Assemblyman Ed Ra (R-Franklin Square) is happy to announce the Assembly has passed a bill, of which he is a sponsor, which would expand the disability benefits that volunteer firefighters receive to cover cancer. This would require fire departments, districts or companies to provide cancer disability benefit programs to eligible firefighters.

“Volunteer firefighters are an important part of our community and give us so much without asking anything in return," said Ra. “Firefighters risk their health and lives every day for our community, it is only right that we ensure that these selfless individuals are protected in the event they contract an illness related to their service as a volunteer firefighter.”

The bill previously passed the N.Y. State Senate and will head to the desk of Governor Cuomo for his approval.