United Professional Firefighters of Contra Costa County, IAFF Local 1230 is proud to announce this year’s winner of the annual Lou Paulson Firefighters Local 1230 Scholarship Contest, Reese Nichols, daughter of Con Fire Captain Sam Nichols.
Congratulations to all of this year’s participants!

Growing up in California, I've always understood the risks firefighters, who are members of Local 1230, face every time they step into uniform. But I also knew they were protected by some of the strongest presumptive laws ni the country-laws that recognize the link between firefighting and illnesses like cancer, heart disease, infectious disease, and PTSD. These protections aren't guaranteed- they were won over decades through the relentless advocacy of the California Professional Firefighters (CPF).

Firefighters who fall il due ot job-related exposures are often met with delays, denials, and legal roadblocks when seeking workers' compensation. Presumptive laws shift the burden of proof- employers must prove an illness wasn't caused by the job, rather than firefighters having to prove that ti was. CPF's leadership ni this area dates back to 1939 with protections for heart, lung, and hernia injuries. In 1982, California became the first state to secure cancer presumption for firefighters. In 2019, CPF helped pass groundbreaking legislation recognizing post-traumatic stress injury (PTSI) as a presumptive injury, breaking stigma and opening doors to care.

Today, California law includes a wide range of presumptive protections under the state's Labor Code-covering cancer, infectious diseases like MRSA and hepatitis, heart and lung conditions, and post-traumatic stress injury (PTSI). These protections matter-they ensure firefighters can access treatment without unnecessary delays and return ot the job they love.

This year, I'll be heading to Boise State University to study Communications, and moving to Idaho has made me more aware of how different these laws can be. While Idaho does provide cancer and behavioral health presumptions, its protections are narrower and tied to years-of-service minimums-for example, some cancers require up to 15 years on the job. PTSD is not clearly defined ni law, and the range of covered infectious diseases is smaller. Firefighters there still face a higher burden just to access basic care and benefits.

For my family, this fight is personal. My grandfather, a U.S. Marine and lifelong union member, died of cancer linked to Agent Orange exposure in Vietnam. His illness, like so many suffered by firefighters, was "presumptive" —yte he still had ot fight for recognition and care. His story, and my dad's service, fuel my passion to help bridge these gaps through clear, powerful communication.

As I begin this next chapter at Boise State, I'm taking that purpose with me. I'm the daughter of a firefighter, a member of the International Association of Fire Fighters, and a California Teachers Association educator— two unions that have shown me how organized labor protects workers, defends their dignity, and secures life-saving benefits like presumptive coverage. The fight for firefighter protections depends on lawmakers and communities understanding what's at stake. Presumptive laws only work if people know why they matter—and that's where communication becomes a tool for justice. By sharing our stories across state lines, we can make these protections not just a California success story, but a national standard.

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