Dozens of Long Island volunteer firefighters & first responders expected to attend
(Long Island, NY) On Saturday morning, dozens of Long Island volunteer firefighters will assemble at Albertson Fire Department, along with local elected officials and representatives from the Firemen’s Association of the State of New York (FASNY) and the Southern New York Volunteer Firemen’s Association (SNYVFA) to discuss the 2016 legislative agenda.
New York State’s 100,000 volunteer firefighters are finding 2016 to be a busy year legislatively, led by a strong push for presumptive cancer coverage for the volunteer first responders. Currently the volunteers are not covered if diagnosed with many cancers; yet firefighters are diagnosed with cancer at a much higher rate than the general population, owing largely to the toxins and carcinogens they are exposed to in the line of duty. Firefighters who are cancer survivors will share their experiences.
Other issues addressed will be prohibiting illegal modifications to dwellings that put first responders in danger; and the hazards of chemical flame retardants in residential upholstered furniture.
FASNY has released an economic impact study titled “Tax Savings and Economic Value of Volunteer Firefighters in New York.” The study, the most in-depth of its kind, concludes that the 100,000 volunteer firefighters across New York save the state’s taxpayers more than $3 billion annually. These savings are realized because volunteer firefighters are not paid wages and because fundraising by volunteer organizations reduces the need to levy taxes to finance fire equipment and operations.
Study at this link: http://www.fasny.com/EconomicStudy/
Coffee is available at 8:00 a.m. and the presentations begin at 9:00. To view legislation prioritized by FASNY, please visit http://wdt.me/fasny-legislation.
WHO:
- FASNY President Robert McConville
- FASNY 2nd Vice President & SNYVFA Nassau County Director Steven Klein
- SNYVFA President Thomas McDonough; FASNY officials
- Elected officials
- Dozens of local volunteer first responders, including cancer survivors.
WHAT: SNYVFA Legislative Outreach Session – firefighters gather to discuss the 2016 legislative agenda.
WHEN: Saturday, March 19, 2016
- Coffee at 8:00 a.m.
- Presentations 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon
WHERE: Albertson Fire Department, 100 I.U. Willets Road, Albertson, NY 11507
