Ranzenhofer Encourages Governor to Sign Bill to Give Greater Health Protections to Volunteer Firefighters

Amherst, NY - Senator Michael H. Ranzenhofer today called on Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to sign legislation that would help to further protect the health of volunteer firefighters who become sick due to the hazards they encounter from their service to our community. 

The bill- passed by the State Assembly and State Senate in June- expands the benefits available to volunteer firefighters when they contract certain illnesses and cancers as a result of their dangerous work.

Overexposure to smoke increases the risk of contracting cancer of the lungs, but may also cause cancer in an individual's esophagus, stomach, blood, intestines, and even the brain. A National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) study suggests firefighters are at higher risk of cancers of the digestive, oral, respiratory, and urinary systems when compared to the general population.

This legislation expands the existing coverage available under the Volunteer Firefighters Benefit Law to include cancer of the digestive, hematological, lymphatic, urinary, prostate, neurological, breast and reproductive systems or melanoma.

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