It appears that the team that investigates firefighter line-of-duty deaths may be revived.
Just weeks ago, NIOSH investigators were fired by President Donald Trump as he continues to eliminate federal agencies.
On Sunday, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. praised firefighters for their courage. His statement on X (formerly Twitter) also said health and safety programs are a priority.
Since 1998, NIOSH officials have conducted in-depth probes of firefighter line-of-duty deaths. Following interviews, reviews of policies and procedures as well as an examination of the incident scene, they issue a report that includes contributing factors as well as recommendations about how to prevent another fatality.
NIOSH officials also handle the National Firefighter Cancer Registry.
The website was shut down in February when NIOSH workers were initially fired.
In late December, President Joe Biden not only reauthorized the program but boosted its funding.
However, the future of that program also is uncertain.
Susan Nicol | News Editor
Susan Nicol is the news editor for Firehouse.com. She is a life member and active with the Brunswick Volunteer Ambulance & Rescue Company, Oxford Fire Company and Brunswick Vol. Fire Co. Susie has been an EMT in Maryland since 1976. Susie is vice-president of the Frederick County Fire/Rescue Museum. She is on the executive committee of Frederick County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association. She also is part of the Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems (MIEMSS) Region II EMS Council. Susie is a board member of the American Trauma Society, Maryland Division. Prior to joining the Firehouse team, she was a staff writer for The Frederick News-Post, covering fire, law enforcement, court and legislative issues.
