Support Expanded Research for Our Nation's Firefighters

Studies consistently demonstrate a strong link between firefighting and an increased risk for several major cancers. By one estimate, roughly 60 percent of career firefighter line-of-duty deaths can be attributed to cancer. A groundbreaking study conducted by the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) similarly found that firefighters were at an increased risk of contracting cancer, but identified the need for more research to probe this connection.

Unfortunately, these studies are limited by incomplete data and relatively small sample sizes. For example, the NIOSH study's findings were limited because of an under representation of women, minorities, and volunteer firefighters, a trend that is common in many recent studies. This lack of data limits the ability of public health researchers to fully examine the broader epidemiological cancer trends among firefighters and develop new and potentially life-saving safety protocols.

To address this problem, Representatives Hanna and Pascrell introduced H.R. 4625, the Firefighter Cancer Registry Act of 2016 (Senate companion S.2799). This bill, which is supported strongly by all of the major national firefighting groups, would establish a specialized national cancer registry. This registry would provide guidance to states and clinicians, standardize collection activities and improve collection capabilities, and centralize key data to enhance the monitoring of cancer incidence among firefighters. As it grows, this registry will serve as a vital tool for researchers, improve our understanding of cancer incidence, and potentially lead to the development of new protocols and safeguards for firefighters to prevent this tragic disease.

Firefighter Cancer Registry Act in the News

USA Today: "Bill would help track cancer cases among firefighters"

Roll Call: "Firefighters Ask Congress to Assist with Cancer Research" 

Syracuse Post Standard: "Rep. Richard Hanna wants Congress to establish cancer registry for firefighters"

CBS New York: "NJ Lawmakers Unveil Bill Protecting Firefighter Health"

Courier-Post: "Bill would monitor firefighters' cancer"

The Bergen Dispatch: "Pascrell, Menendez Unveil Legislation to Research Cancer Among Firefighters"

AM1450 KMMS: "Tester Introduces Bill to Increase Health and Safety of Montana Firefighters"

12 WBGN: "Legislation Submitted to track frequency of cancer to firefighters"

Supporting Organizations

This legislation is supported by all of the major national firefighting associations and organizations, including the International Association of Fire Fighters, the National Volunteer Fire Council, and the International Association of Fire Chiefs.  

A complete list of supporting organizations is below: 

The International Association of Fire Fighters
The National Volunteer Fire Council
The International Association of Fire Chiefs
The New York State Association of Fire Chiefs
The Congressional Fire Services Institute
The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation
The International Fire Services Training Association
The International Association of Arson Investigators
The Metropolitan Fire Chiefs Association
The Iowa Firefighters Association
The Kentucky Firefighters Association
The Minnesota State Fire Department Association
The Oregon State Fire Fighters Council
The Georgia Association of Fire Chiefs
The Georgia State Firefighters Association
The Missouri State Council of Fire Fighters
The Federated Fire Fighters of Wyoming
The North Carolina State Firefighters' Association
The Washington State Fire Fighters' Association
The Ohio Fire Chief's Association

Harold A. Schaitberger, General President, International Association of Fire Fighters said, “Cancer is the No. 1 health concern in the firefighting profession today, and scientific data clearly demonstrate the association between firefighting and cancer. The registry created through this legislation in the House and Senate will improve research on this link to better protect firefighters’ health.”

Rhoda Mae Kerr, President, International Association of Fire Chiefs said, "This legislation will create an important resource for researchers looking to understand and prevent the growing occurrence of cancer among our nation’s firefighters."

Kevin D. Quinn, Chairman, National Volunteer Fire Council, "We need to get to the bottom of why and how firefighters are contracting cancer so that we can do a better job of preventing, detecting, and treating it."