Firefighters fighting for cancer coverage

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — We thank firefighters for their service, but the fact is as they fight our fires, they increase their risk of cancer.

Their risk is higher because the smoke from fires has high levels of carcinogens and other toxins.

Now, volunteer firefighters are asking for help with better cancer coverage.

Ken Pienkowski is president of the Firemen’s Association for the state of New York and talks about equal coverage for both volunteer and paid firefighters.

“Presently, the volunteers are not covered, but the paid firefighters are covered for cancer. Cancer is an epidemic in the fire service in general,” Pienkowski said.

You can watch the full interview in the player above.