California Professional Firefighters

CPF Praises Governor's Executive Order on COVID-19 Workers Comp Presumption

Governor Gavin Newsom’s executive order, providing a workers’ compensation presumption for COVID-19, sets the table for important protections for firefighters and front line workers who are bravely responding to the pandemic.

Since the virus’ outbreak, California firefighters have responded to COVID-19 medical emergencies across the state, putting their own health at risk and potentially exposing their families. Many firefighters have already become ill from on-the-job exposure to COVID-19 and the uncertainty of what happens next, weighs heavily.

“We applaud Governor Newsom’s decision to act now in support of firefighters and other frontline workers,” said Brian K. Rice, President of California Professional Firefighters. “The executive order provides critical basic protections for these brave men and women should they become ill with COVID-19, due to their service to the public.”

The executive order, announced at his Wednesday afternoon COVID-19 news briefing,  covers firefighters, law enforcement officers, nurses and all essential workers who were asked to continue serving their communities during the stay at home order, at risk of contracting COVID-19 while on-the-job.

“As firefighters, we are accustomed to working in emergency situations with law enforcement and health care workers,” explained President Rice. “We now find ourselves proudly serving with our local grocery workers, custodians, warehouse workers and many more. Each of these men and women are keeping the lights on and food on the shelves, Governor Newsom rightly included them in his executive order.”

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California Professional Firefighters represents 30,000 local, state and federal firefighters and paramedics in nearly 180 local affiliates. CPF is the state council of the International Association of Fire Fighters.