Precautions to protect vulnerable volunteer firefighters from COVID-19 could lessen some retirement benefits for those going on fewer calls during the pandemic, according to fire officials. Some fire departments are asking older volunteers or those with underlying health conditions — those most likely to suffer serious medical problems or death from the coronavirus — to stay home. Volunteers are required under state law to go on a minimum number of calls to earn retirement benefits in a given year. “We don’t want anyone to be penalized because we have a virus that’s attacking our elderly,” said Commack Fire District chairman Patrick Fazio. Fazio said the Commack fire department chief and the board of commissioners have put firehouses on standby to limit the number of volunteers on duty at any given time as part of social distancing.