WESTFIELD—Rep. John Velis and Westfield firefighter Greg Heath are urging residents to provide testimonies ahead of the Joint Committee on Public Service’s hearing on the bill they are trying to get passed, which would give legal protection to firefighters who end up with the disease.
The bill, specifically titled “H1455, An Act relative to Parkinson’s Disease Disability and Death in Firefighters,” came from Heath’s discussions with Velis, as well as an online petition created by Heath that has gathered over 50,000 signatures. Now, the bill is tentatively being heard in the Boston State house on May 31, at 11 a.m., and Velis and Heath are hoping to gather testimonies, both in-person and written, to be presented to the committee.
“We are really looking forward to this hearing, hoping to pack the room with as many interested parties as possible, to get as many firefighters to this as possible,” Velis said.
Westfield firefighter Greg Heath (red shirt, holding the proclamation) stands beside Mayor Brian Sullivan (to right of Heath), along with the residents and others on hand for the proclamation. On Friday, May 19, Sullivan announced that April would be Parkinson’s Awareness Month in Westfield
“Anyone, but certainly firefighters with Parkinson’s, are urged to talk,” Heath said.
The bill, if passed, would protect firefighters who contract Parkinson’s by creating a legal presumption that the disease was contracted from conditions related to their duty. This, in turn, would extend accidental disability benefits—benefits given to those injured or who become sick while in the line of duty—to those affected.
Rep. John Velis, in a photo from The Westfield News files
In support of the bill will be several different individuals, both Velis and Heath said. According to Heath, there will be firefighters with Parkinson’s from various parts of the Commonwealth who are willing to speak, and the Professional Firefighters of Massachusetts union is also putting together a panel of speakers for the hearing.
Velis said that Heath will also give testimony, as well as medical professionals who he hopes will highlight the potential link between the firefighting career and the disease.
And even if you’re unable to make it to the hearing itself, Velis and Heath both said that written testimonies are welcomed, both before and after the hearing.
“If you can make it obviously that’s the best way to make a point, but if you can’t then write it,” Velis said.
According to Velis, the written testimonies still have a potentially high impact on the decision regarding the bill, especially since there is a high likelihood that the hearing will go into executive session and a decision will be made at a later date.
For tips on both in-person and written testimony, Emily Swanson, legislative aide for Velis, provided the following:
Quick Tips:
- Written testimony should be brief, try to keep it to one page, if possible
- Sending both email and printed copies is most effective. Testimony can be sent before or after the hearing until the bill is moved out of committee.
- Make it clear in the first sentence that you are writing testimony in support of H1455 and that you are a Massachusetts Resident
- Sign with your name, address, and phone number
- Testimony is usually written in the form of a letter with the reason(s) you support the bill and would like to see it passed
- Although all correspondence is good, letters clearly written by you are best (include personal stories). Form letters are not as effective.
In-Person testimony:
- Hearings are open to the public, who are allowed to testify during the hearing. If you would like to testify in person, please contact the committee for more information 617-722-2240.
Finally, in order to submit your written testimony, Velis urges constituents to submit them at his Westfield office at 52 Court St., or send them via email to [email protected] or [email protected] and make sure that you specify the email in the subject line.
