Providence, R.I. Firefighters with Cancer to Get Disability Pensions

Providence, Rhode Island firefighters diagnosed with cancer will receive accidental disability pensions under a measure passed by the City Council.

Firefighters with cancer will be presumed to have developed the disease on the job, but in order to receive the pensions, they’ll be required to show that they don’t smoke, use drugs or abuse alcohol.

Fire Chief George Farrell and six other firefighters have cancer.

All 13 council members who attended last Thursday night’s meeting supported the measure.

Retirees on accidental disability pensions receive annual sums equal to two-thirds of the average of their three highest years’ salaries.

To be eligible, firefighters would have to show that they developed cancer while working for the city or within three years of retirement.

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Information from: The Providence Journal, http://www.projo.com/