DONALD and Thomas (Ken) Johnson loved their careers as firemen, but sadly it probably sent them to their graves too early.
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The former Warrnambool residents, who grew up with their three other brothers, served more than 30 years with the Metropolitan Fire Brigade.
However, their retirement was cut short by cancer.
Donald was diagnosed in 1994 with bowel cancer about 10 years into his retirement and died soon afterwards at the age of 66.
Five years later Ken died at the age of 68 after being diagnosed with aggressive lung cancer.
Neither were tobacco smokers.
Their graves are only metres apart at Tower Hill Cemetery.
Ken’s son Brett Johnson, of Westmere, has aired the Johnson family’s experience in the hope authorities will give more recognition to health risks associated with firefighting. He has written to Western Victoria MP Simon Ramsay hoping he will raise the issue in Parliament.
Greens MP Greg Barber was in Warrnambool earlier this month speaking with firefighters on his legislation proposal which would guarantee better compensation support to victims.
The United Firefighters Union is also campaigning on the issue.
Mr Johnson said his mother and others in the family were convinced there was a link between cancer and firefighting.
“Mum received no compensation and authorities never took on her cause,” he said.
“Dad had lots of fire brigade mates who passed away in their 50s and 60s through cancer.
“He got tired of going to funerals of men going before their time.
“Their breathing apparatus and training methods were a lot less safe then than now and they were exposed to a lot of asbestos material.
“He had been as fit as a fiddle, then was diagnosed in November and died in January.
“I have no doubt it was their exposure to smoke and chemicals in the course of their duty that claimed the lives of Don, Ken and many colleagues.”
The state government is awaiting more advice on how to deal with the issue.
“We need to get the best expert opinion rather than proceed with a presumption that every cancer in every circumstance is attributable to their work, because that’s simply not the case,” Premier and South West Coast MP Denis Napthine told The Standard earlier this month.