In January 2017, the New York State Senate and Assembly passed S1411B and Assembly bill A711B. Governor Cuomo quickly signed into law the New York State volunteer firefighter gap coverage cancer disability act. This law, effective January 1, 2019, mandates local municipalities to provide this benefit coverage to volunteer firefighters who meet certain criteria. 

The reporting requirements of this act are annual, ongoing and fairly extensive requiring the local municipalities to track ELIGIBILITY, STATUS and TESTING of each individual firefighter. Even if a firefighter leaves the department, the originating agency must provide reports and coverage for said firefighter for a number of years.

Our department attempted to create the required management system and reports required utilizing spreadsheets. We found that this became overly cumbersome and inaccurate. Neither did any of us really have the time to keep a watch over the ever changing requirements of the law.

CAVU Companies, an aerospace software firm, who has supported local fire departments for many years, their CEO an active firefighter, has developed a professional Windows-based application called CADET^© (short for Cancer Disability EnTitlement). For a very modest $50/year, CAVU Companies, in coordination with major insurance companies, will keep track of ongoing legal and reporting requirements ; updating the application accordingly. With everyone on the “same page”, volunteer fire departments across the state will be able to quickly and efficiently comply with the new law and preserve their already limited resources.

To try the software, go to www.CAVUcompanies.com and then to the DOWNLOADS page. CADET for Windows is the first application listed. Simply download and install the app onto a Windows PC. Windows Vista, 8 and 10 have been tested. BTW, I am not receiving any financial gain for this recommendation or endorsement.

When you start the app, the SETUP screen will appear. Enter your email in the space provided and press SAVE. The Fire Department name will remain “DEMO Fire Department” and DEMO will appear across all reports. You can add your own people into the database as that data will be preserved when you activate the application. Also on the settings page, is a section called “Email/Messaging”. This is an optional setup and is used to text message (via smartphone or email) all entered firefighters. This could be helpful for alerting members of upcoming FIT tests, etc. 

On the main page, enter dates and occurrences of Mask Fit tests, physicals and the current or latest status change of the individual. Sample firefighter data is included in the database to guide you. Once you have the hang of it, you can delete him. Since the coverage does not begin until January 1, 2019, no one will actually appear with a “GREEN Coverage & Premium in Effect” icon until after that date. If they meet all other criteria, the entitlement date will display as 1/1/2019. 

You can order online using a credit card under BUY NOW. If you prefer to be invoiced, please call CAVU to arrange. A $10 fee will be added to the bill. If you prefer to pay by check, an order form is provided with this letter.

Jim Murphy, Deputy Chief, West Winfield Fire Department