Uniformed Fire Officers Assocation

May 26 , 2005
854 PASS ALONG BULLETIN
#11 of 2005

The World Trade Center presumptive bill has passed both houses of the State Legislature and will be sent to the Governor on June 3 rd . The Governor has vetoed this legislation twice, at the urging of Mayor Bloomberg. The bill is significant protection against future health related problems, and the UFOA Executive Board strongly recommends that you or a family member send an e-mail message to the Governor at www.state.ny.us/governor/ and go to Contact the Governor or fax at 518-474-1513.

The following is a suggested e-mail:

Dear Governor Pataki,

Please sign Assembly 6281 and Senate 3659, legislation that protects me and my family against future health problems caused by my duties at the World Trade Center site. We answered the call from the city, the state and the nation. All we ask is protection against whatever illness awaits us.

Governor, the Bloomberg administration seriously overestimates the cost of this legislation. As but one example, the City Actuary calculates that 100% of the FDNY may be eligible for the benefits provided in the bill. The City Actuary knows full well that thousands of NYC firefighters who responded to Ground Zero have either already retired on Accidental Disabilities, or will do so in the near future. None of those retirees will be in the pool of responders eligible for the benefits of the legislation. And we all pray the number of those who actually do suffer covered diseases or illnesses in the future will be minimal. The city's fiscal note that calculates the cost based on 100% of the FDNY is simply not credible, and appears to reflect a desire by the Mayor to abandon first responders to whatever their fate.

Sincerely,
Your name
Rank
FDNY

Fraternally,

Peter Gorman

Publications Committee: President
S. Carbone; J. Dunne; A. Parrinello

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