For Andrew Evans, Captain of Ingleburn Fire Station, service has always meant showing up when people need help most.
Throughout his 28 years working as a firefighter, Andrew has faced smoke, danger and uncertainty. But nothing prepared him for the moment he was diagnosed with stage four oesophageal junction cancer.
After experiencing occasional head spins, he didn’t think they were a sign of anything serious. However, blood tests revealed very low iron levels, leading to further investigations and a diagnosis that changed everything.
At first, Andrew was told surgery was unlikely to be an option. But he wasn’t ready to accept that outcome.
I didn’t want a team managing my decline. I wanted a team willing to fight with me. That’s when EML came into my life.
Finding hope
Once his case was submitted as a workers compensation claim, Andrew told his EML Senior Case Manager, Alisa C. that he wanted a second opinion. She acted quickly to make it happen.
Working closely with Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) and Andrew’s treating team, Alisa coordinated the approvals needed to explore every possible pathway.
That second opinion changed everything.
Following major surgery with a specialist surgical team and ongoing treatment, Andrew received the news he and his wife, Kim, had been hoping for. His latest scan showed no evidence of disease.
The human face of the policy
Andrew’s claim was accepted under NSW’s Presumptive Legislation, introduced under the Workers Compensation Act 1987 to make it easier for firefighters diagnosed with certain cancers to access treatment through workers compensation. Under the legislation, if a firefighter develops one of the listed cancers after a qualifying period of service, the disease is presumed to be work-related.
EML has managed workers compensation claims for FRNSW for over 15 years, a partnership that reflects our ongoing commitment to helping those who help others. Recognising the complex needs of firefighters and their families following a cancer diagnosis, we created a dedicated specialist team that supports firefighters with cancer claims and enables access to our Cancer in Care package.
Developed in collaboration with FRNSW, the Cancer in Care package brings together tailored services throughout treatment and recovery. It includes physical and occupational rehabilitation, psychological support, counselling, support in the home and, in some cases, accommodation near treatment facilities.
For Andrew, Kim became his primary carer. The assistance they received helped ease the pressure during an incredibly difficult time.
The support meant we could focus on survival, not paperwork.
High-touch, seamless care
For Alisa and the team, the work goes well beyond claim administration.
“Pre-empting things is what we’re really good at.”
“When someone is fighting cancer, everyday matters,” Alisa said. “Our role is to act with urgency, compassion and care so the person and their family feel supported through one of the hardest times of their lives.”
Andrew is now rebuilding his strength and working towards returning to the role he loves. He has also used his experience to speak with other firefighters about cancer awareness and the importance of seeking help.
Andrew’s story reflects what is possible when legislation, medical care, employer support and claims management work together with a shared purpose.
For firefighters like Andrew, that support can mean more than access to treatment. It can mean hope, time with family and the chance to keep moving forward.
This material has been prepared for general information only. It has not been prepared for any person’s individual circumstances and is not intended to be legal, medical or workplace health and safety advice. The EML Group* takes no responsibility for the accuracy, currency, reliability and correctness of any information included in the material provided.
