Firefighter Cancer
The cancer resource page features news, information, videos, podcasts and feature articles about this massive health issue facing the fire service.
Dr. John Howard has yet to be reinstated as head of the WTC Health Program, as many staff remain without jobs—“a shell game,” says FDNY Chief Medical Officer Dr. David Prezant
IAFF President Ed Kelly says talks with HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. have heightened attention on saving some firefighter health and safety programs
Gov. Josh Shapiro released a three-part plan to help firefighters that included a $30M grant program for equipment and recruitment
With wildfires growing more frequent and toxic exposure a deadly risk, the Honoring Our Fallen Heroes Act aims to support firefighters facing heightened cancer rates
Free cancer screening in response to recent legislation will help detect cancer in approximately 900 firefighters every two years
The Health and Human Services Department has decided not to terminate Dr. John Howard amid plans to lay off two-thirds of NIOSH staff, preserving leadership of the World Trade Center Health Program
Republicans and Democrats sounded the alarm over Kennedy’s plan to gut NIOSH, warning it could cripple the 9/11 health program that thousands of first responders and survivors rely on
Vital firefighter-focused programs are coming to a screeching halt as a result of the recent NIOSH layoffs, undoing thousands of hours of work by dedicated researchers
The Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation and Prevention Program and the WTC Health Program are also casualties in this latest government program reduction in force
Thousands of first responders and survivors rely on the WTC Health Program to get treatment related to injuries and illnesses caused by the toxins at Ground Zero
Access to the NFR has been disrupted following federal layoffs, prompting questions about the future of the firefighter cancer-focused research program
NIOSH faces layoffs of staff working on firefighter safety initiatives like the National Firefighter Registry for Cancer and line-of-duty death investigations
Firefighters who battled the Palisades and Eaton wildfires show significantly elevated levels of lead and mercury in their blood, according to a new multi-university study
After battling cancer and enduring costly treatments, Westport Firefighter Paul Spennato advocates for early detection to protect his fellow firefighters
Fire service leaders must focus on data, not emotion, when make their case for funding, staffing and more
Free screenings would begin in a firefighter’s fifth year of employment, but concerns remain over funding, as the legislation lacks state financial support
The longtime volunteer, safety and health advocate underscores the power of showing your members you care
After securing workers’ compensation for breast, cervical and other cancers linked to hazardous exposures, firefighters fear the Trump administration may roll back protections by removing coverage details
Madison firefighters have been working out of cramped firehouse built in 1923
San Francisco’s new chief is a longtime SFFD veteran and constant cheerleader for the city
The fund supports 137,000 people affected by toxic exposure from the attacks at the World Trade Center, as well as the plane crashes in Pennsylvania and at the Pentagon
The Kern County Fire Department will use the money to reduce exposure to cancer-causing materials and to support the department’s critical incident stress management program
Boulder’s new Station 3 was designed to separate toxins from living quarters and honor fallen firefighters
Federal regulations enacted last year focused on drinking water, products containing PFAS and firefighting foam
Some chemicals are linked to heart disease and reduced lung function, while inhaling toxic forms of arsenic, chromium, and benzene may cause other health issues
Highlighting the agency’s work, from the NERIS launch to international engagement
We tout our cancer prevention measures but then take turnout gear into schools, place weight rooms in engine bays and puff on cigars outside the station
City attorneys are trying to have a FOIA case dismissed as survivors and victims’ families demand that air quality studies be released
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- National Firefighter Registry for Cancer goes offline following NIOSH layoffs
- Legislators launch bipartisan effort to save 9/11 health program from Trump administration cuts
- The Firefighter Cancer Registry: Is it waste, fraud or abuse? I’m listening.
- When talking about reducing cancer in firefighters, where is CAFS?
- Calif. legislators back bill banning PFAS from firefighting gear