The Austin Firefighters Union is calling on the city to reconsider its decision to deny Lieutenant Suzanne LaFollette’s workers compensation claim for occupational cancer.
The union sent out a press release with its demand on Wednesday. It reveals that LaFollette will appeal the city’s decision and “urges the city to do what is right and stand with a firefighter who has given nearly two decades of service to this community.”
The statement quotes current AFA President David Girouard, who said LaFollette’s state-four ovarian cancer is “directly linked” to her work as a firefighter.
“[LaFollette] has spent her career protecting lives and property in Austin,” Girouard said. “She has fought countless fires, responded to hazardous materials incidents, and worked in environments saturated with carcinogens and toxic exposures.”
Girouard continued, “The science is clear. Over the past decade, research has confirmed the elevated cancer risks faced by female firefighters. As of January 10, 2025, federal standards explicitly recognize ovarian, uterine, cervical, breast, and basal cell carcinoma as high-risk occupational cancers for firefighters.”
He framed the appeal as a critical moment in city history. “This appeal is Austin’s chance to lead in Texas and stand up for what’s right by recognizing and supporting all firefighters facing occupational cancer,” he said. “We hold out faith in this process and ask the city to join us as we stand with Suzanne.”
This fact sheet from the International Association of Fire fighters and the Firefighter Cancer Support Network states that women firefighters do face an elevated risk of developing certain cancers, including breast, cervical, and ovarian.