Work boots representing three former Lake County firefighters lined the steps of the Florida Historic Capitol building on Thursday to help create awareness among state leaders about first responders dying of cancer.
The 200-plus pairs of black boots with yellow trim, represented firefighters across the state who have lost their fight with the disease.
Three of the boots included attached pictures of April Hoover, Craig Haun and Jack Fillman, all whom were employed at one time by Lake County Fire-Rescue, according to the Professional Firefighters of Lake County.
Brian Gamble, vice president of the Professional Firefighters of Lake County, said the boots were placed on the steps to help convince state legislators to pass a proposed cancer presumption law, that would assume firefighters and paramedics who contract any type of cancer was due to the job.
Under the proposal law, once any cancer is diagnosed, the firefighter could receive worker’s comp plus permanent disability to some degree.
“With all the carcinogenics in smoke and other hazard materials we encounter, the current odds are that 1 in 3 firefighters will get cancer,” Gamble said.