Gov. Corbett to visit Langhorne on Thursday
Ceremonial signing of bill to help firefighters is open to public.
Gov. Tom Corbett is scheduled to visit the Langhorne-Middletown Fire Company on Thursday for the ceremonial signing of a bill that designates cancer as an occupational disease for firefighters.
The bill, which was signed into law last summer, was introduced by Bucks Rep. Frank Farry, who is chief of the fire company.
"Pennsylvania's volunteer and career firefighters sacrifice a great deal to protect our lives and property," Farry said in a statement. "Firefighters who develop cancer as a result of their service deserve support and proper protection. This new law guarantees they will receive it."
Under Act 46 of 2011, firefighters can receive workers' compensation when they develop cancer and can establish direct exposure to certain carcinogens at fire or hazmat incidents. To be eligible for workers' compensation, the firefighter would have to have participated in continuous firefighting duty for four or more years and have successfully passed a cancer-free physical exam prior to asserting the claim or engaging in firefighting duties.
The governor's visit was scheduled for August, but it was postponed because of Hurricane Irene.
The 2 p.m. ceremony at the fire company's North Station on Langhorne-Yardley Road is open to the public. Parking will be available at the Core Creek Park entrance on Woodbourne Road, across from Maple Point Middle School.
For more information, call Farry's Langhorne office at 215-752-6750 or go to his website, RepFarry.com.