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  • February 8, 2025
SC legislation aims to expand the number of firefighters

SC legislation aims to expand the number of firefighters

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WCSC) – A pre-filed bill in the South Carolina State House aims to expand workers’ compensation for firefighters to cover stroke, heart disease and respiratory diseases.

District 99 Rep. Mark Smith of Berkeley County has pre-filed the bill, calling it “common sense” legislation.

“This particular bill, as it relates to firefighters, health and safety, it kind of seems like a no-brainer situation that we continue to take care of our firefighters,” he said.

The Independence County Sheriff's Department has sent law enforcement officers to train for new...

The bill’s wording adds stroke to the eligible list for workers and expands the presumptive list to include stroke, heart disease, and cardiovascular disease.

John Baker of the Professional Association of Firefighters for South Carolina knows firsthand the risks of his job as a firefighter in Charleston.

“We had a member who suffered a heart attack while training, something we have mandated in our standard operating procedures to ensure we are physical and able to do our work and to keep us in shape. says Baker. “So he had to exhaust all his sick time and all his vacation time and he ended up losing that time and having to leave without pay before he was cleared.”

South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson speaks during an interview at his office in...

That’s just one example from South Carolina, supported by data from multiple studies published by the National Library of Medicine.

A 13-year study found that firefighters have a high heart rate compared to other government jobs, and this can lead to risks of heart attack and stroke.

“What we’ve noticed over the years is firefighting, it’s obviously an inherently dangerous job, but we’re seeing so many more problems because of the data we have that is causing firefighters to develop cardiovascular disease, stroke and respiratory problems. disease,” says Baker.

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The legislative session begins in January 2025 in the State House.

This bill will be submitted in advance to the House of Representatives.