FASNY campaign highlighting health risks of firefighters wins award

A video campaign by the Firemen’s Association of the State of New York (FASNY) that highlights the struggles faced by volunteer firefighters who have been diagnosed with cancer has won a prestigious award, according to FASNY.

The video, titled “The Cost of Cancer in the Fire Service,” was given the Telly Award. The “Tellys” are a nationwide advertising industry awards program that recognizes the best creative campaigns of the year.

FASNY’s video campaign focuses on Wayne Smoulcey of the Willowvale Fire Company, Tony Pagliaro of the Schuyler Volunteer Fire Company and the late John O’Bomsawin of the Wynantskill Fire Department. It highlights the health risks and dangers that both volunteer and career firefighters face on the job, and it demonstrates the need for presumptive cancer coverage.

The video is part of FASNY’s efforts to secure lifesaving cancer coverage for the 110,000 volunteer firefighters in New York State. It was launched in 2016 to encourage and support advancing healthcare legislation in the New York State Legislature.

“We would like to thank these brave families for allowing us to tell their stories in hopes that one day volunteer firefighters will have the coverage they deserve,” said FASNY President Ken Pienkowski in the news release. “We hope that this recognition inspires real legislative action so a video like this won’t have to be made for volunteer firefighter families in the future.”?

The statewide campaign was shot at different locations across New York State. It featured commentary from Diane Smoulcey of New Hartford, Nicole Pagliaro of Utica and Alicia O’Bamsawin of Troy, all of whom are or were married to a volunteer firefighter who was diagnosed with cancer as a result of the carcinogens they’re exposed to on the job.

The campaign was created by ABC Creative, a Syracuse-based advertising and marketing agency.

To watch the video campaign, click here.