By Michael V. Cusenza
Governor Kathy Hochul recently signed into law two pieces of legislation that will protect the current New York Volunteer Firefighters’ Benefit Law and expand the provisions which provide a system of benefits for volunteer firefighters who are injured or become ill while performing their duties, according to Assemblywoman Stacey Pheffer Amato (D-Howard Beach), the prime co-sponsor of both bills in the Assembly.
A.8275 provides an expansion of disability coverage related to heart disease for all volunteer firefighters, while A.8276 expanded coverage for lung-related illnesses.
“The brave men and women who volunteer their time to help our community when we’re in crisis deserve these healthcare protections. I’m proud of all vollies throughout New York State because they step up and show up for us when we need them! They’ve got our back, and through these bills New York State is showing that we’ve got their back too,” said Pheffer Amato.
Photo Courtesy of Google
The Broad Channel Volunteer firehouse on Noel Road.
There are nine vollie houses in The World’s Borough. In South Queens, the Broad Channel Volunteer Fire Department, the West Hamilton Beach Volunteer Fire Department, the Point Breeze Volunteer Fire Department, and the Rockaway Point Volunteer Fire Department protect the community 24 hours a day, seven days a week. They are 100 percent volunteer agencies.
The BCVFD was launched on Aug. 31, 1905, as a “bucket brigade” to help minimize property loss due to fires and lower insurance premiums, as there was no form of fire protection on the island. On Dec. 15, 1907, the brigade was formally organized into the Broad Channel Volunteer Fire Association. The current firehouse at 15 Noel Rd. was opened on Firemens Day, 1908.
