The International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) has spotlighted how after years of fighting for stronger presumptive coverage, New Mexico firefighters have secured a legislative win that expands occupational cancer protections.
The victory followed coordinated advocacy by the New Mexico Professional Fire Fighters and the IAFF, culminating in the passage of House Bill 128.
Signed into law by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, the measure strengthens the state’s cancer presumption statute and enhances workers’ compensation protections for firefighters diagnosed with occupational cancers.
10th District Vice President Stephen Gilman explained: “This is what labor collaboration looks like at its best.
“When the New Mexico Professional Fire Fighters, IAFF Chief Medical Officer Dr. Dan Whu and the IAFF work together, we don’t just make noise — we make change.”
Miguel Tittmann, President of the New Mexico Professional Fire Fighters and Albuquerque, NM Local 244, called the legislation a major step forward for members across the state.
Tittmann explained: “We were able to expand our presumptive cancer coverage, adding lung, prostate, ovarian, and cervical cancers and removing the age cap for testicular and breast cancers.
“They no longer have to fight insurance companies with these diagnoses, which happen often in the fire service.
“It’s crucial firefighters feel confident they’re covered by workers’ comp, so they don’t worry about insurance battles.
“This matters not only to the diagnosed firefighters but also to their colleagues and families.”
The effort builds on more than a decade of advocacy.
New Mexico first adopted a cancer presumption law in 2009, marking a significant labor victory at the time.
In 2019, advocates successfully expanded the statute to include PTSD.
Despite those gains, many firefighters diagnosed with cancer still faced age caps, long service requirements and inconsistent standards that made it difficult to qualify for benefits.
Former New Mexico Fire Fighters and Albuquerque, MN Local 244 President Diego Arencón, now Lujan Grisham’s Deputy Chief of Staff, was an early advocate for cancer presumption protections.
Around 2009, he worked alongside Lujan Grisham to advance legislation recognizing firefighter cancers as occupational illnesses.
In the years that followed, they continued working to strengthen those protections for New Mexico firefighters.
Building on that early work, union leaders later pushed to strengthen the law by aligning state protections with the federal Honoring Our Fallen Heroes Act, which improved the Public Safety Officers’ Benefit (PSOB) program by recognizing 20 cancers as occupational for death benefits.
Tittmann explained: “IAFF resources were critical in this effort.
“The IAFF was very generous with resources and made the case that our coverage should be more comprehensive to match the federal death benefit, arguing that if you’re going to cover it in death, you should also cover it while they’re alive.”
Gilman helped make the connection with the IAFF’s Health and Safety Division and Whu.
During legislative hearings, Whu contributed his medical, scientific and epidemiological expertise, sharing evidence-based research to help lawmakers better understand the occupational hazards and toxic exposures fire fighters face.
Whu shared: “Because of my background as a medical doctor, epidemiologist, and fire fighter, I am often called upon to testify on the findings of fire service research, the evidence of which is conclusive; occupational cancer is an epidemic in fire fighters.
“Under the leadership and direction of General President Edward Kelly, the IAFF was able to heavily advocate for and promote the science demonstrating the carcinogenicity of firefighting in order to get the Honor Our Fallen Heroes Act passed.
“I am glad that New Mexico legislators, too, recognized the overwhelming evidence supporting this grim fact and that because of it, New Mexico firefighters will now have greater protections against occupational cancer, the number one cause of line-of-duty deaths in the fire service.”
Gilman called the legislation a hard-fought victory for firefighters across New Mexico.
Gilman concluded: “President Tittmann and the New Mexico Professional Fire Fighters didn’t just win a legislative battle – they won dignity for our members.
“This is exactly why we organize.”
