State Senator Jacobs Votes To Expand Volunteer Firefighters' Benefits Law

(ALBANY, NY) – New York State Senator Chris Jacobs (SD-60) voted in favor of Senate Bill S1411, which expands the Volunteer Firefighters’ Benefits Law. Jacobs was also a co-sponsor of the bill.

“Volunteer firefighters in our community deserve our support and respect,” said Senator Jacobs. “Every time a volunteer firefighter leaves their family to respond to a fire they do so at great exposure and risk.  The least we can do for those who volunteer to fight fires in our communities is to ensure that they receive the best health care possible for any illnesses or complications, including cancer, that they develop as a result of the work they do to keep us safe.” 

The bill expands coverage to volunteer firefighters with at least five years of service who developed lymphoma or leukemia after their service, and coverage for volunteer firefighters with at least 10 years of service who develop stomach, skin, breast, prostate and other reproductive cancers after their service. Volunteer firefighters would have had to pass their physical upon entry into the firefighter service with no cancer diagnosis.