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Local fire chiefs urge commissioners to support House Bill 65 for firefighter cancer screening
Summary
Area fire officials asked commissioners to watch and support House Bill 65, a proposal to fund periodic cancer screening for career firefighters under a statewide program.
Local fire and emergency-services leaders asked Garfield County commissioners to monitor and support House Bill 65, legislation intended to expand firefighter cancer‑screening availability in Utah.
Ken (former fire chief and UFRA affiliate) and fellow local chiefs described a national screening program that provides same-day MRIs, ultrasounds and blood work and said screening has identified cancers early in other jurisdictions. They said screening in one example cost about $3,500 per firefighter if pursued privately and that House Bill 65 would create a state program to make screening available on a schedule (staff described every three years for older firefighters and every five years for younger ones, with minimum service requirements).
Speakers asked the county to follow the bill in the legislature and to vote in favor of funding if the commission takes a position. Commissioners expressed general support for the concept and staff said they would bring additional information and coordinate with state contacts while the legislature is in session. No county appropriation or formal county resolution was made at the meeting; the presentation was an awareness request and a plea for legislative backing.
