House Passes Bill to Extend National Firefighter Cancer Registry

The House of Representatives has approved legislation to extend the National Firefighter Cancer Registry for five years and increase its authorized funding.

“Every day, thousands of firefighters put their lives on the line to keep our communities safe. These brave men and women encounter countless dangers on the job, including exposure to deadly carcinogens,” said Congressman Bill Pascrell Jr., the longtime co-chair of the Congressional Fire Services Caucus. 

The measure is still awaing action in the Senate.

"I thank the House for passing the Firefighter Cancer Registry Reauthorization Act (H.R. 3821). As we learn more about the dangers of firefighting, this registry will provide important research to mitigate the risk of cancer for the men and women in the fire service. We ask the Senate to move expeditiously to pass this legislation," said Chief John S. Butler, President & Board Chair of the International Association of Fire Chiefs. 

National Volunteer Fire Council Chair Steve Hirsch said of the action: “I applaud the House of Representatives’ passage of the Firefighter Cancer Registry Reauthorization Act. Too many firefighters are contracting and dying from cancer caused by duty-related exposure. Additionally, many existing studies on firefighter cancer lack sufficient data on volunteers."

General President of the International Association of Fire Fighters Edward Kelly remarked: “The science is clear: Cancer is the greatest threat fire fighters face. But we need accurate data to help us take on this deadly disease. The National Firefighter Registry for Cancer is an invaluable tool that can help us better understand and end occupational cancer in the fire service. We must prioritize the health and safety of fire fighters, and the National Firefighter Registry for Cancer will help scientists make screening techniques, educational initiatives, and research agendas more effective."