After a two-decade-long push, professional firefighters in Montana will be protected under the firefighter’s Health and Safety Bill.
According to the Montana State Council of Professional Fire Fighters, Gov. Steve Bullock will sign Senate Bill 160 into law Thursday.
To honor firefighters who have lost their lives to on-the-job illnesses, Bullock has ordered all flags to be flown at half-staff on Thursday.
A press release states that firefighters across Montana put their lives in danger and face increased healthcare risks each and every day.
Read Bullock’s full statement below:
I hereby order all flags flown in the state of Montana to be displayed at half-staff on April 18th, 2019 in honor of all Montana firefighters who have lost their lives from a job-related illness in the line of duty.
Firefighters across Montana put their lives in danger and face increased healthcare risks each and every day. With the passage of the Firefighter Protection Act, we are finally showing firefighters the respect and appreciation they and their families deserve. For every firefighter of today and for those who will one day be called to service, this law will protect their healthcare and the well-being of their families when a job-related illness occurs.
Story by Margaret DeMarco, MTN News
