Presumptive Legislation for Firefighter Cancers
From Retired Chief Superintendent Mick Ryan

As many will know Presumptive Legislation for Firefighter Cancer is soon to promulgated in the state of NSW. The legislation will cover current firefighters from the date of promulgation of the ACT. The current critical aspect that impacts on retired firefighters is the manner in which retrospective Workers Compensation claims can be made.

The State Government has determined the only way a retired firefighter with one of the listed cancers can make a Workers Compensation claim, is the claim for Workers Compensation must have been made previously. Of course we know that previous claims were denied and so it seemed futile but some had a go anyway. Regardless, those who previously made claim are now invited to resubmit your claim for consideration.

I am about to test this out and provide the following information in the hope it will help others. When I was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2016 I advised my doctor I believed the disease was contracted as a process of my work as a firefighter. My doctor provided me with a WorkCover certificate and I submitted it to EML. Of course nothing happened and I assumed the matter was a waste of time.

However, I have asked my doctor for a copy of the WorkCover certificate and I intend to make a claim for Workers Compensation for prostate cancer. If you know of any retired firefighters who have or had cancer please pass this information on in the hope it may help to make a claim.

Regards,
Mick Ryan