Onondaga County volunteer firefighters fight for cancer coverage bill

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Onondaga County firefighters are joining fire departments across the state to fight for presumptive cancer coverage for volunteers.

“Today’s fires are far more toxic than ever,” according to FASNY, the Firemen’s Association of the State of New York. “Modern homes are built with synthetic materials and filled with an array of electronics and other substances that burn faster, hotter, and produce a staggering array of carcinogens.”

Because of this, today’s firefighters are more likely to develop cancer than their predecessors, according to FASNY.

New York’s paid firefighters are covered in the event of a cancer diagnosis because of this danger, but about 110,000 volunteers are not.

There is legislation in Albany that would address the issue. On Jan. 24, the state Senate unanimously passed S. 1411. The Assembly version of the bill, A. 711, is in committee and has not yet come to a vote.

The legislation extends the already existing Volunteer Firefighters’ Benefit Law to cover all incidents of melanoma, as well as cancers of the digestive, hematological, lymphatic, urinary, prostate, neurological, breast and reproductive systems. The bill includes length of service requirements, a statute of repose, and an op-out clause to minimize the financial impact of cancer coverage on local municipalities, according to FASNY.

“Dozens of states across the country have already passed similar laws, but sadly New York is lagging behind,” FASNY President and Taunton Fire Department member Ken Pienkowski said in a news release. “Plain and simple,  New York’s 110,000 volunteer firefighters deserve presumptive cancer coverage. We urge the Assembly to act swiftly to protect the health of New York’s volunteers, and to send this bill to Gov. Cuomo’s desk.”

Dozens of Onondaga County volunteer firefighters will assemble on Saturday morning along with FASNY representatives to discuss the legislation at the 9^th Annual Onondaga County Fire and Emergency Services Education and Legislative Breakfast.