Lawmakers, volunteer firefighters praise passage of legislation for cancer coverage

Both chambers of the state Legislature have passed a bill that would provide medical benefits for volunteer firefighters who are diagnosed with certain forms of cancers during the course of their duties.

It is now set to head to Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo’s desk for final consideration. The legislation’s passage is being hailed by three area state legislators. The state Conference of Mayors, however, is taking issue with the bill.

“Our volunteer firefighters have waited long enough to achieve the medical coverage they need and deserve for courageously putting their lives on the line to protect their communities,” said Sen. Joseph A. Griffo, R-47, Rome, in a release. “Today’s fires and smoke are only getting more dangerous and toxic, and the risks of developing cancer are greater than ever before, so it is critical that proper health coverage is provided to help support those volunteer firefighters and their families who are confronting cancer. “

The state Senate cleared the bill on Monday after undergoing revisions. The Assembly passed it on Tuesday.

“Firefighters often respond to interior fires where cancer-causing substances are burning,” said Assemblyman Anthony J. Brindisi, D-119, Utica. “It is only right that we provide the volunteers who are there to save our homes and our families with the health care coverage they deserve from the hazards they regularly encounter as first responders.”

Unlike full-time career firefighters, volunteer firefighters across the state do not currently receive benefit coverage if they are diagnosed with cancer.

“This was important legislation to help our volunteer firefighters, and I am proud to be part of passing it,” said Assemblyman Brian Miller, R-101, New Hartford. “They deserve to know we have their backs and they deserve a sense of security knowing they will have the necessary health benefits to fight life threatening diseases.”

In order to be eligible for the enhanced cancer benefits, a volunteer firefighter diagnosed with cancer must have served for at least five years as an interior firefighter and passed at least five yearly certified mask fitting tests and must have had a physical examination upon entry into service that did not reveal any evidence of cancer.

The volunteer would be eligible for a lump sum payment of $6,250 or $25,000 depending on the diagnosis. If the firefighter becomes disabled due to cancer, he or she may receive a monthly benefit of $1,500 payable for up to 36 months.

In the event of a cancer related death, the volunteer firefighter’s family would be eligible for a death benefit of $50,000.

Under the bill, which would take effect in 2019, funds that are received by the volunteer firefighter as insurance payments for cancer benefits are not subject to state income taxes.

Firefighters would remain eligible for benefits for up to five years after they leave active fire service. Insurance premiums would be covered by individual fire departments, districts or local governments. The amended legislation does not include an opt-out clause for municipalities, as the previous version did.

Former Whitesboro Fire Chief Brian McQueen is a cancer survivor and one of the founders of the Believe 271 Foundation, established in 2014 to provide financial and emotional support to volunteer firefighters diagnosed with life-threatening illnesses in Oneida and Herkimer counties. McQueen and his wife, Sarah, were in Albany on Tuesday to watch the Assembly’s long-awaited passage of this bill.

“This bill will provide the support for the volunteer fire service and their families that was never available to them,” said McQueen.

Ken Pienkowski, president of the Firemen’s Association of the State of New York, said, “Today is a great day for the 110,000 men and women of the Volunteer Fire Service who place themselves in harm’s way to protect their fellow New Yorkers.”