PHOTO: Assemblyman Goldfeder said New York’s 100,000 volunteer firefighters are currently not covered for most cancers. File Photo
By Forum Staff
Members of the Assembly and Senate, and leaders representing 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 have joined together in an effort to extend a helping hand to volunteer firefighters facing a daunting challenge: beating cancer.
“Our local volunteer firefighters in southern Queens and Rockaway have risen to the occasion during some of our state’s greatest disasters, from September 11th to Superstorm Sandy. With bravery and determination, their selfless acts continue to keep our families safe. For this and more, we owe it to our vollies to stand with them as they face the greatest challenge of their lives,” said Assemblyman Phil Goldfeder (D-Howard Beach).
During a press conference at the State Capitol last week, Goldfeder and others stood in support of Assembly bill A5518, which would extend the already existing Volunteer Firefighters’ Benefit Law to cover all instances of melanoma, as well as cancers of the digestive, hematological, lymphatic, urinary, prostate, neurological, breast, and reproductive systems. During the 2015 legislative session, this bill unanimously passed the State Senate, but was still in committee in the Assembly at the end of the year.
While fire service leaders and organizations have implemented robust awareness campaigns in an effort to lower cancer rates, cancer is endemic to firefighting because of routine exposure to smoke, toxins, and other cancer-causing agents in the line of duty. Fires have become more and more dangerous in recent years, as synthetic materials have become commonplace in building and furniture construction. This, coupled with the ubiquitous presence of electronics in buildings, means that modern fires are more toxic than ever before, producing a much greater volume of carcinogens. Among the most astounding statistics: firefighters are 102% more likely to develop testicular cancer than the general population.
Goldfeder’s district is home to five volunteer fire departments, as well as numerous FDNY members and other first responders. There are roughly 100,000 volunteer firefighters in the state, saving New Yorkers nearly $3 billion every year. Goldfeder last week announced open applications for a new round of federal SAFER grants to volunteer fire departments for personnel and training costs. The deadline to submit applications is Friday, March 25, 2016. Fire departments are encouraged to contact the Assemblyman’s office at 718-945-9550 or via email at goldfederp@assembly.state.ny.us for more information.
