New Indiana Law Recognizes Parkinson`s Disease as Line-of-Duty Disability
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. -- Firefighters, EMS personnel and law enforcement officers in Indiana who contract Parkinson's will now be eligible for enhanced benefits.
On Friday, Gov. Mitch Daniels signed the law that recognizes Parkinson's as a line-of-duty disability.
The measure officially goes into effect July 1, said Gary Coons, a former Indiana firefighter stricken with the disease at 33.
"We've been working really hard to get this recognized. I'm very excited that we succeeded," Coons said Tuesday.
Since his diagnosis, Coons has devoted much of his time to reading research to learn as much as he can about the disease. He knew that would be vital when he approached legislators about sponsoring a bill.
Senator Jim Merritt and Delegate Mary Ann Sullivan initiated the legislation. Before long, however, many of their colleagues signed on as co-sponsors, Coons said.
"It had bi-partisan support," he said, adding that the issue passed the Senate by a 49-0 vote, and 97-2 in the House.
Prior to that, both committees passed the effort unanimously.
Coons said just prior to the House committee hearing, Sullivan watched firefighters in action battling a major fire that destroyed a luxury apartment complex.
She relayed her story to fellow representatives as the stench of the fire permeated the statehouse, located just blocks away.
Coons said both Sullivan and Merritt also told their colleagues what he says he learned through his research: that toxic exposure to burning chemicals can bring about early onset of the disease that usually strikes people in their 50s.
In 2005, he was the lead investigator of a large paint warehouse fire. The contents of the fire building included several paint trucks, painting materials, and paint chemicals, like toluene and carbon monoxide. He was exposed to many toxins during the three-day investigation, according to information posted on a website Coons founded -- FirefightersWithParkinsons.com.
Coons said it's important that firefighters wear SCBA while conducting overhaul. "You just don't know what you're being exposed to..."
Since word of his success at the legislative level has spread, he has been contacted by fire officials from other states who are anxious to get the measures started there.
Coons said it was heart-warming for him and other Indiana responders to receive the support.
He's also working with Viet Nam veterans for similar recognition.
