Providence firefighters, from left, James Petersen Jr., Jay Briddy and Lt. Steven Schora address the media at a demonstration yesterday in front of Providence City Hall. The three firefighters have cancer and are fighting to get disability pensions.

The Providence Journal / Bill Murphy

PROVIDENCE — A union demonstration for three Providence firefighters with cancer was held yesterday on the City Hall steps with political rhetoric aimed at the mayor.

After being crushed by criticism last week for planning to demonstrate in the midst of yesterday’s Homeland Security drill, Paul A. Doughty, president of Local 799 of the International Association of Fire Fighters, accused Mayor David N. Cicilline of using the controversy for political gain.

“Mayor Cicilline will continue to use the Providence firefighters as the rung on his ladder,” Doughty said, with about 60 firefighters standing on the steps behind him, after the conclusion of the drill. “We’re sorry we denied your [opportunity] to make political hay to your political benefit. Mayor Cicilline, you may hold the high ground, but none can hold the moral higher ground.”

The union had wanted to demonstrate and carry signs during the drill to get attention for its efforts to get disability pensions for firefighters presumed to have work-related cancer.

Doughty had told the state Association of Fire Fighters a week and a half ago about the planned demonstration, and the other firefighters unions pulled out of the drill. Some involved said that the Providence firefighters union told them not to attend.

With the $50,000 drill in jeopardy without any firefighters, the union leaders were chastised by political leaders from both sides, as well as by the public. On Friday, the union rescheduled the demonstration for after the drill. Doughty said the other fire departments and unions “misinterpreted.”

“It was never our intention to negatively impact the drill, and anyone who says otherwise is misinformed,” he said yesterday.

The mayor had called the union leaders “reckless and irresponsible” for jeopardizing a disaster drill over a contract issue.

“Dozens of firefighters responded to September 11th and to Hurricane Katrina. Providence firefighters have led this country in training and preparedness — with actions, not words,” Doughty said. “Don’t you dare try to paint our position [on disability pensions] … as petty, unreasonable, and unjust.”

Providence Firefighters James Petersen Jr. and Jay Briddy have colon cancer, and Lt. Steven Schora has lymphoma. All three are out injured — Petersen since 2005, Briddy since 2004 and Schora since 1997. They are still paid their full salaries and benefits in anticipation that they’ll return to work. But their doctors have told them they aren’t well enough.

Firefighters can retire after 20 years with a pension equaling 50 percent of salary. An accidental-disability pension — which is what the union wants for firefighters with cancer — equals two-thirds of salary, tax-free, with full benefits. Disabled firefighters can also take back all the money they’ve contributed to the pension system, with interest.

The three firefighters’ applications for disability pensions went before the city retirement board this year. Doughty said the city solicitor found a “legal loophole” where Providence’s disability pensions don’t conform to the state law that presumes firefighters can contract cancer from their occupation. “No one can say we’re not exposed to carcinogens,” Doughty said.

The applications were tabled at the request of Fire Chief George S. Farrell, who has said he wanted to work on the issue with the mayor. The union prompted City Councilman Miguel Luna to submit an ordinance to jibe with the state law, and Councilman Terrence Hassett has promised it will get an expedited hearing.

The issue is complex. Some studies have found that firefighters have higher incidences of certain cancers, but there are other factors to be considered, including family history and personal care. But Providence firefighters with cancer have to point to a certain incident when they contracted the illness — which is nearly impossible.

Other cities and towns in Rhode Island have a presumptive clause for firefighters with cancer. Doughty said he didn’t know how often those applications are successful.

amilkovi@projo.com