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Harckham Bill Helping to Guarantee Health Benefits for Volunteer Firefighters Passes in Senate

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Seal of the New York State Senate

The New York State Senate unanimously passed legislation this week sponsored by State Senator Pete Harckham that will help expand health benefits for volunteer firefighters. The legislation, when approved by the Assembly and enacted by the governor, will make permanent the long-standing law covering disability determinations for volunteer firefighters due to certain lung disabilities.

“Volunteer firefighters statewide often incur major diseases and ailments in the course of protecting our residents and businesses, so we must reciprocate and safeguard the health of these brave first responders whenever possible,” said Harckham. “This bill will eliminate a sunset clause for lung care while streamlining access to much deserved health benefits.”

Volunteer firefighters provide an invaluable service to New York State and our individual communities. Accordingly, it simply makes sense to prevent unnecessary worry on the part of volunteer firefighters and their families as to whether or not they will receive their benefits.

Harckham’s bill (S.1176) regarding firefighters with lung maladies will amend a 2006 law that grants important lung health care benefits, yet needs to be renewed through legislative approval and enacted every two years. Similar health benefits for full-time firefighters, though, do not need to go through the biannual approval process—even though career and volunteer firefighters are exposed to the same risks.

The risks are, indeed, significant. Lung disabilities for firefighters exceed those experienced by the average adult population in the U.S. In the line of duty, firefighters are exposed to gases, toxins and other substances that have damaging short- and long-term effects on the respiratory system. Some of the toxic gases and respiratory tract irritants that firefighters are at risk of inhaling include sulfur dioxide, hydrogen chloride, phosgene, nitrous oxides, aldehydes and particulate matter.

The New York State Senate passed a similar bill introduced by Harckham last year, but the State Assembly did not approve the legislation. When enacted, the legislation will benefit over 80,000 volunteer firefighters and their families across New York.

“We would like to thank Senator Harckham for his hard work in getting this important piece of legislation again passed in the State Senate,” said Edward Tase, Jr., president of the Firefighters Association of the State of New York (FASNY). “New York’s volunteer firefighters are exposed to dangerous chemicals while fighting fires that may cause lasting lung damage. FASNY wholeheartedly supports this legislation, which will take this long standing benefit and make it permanent, further strengthening this critical safety net for our volunteer firefighters. We are ready to work with the Assembly and we urge them to follow suit and pass this in their house.”

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Rockland County Legislators Approve Firefighters’ Memorial, Paving Way for Long-Awaited Tribute

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This is an artist’s rendering to show what the new memorial could look like.

Rockland County legislators have unanimously approved a contract to begin construction of the long-awaited Firefighters’ Memorial, marking a major step toward honoring more than 50 local firefighters who have died in the line of duty since 1906.

The $1.9 million project, led by the Rockland County Volunteer Firefighters’ Association, will be built on the lawn of the County Courthouse in New City. It will include the new memorial, the relocation of two military memorials, and the renovation of the County Police Memorial.

“This is long overdue,” said Public Safety Committee Chairman Paul Cleary. “It’s the right thing to do to honor all who’ve made the ultimate sacrifice.”

The memorial will recognize both volunteer and paid firefighters and serve as a place of reflection for families and the community. Construction is expected to begin later this year.

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George Hoehmann Shares Update: West Nyack Road Temporarily Reopened as Project Nears Next Phase

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George Hoehmann, Clarkstown Supervisor was pleased to report that West Nyack Road officially reopened at 3:30 PM on Friday afternoon. The contractor has compacted the base and installed temporary barriers and sidewalks to allow for two-way traffic over the next six to eight weeks.

Progress This Week:

  • Continued utility and drainage work

  • Roadway preparation and temporary reopening

Looking Ahead:

  • Subcontractors for various utility companies will be installing wires within the underground conduit

  • Goal: Utility pole removal by May 15th

  • General contractor will continue drainage and infrastructure work near Western Highway

Please exercise caution when driving through the area. The road is temporarily narrower near the Eastern culvert. Once the utility poles are removed, a brief second closure will be necessary to drive the remaining piles and complete the culvert work.

In the meantime, we’re glad to have the road open again for two-way traffic and appreciate everyone’s patience and cooperation.

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