Bridging the Gap: Arizona’s Women Firefighters Left Vulnerable Despite Calls for Support

Presumptive disease employment laws are vital in providing health care and compensation for employees exposed to hazardous environments. These laws shift the burden of proof from the employee, allowing quicker access to necessary resources. At the federal level, the Federal Employees’ Compensation Act (FECA) offers benefits to firefighters diagnosed with work-related diseases. In 2025, this Act was expanded to include specific cancers affecting women, clarifying eligibility and improving care access.

State-level legislation, however, often falls short of aligning with these federal standards. Municipalities frequently resist adopting such laws to maintain their ability to contest claims. The financial burden of compensating a single injured firefighter can reach millions, leading policymakers to hesitate in implementing broader protections. This delay not only impacts current firefighters but may deter potential recruits from entering the profession.

In the U.S., women represent just 9% of the firefighting workforce, totaling over 90,000 female firefighters. Of these, approximately 72,400 are volunteers, a category currently excluded from presumptive coverage. Despite an increase in female firefighters over the past decade, a 25% drop in both volunteer and professional firefighters has been observed, against a backdrop of a 40% population increase. This disparity highlights the importance of presumptive coverage in maintaining a sustainable firefighting workforce.

While FECA recognizes several cancers as presumed job-related, Arizona’s Revised Statutes dedicate coverage only to breast and ovarian cancers. This narrow definition primarily benefits full-time career firefighters. Women with uterine or cervical cancers remain unprotected, and the absence of coverage for volunteer firefighters further complicates matters. These volunteer roles comprise about 70% of Arizona’s fire departments, leaving many women without essential safeguards.

Currently, only 30% of Arizona’s 238 fire departments employ career firefighters. The number of women in firefighting has likely increased since 2003, yet data on gender-specific statistics remains limited. With a majority of fire departments relying on volunteers, the lack of adequate protections for female firefighters persists, despite growing evidence linking their profession to increased cancer risks.

Research is underway to analyze cancer risk among female firefighters. Existing studies indicate that these women face higher incidences of reproductive cancers, which also develop earlier than in the general population. One major contributor is the toxic contamination in firefighting gear, which often contains high levels of PFAS, known as “forever chemicals.” Under extreme conditions, this gear releases hazardous substances that can enter the bloodstream, posing significant health risks.

Investigations into PFAS levels reveal alarming concentrations in the blood of both volunteer and career firefighters. Volunteers face heightened risks due to budget constraints, which hinder the regular replacement of protective gear. Findings show that aging equipment tends to leak greater amounts of PFAS, thus increasing exposure levels.

To address these pressing concerns, Arizona must reform its presumptive coverage laws to encompass all reproductive cancers and extend protections to volunteer firefighters. By aligning state regulations with federal standards, Arizona can better recognize the unique challenges faced by women in firefighting, ensuring equitable access to health care and compensation for all firefighters. This reform is critical for the well-being of these heroes and the sustainability of Arizona’s firefighting community.

Jordan Cade is an attorney at Environmental Litigation Group, P.C., offering legal support to those affected by environmental and occupational toxic exposure.