Volunteer firefighters battling certain kinds of cancer will now be getting health care benefits in New York State.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed the legislation Sunday.

The program goes into effect January 1.

Firefighters diagnosed with a range of cancers will be eligible to receive tax-free disability and death benefits as long as they have served five years and were active within the last five years.

This is the latest piece of legislation Cuomo has signed to benefit first responders, including signing expanded benefits for crews who responded to the 9/11 terror attack.

In a statement, Cuomo said in part: "New York is forever grateful to the 96,000 volunteer firefighters who selflessly put their own personal safety at risk in order to keep their neighbors and communities safe.

"With this measure, we will provide these courageous New Yorkers the protections they need and the peace of mind they deserve."