Lawmakers Seek Cancer Coverage For Firefighters

Professional and volunteer firefighters share much of the same risks when combating fires.

But unlike the former, volunteers do not receive extra health care benefits when it comes to cancer coverage.

In fact, even though state law links 23 types of cancer to firefighting, only lung cancer is a presumed cancer benefit for volunteers.

“Volunteer firefighters face the same hazardous conditions when fighting fires as their paid firefighter colleagues, and it is only right that they have the same health care coverage,” said state Sen. Cathy Young, R-Olean.

Recently, Young announced she has co-sponsored a bill that would expand presumptive cancer coverage for volunteer interior firefighters, noting that certain types of cancers, including cancers of the digestive, hematological, lymphatic, urinary, prostate, neurological, breast and reproductive systems, are a result of overexposure to smoke and toxic fumes.

“We know a greater number of firefighters are being diagnosed with cancer, and medical studies continue to conclude that firefighters are at a significantly higher risk for many types of cancer,” Young said. “This legislation will address these critical health issues, honoring the service of our volunteer first responders, and bringing them in line with their paid colleagues.”

The Senate bill serves as an amendment to the Volunteer Firefighters’ Benefits Law, which provides benefits to volunteers injured on duty. The amendment ensures that any volunteer firefighter who has at least five years of service as an interior firefighter can acquire presumptive coverage under VFBL if diagnosed with cancer affecting the lymphatic or hematological systems. Volunteers with at least 10 years of service as interior firefighters can acquire presumptive coverage under VFBL if diagnosed with cancer affecting the digestive, urinary, prostate, neurological, breast or reproductive systems or melanoma.

Claims for benefits must be filed within 12 years of separation from active service.

The bill provides the option for town, city and village boards to adopt a local law or resolution to not provide this coverage.

The bill has already passed the Senate and made its way to the Assembly.

Assemblyman Andy Goodell, R-Jamestown, said he has joined 65 other co-sponsors for the legislation.

“We have a lot of bi-partisan support for the bill in the Assembly,” Goodell said. “I’m confident that if it comes up for a vote, it will pass.”

Goodell said the bill is currently being reviewed by the Assembly’s Local Government committee. A technical amendment reportedly caused the same bill to not make it to the Assembly floor last year.

Julius Leone, director of Emergency Services for Chautauqua County, said the bill has been a top priority for fire organizations statewide.