VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — Virginia lawmakers are helping first responders who could be exposed to toxic chemicals.
“We just want to make sure that our first responders, who have the tough task of taking care of us, that we have the measures in place to take care of them," said Virginia Beach State Sen. Aaron Rouse.
Sen. Rouse introduced Senate Bill 650. The bill passed through the Virginia General Assembly with "strong bipartisan support," according to Sen. Rouse.
The bill creates a work group to study how potential funds could be used to treat firefighters and other emergency personnel exposed to harmful materials on the job.
Sen. Rouse told 13News Now that he was inspired after attending the funeral of Virginia Beach Fire Captain Matt Chiaverotti, who responded to the Virginia Beach jet crash in 2012.
The jet crash is often referred to as the “Good Friday Miracle” because no one died in the fiery collision. However, several firefighters who responded received cancer diagnoses years later.
Chiaverotti sat down with 13News Now last year before he died following a battle with anaplastic thyroid cancer.
“If I had to rewind and they were going to tell me, ‘Hey, this could expose you to having cancer...'" Chiaverotti said.
“You would still do it?" asked 13News Now anchor Janet Roach.
“One hundred percent. Best job," Chiaverotti replied.
While no one can say for sure that the jet crash is the culprit behind those diagnoses, extremely hazardous toxins filled the air that day.
Sen. Rouse said the funding will have a tremendous impact on the health and safety of first responders.
“It helps them be able to catch... cancers at a very early stage to help them either prevent it or get care sooner rather than later," Sen. Rouse said.
The bill currently sits on Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s desk.
13News Now reached out to the Virginia Beach Fire Department for their thoughts on the legislation. Virginia Beach Fire Chief Ken Pravetz sent a statement, saying, in part, "I wholeheartedly endorsed Virginia Senate Bill 650 and House Bill 133; crucial legislation aimed at providing essential support to our first responders. As Fire Chief, I understand the challenges and sacrifices our brave men and women face daily in the line of duty. These bills represent a significant step forward in addressing the medical needs of those who selflessly serve our communities."