Queens, NY – New York State Assemblywoman Stacey Pheffer Amato presented an official State Resolution which declared January as Firefighter Cancer Prevention Month to the leadership of the Uniformed Firefighters Association (UFA), which is the union for the men and women in the FDNY, the Uniformed Firefighters Officers Association (UFOA), which represents the commanding officers within the FDNY, along with the New York State Professional Fire Fighters Association (NYSPFFA), which represents all firefighters outside NYC. The resolution, which Pheffer Amato is the prime co-sponsor of, solidifies New York’s recognition that firefighters have a 9% greater chance of being diagnosed with cancer, and serves as a commitment to help those impacted.

Pheffer Amato was also personally thanked by the UFA and UFOA for her recent groundbreaking legislation, A.7679 which added thyroid cancer to a list of covered cancers for firefighters. Through her bill, the Assemblywoman was able to solidify that if any firefighter gets thyroid cancer, it shall be considered to have derived from being on the job which would ensure that they are eligible for an accidental disability pension.

“Assemblywoman Pheffer Amato’s commitment to firefighters goes above and beyond. The FDNY has a true friend in the Assemblywoman and all of us are grateful for the tireless work she puts in each and every day,” said UFA President Andrew Ansbro.

“Assemblywoman Pheffer Amato is an amazing partner who continues to deliver beneficial results to the members of the FDNY. All of us thank her for her ongoing commitment to honor the work of all NYC firefighters.We cannot eliminate the exposure that firefighters face, but the protection which these presumptive bills offer give the members a certain piece of mind, assuring that their families will be protected if they are faced with a cancer diagnosis. Stacey’s continued work has offered that piece of mind,” said UFOA President and FDNY Deputy Chief Jim Brosi.

The Assemblywoman was also responsible for passing a bill that guarantees health insurance coverage for surviving spouses or domestic partners of deceased members of the FDNY, A.7414.