NY Legislators Aim to Provide Cancer Coverage For Volunteer Firefighters

Two New York state legislators are pushing for passage of legislation to support 92,000 volunteer firefighters who may be at a greater risk of developing cancer.

Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther and state Sen. Michael Nozzolio have sponsored a bill that would provide presumptive cancer coverage to the state’s volunteer firefighters. The measure would allow coverage for several types of cancer that can be linked to firefighting.

For Nozzolio, R-Fayette, the issue hits close to home. One of his constituents, Matthew Foe of Geneva, passed away in 2012 after battling brain cancer. Foe was a volunteer fireman for more than 20 years.

“This bill will ensure that dedicated volunteers like Matthew, who sacrifice their safety to protect all of us, will not be neglected when facing a cancer diagnosis,” he said.

Studies have found firefighters are 102 percent more likely to develop testicular cancer, 62 percent more likely to develop esophageal cancer and 53 percent more likely to develop multiple myeloma.

Firefighters also are at a greater risk of developing breast and intestinal cancer.

The Firemen’s Association of the State of New York has launched a campaign, called Firefighters Fighting Cancer, to raise awareness about the legislation. The organization also unveiled a video featuring six firefighters who have survived cancer.

The bill sponsored by Gunther, a Democrat from Orange County, and Nozzolio was approved by the state Senate during the most recent legislative session.

However, the bill did not advance out of committee in the state Assembly.

Robert McConville, FASNY’s president, hopes state legislators will act on the measure when they return to Albany in January.

“There are 92,000 reasons that volunteer firefighters should have presumptive cancer coverage in New York state,” he said.