A bill co-sponsored by Senator Joseph Griffo, R-Rome, that would expand benefit coverage for volunteer firefighters who are diagnosed with various forms of cancer linked to their duties, has been approved in the state senate.

Griffo represents the 47th Senate District, which includes a swath running through the middle of St. Lawrence County, from Massena to Fine, including Potsdam.

The exposure to smoke that volunteer firefighters experience every time they battle flames makes it more likely that they will develop lung cancer. The exposure to smoke and toxic fumes also creates greater risk that a firefighter will develop cancer in other parts of their body, like their esophagus, stomach, blood, intestines and brain.

This legislation (S3891) would expand existing coverage under the Volunteer Firefighters’ Benefit Law to include cancer of the digestive, hematological, lymphatic, urinary, prostate, neurological, breast and reproductive systems. After a volunteer firefighter has entered the fire service upon successfully passing a physical examination that did not reveal any evidence of cancer, it will be presumed that any cancerous conditions that develop later are the result of that firefighter performing their duties, according to the bill.

“These courageous men and women ... are the first to step up when flames threaten to violently consume everything we have, and so the least we can do is stand up for our volunteer firefighters in the unfortunate event that they one day suffer the painful price of their public service. Our volunteer firemen and women have never abandoned us in moments of crisis, so we should not abandon them,” Griffo said.

Robert McConville, President of the Firemen’s Association of the State of New York, said: “FASNY applauds the New York State Senate and Senator Joseph Griffo for voting in favor of presumptive cancer coverage for volunteer firefighters. We volunteer to run into burning buildings, to extinguish burning cars, and to help people in need, but we did not volunteer to get cancer. FASNY urges the New York State Assembly to do the right thing, and to vote this bill into law.”