Being a firefighter is a dangerous job.

That's why a Kentucky group is asking state lawmakers to expand benefits for their children and spouses in the event they die in the line of duty.

As our June Leffler reports, cancer is now the leading cause of death for these first responders.

For generations, the public associated firefighter's death with a tragic fireground event a collapse, an explosion, a rescue gone wrong.

But today, the numbers tell a different story.

Over 65% of firefighters who die in the line of duty today die from occupational cancer.

Kentucky law recognizes that when a firefighter is diagnosed with cancer before the age of 65, it's because of their job.

Under current Kentucky law, certain cancers are recognized as presumptively caused by occupational exposure in the fire service.

This includes cancers such as brain, bladder, colon, and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

With help from a Northern Kentucky Republican, firefighters are lobbying the state to expand the list of qualified cancers.

We respectfully urge the committee to amend Kentucky's current presumptive cancer law to include prostate, pancreatic, thyroid, breast cancer, both for men and women.

Esophageal multiple melanoma and other cancers are identified by our Nai ash and occupational as occupationally linked to firefighting.

The surviving spouse and children of a firefighter who dies from job hazards are entitled to lump sum, partial wage and pension payments, and free in-state tuition.

Sometimes I hate coming up here with these bills to expand the cancer diagnoses for firefighters, because I'm really terrified that people will stop going into the profession.

But what I'm hoping is by showing the support and the camaraderie and how much we care about them, that it will keep populations in the fire fighting thing.

From when I hear from firemen all across the state, especially in Louisville, is they just want to be seen and recognize that this is an issue that they face head on every day.

And they they do it anyway, knowing this risk.

Last Thursday, Frankfort lawmakers also heard from a survivor of sexual assault whose case was resolved using a DNA database.

I am so fortunate to have justice, but all victims deserve justice.

And sadly, due to outdated collection policies and DNA technologies, victims and their families will continue to have justice withheld.

So the truth is, if this had happened in Kentucky, you would not have swabbed his cheek and my perpetrator would still be free right now to rape, harm and terrorize his next victims.

Kentucky and all other states collect DNA from convicted felony offenders.

The DNA justice Project lobbies for DNA collection upon a felony arrest to help solve crimes and exonerate those wrongly accused.

The chair of the House Local Government Committee has proposed such a change in the past.

For Kentucky Edition, I'm Jen Leffler.

Thank you.

June.

Kentucky's fallen firefighters are honored at a monument in Frankfurt's Juniper Hill Park.

Seven names were added to the monument last year.