for his girls. He died in a shared public hospital ward with little to show for his service to the people of NSW.”
Mr Sullivan’s father, also a non-smoker, died in 2013 from breast, bone and liver cancer shortly before his retirement age.
The aviation firefighter chose not to try to fight for workers’ compensation.
Long-serving firefighter Stephen Nunn was diagnosed with cancer at age 47.
The former Newcastle Station 260 officer said knew something was wrong when he began feeling tired and losing weight.
“I visited my doctor who ordered blood tests which confirmed I had stage four leukaemia which when researched is caused by benzene and formaldehyde, which are found in all plastics and pesticides,” he said.
Mr Nunn said the diagnosis following his attendance at “hundreds” of fires, rescues and hazmat incidents involving chemical spills, tanker fires, ship fires, house fires and car fires.
After eight months of “intense” chemotherapy, Mr Nunn returned to work after going into remission but retired soon after.
Firefighter John Bromwich was diagnosed with non-Hodgkins lymphoma six years ago.
“Over the last 31 years, I have attended thousands of fires, small and large cars, houses, units, factories, rubbish and bush fires, as well as chemical and Hazmat incidents,” he said.
“I have been soaked, swimming in firefighting foam and in the early days, chewed on smoke.
“I have assisted in fire cause determination investigations while choking on fuming gases.”
When making inquiries about having the cancer recognised as “work-related”, he was told he would have to identify the particular chemical responsible.
Mr Drury said Emergency Services Minister Troy Grant told a meeting with the union last year that he was personally supportive of introducing presumptive rights legislation, but that it would unlikely pass through Cabinet.
Opposition emergency services spokesman Guy Zangari said it was hoped the legislation would receive bipartisan support.
“Firefighters are routinely exposed to hazardous substances which may adversely impact their long-term health, he said.
“Studies have made conclusive links between exposure to hazardous substances and the development of certain cancers.
“It’s our duty to ensure we afford them the appropriate protections in return.”