Thousands of volunteer firefighters statewide will receive benefits in the new year if they're diagnosed with cancer.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed the bill earlier this year. It will offer tax-free disability and death benefits to firefighters with five years of service if they contract certain types of cancers.

The goal is to offer financial support to the 96,000 volunteer firefighters across the state who are routinely subjected to carcinogens while they work.

Tom McDonough, the vice chairman of the Firemen's Association of the State of New York, says the new law is a step toward making benefits for career and volunteer firefighters equal.

"Day in and day out, we're exposed to the same carcinogenics than they are, and we were never covered. Now, we have partial coverage…there is still work to be done."

The law goes into effect Jan. 1.