NY Firefighters Press Legislative Agenda In Albany

ALBANY, NY – New York state firefighters are pushing a legislative agenda that includes expansion of cancer coverage for volunteer firefighters, requiring smoke alarms to have sealed-in 10-year batteries, and allowing volunteer fire companies to charge for ambulance service.

Members of the Firemen’s Association of the State of New York, the New York State Association of Fire Chiefs, and the Association of Fire Districts of the State of New York will be in Albany Monday for a lobby day.

Oneida County volunteer firefighters Brian McQueen of Whitesboro and Dan Schwertfeger of Floyd will be discussing their personal experiences with cancer.

Some studies have shown that firefighters have an increased risk of cancer because of exposure to carcinogens in the line of duty.

There is currently no formal assistance available for volunteers who are diagnosed with cancer.

Brian McQueen and Dan Schwertfeger are intimately familiar with the challenges faced by volunteer firefighters diagnosed with cancer – both are cancer survivors themselves.

The Fireman’s Assocation of the State of New York (FASNY) officials emphasize that, “Firefighters are exposed to high concentrations of carcinogens while in the line of duty, and are at a higher risk for cancer than the general population. Despite this, volunteer firefighters have no formal protection in the event of a cancer diagnosis.”

“We’ve done our part,” said FASNY President Robert McConville. “We are pushing an aggressive health and safety training program for all volunteer firefighters in the state to try and minimize the risk of cancer, but the simple truth is that as long as there are fires, there will be firefighters exposed to high levels of carcinogens. We call on Albany to make sure that no volunteer firefighter ever has to face cancer alone.”

According to FASNY, “Volunteer fire service leaders across the state support the adoption of a law that would require battery-powered alarms to be equipped with sealed-in, non-removable batteries that last for at least 10 years.”

“These longer lasting smoke alarms will save lives,” said Donald Corkery, President of the New York State Association of Fire Chiefs. “Too many lives have been lost in houses without working smoke alarms, and these 10-year alarms make homes safer. They also protect our firefighters, who will be more likely to find a burning home evacuated, rather than risk life and limb to rescue trapped residents. Let’s make New York safer for homeowners and firefighters alike.”

“The simple truth is that ambulance calls are resource-intensive,” said Thomas Herlihy, President of the Association of Fire Districts of the State of New York. “Our EMTs must spend more time than ever before training and learning the newest medical protocols, and this is happening at a time when our EMS call volume is steadily rising. Billing a patient’s insurance provider will allow fire departments to recover some of the cost of that call, while not imposing any hardship on the patient themselves and reducing costs to taxpayers.”

Note: Some information provided by FASNY, https://fasny.com