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Legislative bills

Firefighter Cancer Registry Reauthorization Bill Introduced in House and Senate

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

The Firefighter Cancer Registry Act, introduced by Congressman Bill Pascrell Jr. (D-NJ), Congressmen Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Steny Hoyer (D-MD), and Mike Bost (R-IL), aims to reauthorize the Firefighter Cancer Registry and increase funding to $5.5 million through 2028. The registry, created in 2018, monitors and studies the relationship between career-long exposure to dangerous fumes and toxins and the incidence of cancer in firefighters.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Firefighter Cancer Registry Act aims to reauthorize the registry and increase funding to $5.5 million through 2028.
  • The registry, created in 2018, monitors and studies the relationship between career-long exposure to dangerous fumes and toxins and the incidence of cancer in firefighters.
  • The bill requires the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to compile data on the relationship between fume-exposure and cancer risks.
  • Every day, thousands of firefighters suit up and put their lives on the line to keep communities safe.
  • Cancer is now the leading cause of death among firefighters, accounting for 74% of line of duty deaths according to the International Association of Fire Fighters.
  • Firefighters face an increased risk of cancer due to hazardous job exposures, which expose them to toxic chemicals.
  • The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) study found that firefighters are 9% more likely to develop cancer and 14% more likely to die from cancer relative to the general population.
  • The House Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee is scheduled to hold a hearing on the bill later this week.
  • Companion legislation will be introduced in the Senate by U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ).
  • The legislation ensures long-term funding for the Firefighter Cancer Registry and ensures the CDC has the resources they need to maintain this vital registry.

Statistics:

  • 6,000 members of the NJ FMBA celebrated when the Firefighter Cancer Registry Act was signed into law in 2018.
  • Cancer accounted for 74% of line of duty deaths among firefighters last year, according to the International Association of Fire Fighters.
  • Firefighters are 9% more likely to develop cancer and 14% more likely to die from cancer relative to the general population, according to a NIOSH study.
  • In 2015, NIOSH published a multi-year study on the relationship between firefighting and cancer.
  • The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) manages the Firefighter Cancer Registry.
  • The PSOB program provides a one-time federal death and disability benefit payment of $422,035 to first responders who die or are permanently disabled in the line of duty.

Sources:

  • Rep. Bill Pascrell Jr., D-N.J. (8th CD)
  • Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA-01)
  • Steny Hoyer (D-MD-05)
  • Mike Bost (R-IL-12)
  • U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ)
  • International Association of Fire Fighters
  • International Association of Fire Chiefs
  • National Volunteer Fire Council
  • Congressional Fire Services Institute
  • HT Media Ltd.

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