This morning Radio NZ reported on the NZPFU’s campaign for presumptive legislation to recognise firefighters’ occupational cancer. The report can be viewed above or heard via the link below:

Rimutaka Station Officer Erroll Tapiki and deceased Hasting firefighter Brett How’s widow Cherie Flintoff detailed their struggles getting recognition. Errol was never told he could claim ACC to meet his medical costs when he was treated for prostate cancer in 2014. Cherie battled ACC and is believed to have succeeded with the first acceptance of a firefighter’s lung cancer. Sadly that recognition came two years after Brett’s death. 

Winnipeg Firefighters Union President Alex Forrest spoke of his 20 years campaigning for firefighters’ occupational cancer to be recognised.

Alex will be meeting with MPs today and firefighters.

In unity,
Wattie Watson
National Secretary