Professional firefighters who are hurt or killed while traveling directly to or from work as a firefighter are now considered on the job for workers' compensation eligibility, as long as they are not engaged in criminal activity.
Official title: firefighters; employment status
- September 12, 2026
What changes
BeforeThe rule said a peace officer or fire fighter hurt or killed while traveling directly to or from work "as a peace officer" was considered on the job for workers' compensation eligibility.
NowThe rule now also covers travel directly to or from work "as a firefighter," so a firefighter's commute counts as on the job for workers' compensation eligibility, unless the firefighter is engaged in criminal activity.
Before"Fire fighter" was defined by reference to another section of state law (section 1-215).
NowFor this rule, "firefighter" means a professional firefighter who is a state firefighter, a member of a city or town fire department, a member of a fire district fire department, or a member of a fire authority.
Who it affects
- Professional firefighters who are state firefighters or members of city or town fire departments, fire district fire departments or fire authorities
- Peace officers (wording updated; their coverage rule stays in place)
- Fire departments, fire districts and fire authorities as employers
- Workers' compensation insurers
What you need to do
Nothing.
What the law doesn't answer
- How the old definition in section 1-215 compares to the new definition, and whether any firefighters gain or lose coverage because of the change
- Whether volunteer or part-time firefighters fit the term "professional firefighter"
- Whether the change applies to injuries that happened before the law takes effect
- What counts as traveling "directly" to or from work
- The limit on employer civil liability still refers only to travel to or from work "as a peace officer"; the text does not say how that applies to firefighters' commutes
This summary describes the law as enacted. Later laws, court rulings or referendum petitions can change the picture. Check the official text for the current wording.