Glendale councilwoman Lauren Tolmachoff

(City of Glendale)

Glendale Councilman Bart Turner

(City of Glendale)

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At Tuesday’s City Council Workshop, a council item of special interest requested by Mayor Jerry Weiers provided an update of existing state law to ensure that reoccurring cancers that result in disability or death are presumed to be an occupational disease for firefighters as outlined in the Arizona Revised Statutes.

On May 9, Weiers requested the Council Item of Special Interest to explore state legislation that ensures reoccurring cancers cannot be the sole reason for denying cancer claims and to ensure that reoccurring cancers that result in disability or death are presumed to be an occupational disease as outlined in the Arizona Revised Statutes.

A Council Item of Special Interest is a procedural matter which allows the mayor or council members to request information to be presented in a public meeting on a particular subject matter in an effort to advance a timely topic.

City staff gather the best available data and legal understandings of that subject upon which the mayor and Council can begin an informed discussion.

The goals of this council item and the intention of Mayor Weiers’ include was to ensure that reoccurring cancers cannot be the sole reason for denying cancer claims and to ensure that reoccurring cancers that result in disability or death are presumed to be an occupational disease as outlined in the Arizona Revised Statutes.

“I had hoped the Council Item of Special Interest would reignite a much-needed sober conversation about the welfare of our first responders. Too often, the issues surrounding public servants, including first responders, are coated in a thin emotional veneer, leading to political posturing. I had hoped today’s discussion, following the well-researched information brought before the council would be beneficial to our employees and residents. Unfortunately, the conversation was hijacked by those seeking political gain. Rest assured, I have confidence that I and the majority of the council will see that our firefighters get the protections they so rightfully deserve,” Weiers stated in a press release provided by Lori Hunnicutt, communications project manager for the mayor's office.

That statement is in reference to councilwoman Lauren Tolmachoff and councilmen Bart Turner and Jamie Aldama, who spoke during the work session about prior council discussions on the matter and when it was first presented in a similar form by Tolmachoff.

Tolmachoff said this proposal needs to include more protections.

"I'm curious as to why this didn't sound like a good idea when I brought it up. I have the minutes from the meeting right here where I brought up reoccurrance," Tolmachoff said. "I also think the reoccurance issue is lacking, because I also brought up that there are pre-cancerous conditions that could be a problem for somebody that possible had polyps. There are a variety of precancerous conditions that could cause somebody to be excluded from a cancer claim because it could be considered a pre-cancer condition. I think this doesn't go far enough."

Ryan Lee, Glendale's director of intergovernmental programs, said within the ability to write law, this issue can be addressed.

"It's at the point of the physical, to your point councilwoman Tolmachoff, of wanting to catch it early at that physical," Lee said. "Moving forward, I will provide an update at the legislative agenda presentation in November. Right now we need to find a bill sponsor to carry this."