Work, Pay & Leave Rights · Surprise rank #286
Volunteer Firefighters Injured on Duty Get Cash and Medical Benefits
Volunteer Firefighters' Benefit Law (VFBL)
Who
Volunteer firefighters with a qualifying line-of-duty injury or illness.
What to do
Start here: Notify the fire company promptly and use the Workers' Compensation Board's volunteer-firefighter claim forms and guidance.
Eligibility: The injury or illness must be connected to line-of-duty service; the responsible fire company and political subdivision affect the claim.
What you get
The Volunteer Firefighters' Benefit Law provides cash benefits and/or medical care when a volunteer firefighter is injured or becomes ill in the line of duty.
Benefit: Medical care and possible cash benefits.
Possible value: Weekly cash benefits depend on the disability and loss of wage-earning capacity.
Good to know
Important: Benefits are claim-based and fact-specific; this is not ordinary workers' compensation for any volunteer activity.
Availability: Current New York law.
Why people miss it: Volunteer responders may assume they have no protection because they are not paid employees.
Sources reviewed: Aug 10, 2026