The New York State Senate recently passed legislation to help further protect volunteer firefighters who become sick as a result of certain hazards that they encounter while on duty, such as smoke and toxic fumes.

The bill (S1411) would expand the existing medical coverage available under the Volunteer Firefighters’ Benefit Law to include cancer of the digestive, hematological, lymphatic, urinary, prostate, neurological, breast and reproductive systems, or melanoma. 

Senator John A. DeFrancisco was proud to have supported this legislation in the State Senate on behalf of all our volunteer firefighters. Now it is up to the State Assembly and Governor Cuomo to join with us in providing our volunteer firefighters with the support and protections that they deserve.