RICHMOND, VA — Governor Abigail Spanberger highlighted a new grant program — funded through an amendment the Governor proposed to the Commonwealth’s biennial budget — which invests $2 million each year to support localities and departments in providing cancer screenings for career firefighters. The budget amendment allows for $350 per eligible screening for career firefighters.
Cancer is the leading cause of death in the fire service. While serving in Congress, Governor Spanberger led bipartisan legislation to provide Veteran military firefighters with their earned healthcare benefits and disability compensation by creating the presumption that Veteran military firefighters who become disabled by serious diseases — including certain cancers — contracted their illness from their military service. Firefighters face an increased risk of cancer due to exposure to carcinogenic fumes, chemicals, and other contaminants.
