firefighters

In the summer of 2010 the City of Philadelphia began a "rolling brownout" measure, in which local fire stations close for determined periods of time. The City put the measure in place to save approximately $3.8 million and prevent permanent closing of fire stations and layoffs of firemen and women. (In 2009, the City shut down seven fire stations.)

Since the brownouts started, there have been several fires in which the closest and most direct fire station was browned out, resulting in unnecessary loss of life.

Firefighters in Pennsylvania have been waiting for justice when it comes to the serious health risks they take everyday in order to save lives. The Cancer Presumption Act would've given them just that. This was a bill to help lift the burden on firefighters and their families to pay medical costs for certain cancers associated with their work. Recently, Governor Rendell vetoed this piece of legislation, sadly disrespecting the plight of the firefighters in Pennsylvania. We spoke with firefighters and widows of firefighters at last year's annual Thanksgiving luncheon.

Pennsylvania firefighters who are living with cancer caused by hazardous working conditions are one step closer to receiving workers' compensation to help with medical costs. The Cancer Presumption Bill, 25 years in the making, is now awaiting Governor Rendell's signature and will pass if he signs.

On Tuesday, more than two hundred city workers in Camden rallied before city council demanding a vote of no confidence in the cities Chief Operating Officer Theodore Davis. The march, which shutdown traffic on the Ben Franklin Bridge, brought together police, firefighters and city workers and displayed a unified front against the municipal and state government, which we have not yet seen in Philadelphia.