Christie’s Workers Comp Veto Is Slap in the Face to First Responders Trenton – Professional Firefighters Association of New Jersey (PFANJ) President Dominick Marino yesterday issued the following statement after Governor Chris Christie vetoed the “Thomas P. Canzanella 21st Century First Responders Protection Act.” “Governor Christie’s veto of a bill that would have improved workers compensation coverage for public safety workers is nothing short of a slap in the face to the thousands of fire fighters, EMS providers, police officers and nurses who put their lives on the line every day to keep the rest of us safe. “The legislation was named after Thomas P. Canzanella, a former Hackensack deputy fire chief who died of cardiac arrest in 2007. Canzanella, a union leader, spent weeks at Ground Zero after the September 11, 2011, terrorist attacks. He was a strong advocate for medical coverage for first responders who worked Ground Zero. “The legislation would have ensured that public safety workers like Canzanella receive workers compensation coverage without long costly legal battles, easing the burden on employees to prove a link between their illness or injury and their jobs. “Research has conclusively demonstrated that fire fighters have an increased incidence of leukemia, multiple myeloma, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, bladder cancer and brain cancer compared to other workers. Additional research indicates that fire fighters are at increased risk for prostate, large intestine and skin cancers. “Today Governor Christie turned his back on the public safety workers we count on in emergencies. Professional and volunteer fire fighters, EMS providers, police officers and nurses will always be there for the citizens of New Jersey. Unfortunately, we have a governor who is unwilling to stand up for public safety workers. “The PFANJ cannot and will not let stand this veto of this critical bill protecting first responders, and I call on New Jersey legislators to stand with us and vote to override Christie’s veto.” Dominick Marino, President
Posted on: Fri, 19 Jul 2013 20:15:11 +0000
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