Sponsored by State Sen. Joseph A. Griffo, R-Rome, and Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther, D-Forestburgh, the bill is being sent to Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo’s desk after three years of resistance from the Assembly.
An amended version of the bill was unanimously passed by both houses Monday and Tuesday.
Volunteer firefighters currently do not have access to the level of care available to those who work full time, including coverage for illness as a result of exposure to smoke and other toxic elements.
The previous version of the bill extended the existing Volunteer Firefighters’ Benefit Law to cover all instances of melanoma, digestive, hematological, lymphatic, urinary, prostate, neurological, breast and reproductive system cancers.
The amended version instead provides a $25,000 lump sum for a firefighter who qualifies.
Additionally, the legislation stipulates that a volunteer firefighter with five or more years of experience as an interior firefighter will receive health coverage for cancer as long as a physical received upon becoming a firefighter showed no evidence of cancer.
The bill also would provide $1,500 in monthly disability payments for three years if the firefighter is unable to work because of the cancer. And if a firefighter dies from the illness, his or her family will receive a $50,000 death benefit.
The benefits would be covered by local fire departments, fire districts or local governments, under the legislation.
“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,” Sen. Griffo said in a release.
Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne, D-Theresa, also voted in support of the bill.
“This legislation is long overdue,” she said in a statement. “We know our volunteer firefighters are being exposed to more and more chemicals when they enter burning buildings due to changes in building materials and furniture. We have a moral obligation to offer protections to the brave men and women who risk their lives to answer the fire calls, as well to ensure their families are protected when they respond to a fire scene.”
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