The FIRE Cancer Act of 2025 would establish cancer prevention programs for firefighters, including early detection testing, and allocate funding for grants and a voluntary data sharing program to identify cancer trends.
Josh Gottheimer
Representative
NJ-5
The FIRE Cancer Act of 2025 aims to improve cancer prevention among firefighters by establishing cancer prevention programs, including early detection testing. It allocates $700 million in grants for these programs. The bill also directs FEMA and the CDC to create a voluntary program for firefighters to share anonymized screening results to identify cancer trends and causes.
FIRE Cancer Act Greenlights $700M for Firefighter Cancer Prevention and Early Detection
The Firefighter Investments to Recognize Exposure to Cancer (FIRE) Cancer Act of 2025 aims to tackle the high rates of cancer among firefighters. This bill sets up concrete measures for cancer prevention, specifically targeting early detection and data collection to better understand this occupational hazard.
Prevention in Action
The core of the FIRE Cancer Act is the establishment of cancer prevention programs specifically designed for firefighters. This includes funding multi-cancer early detection tests or other preventative measures. Crucially, the bill caps the use of grant funds at $1,750 per test. This is a direct response to the elevated cancer risks firefighters face due to their work environments, as outlined in SEC. 2.
For instance, a firefighter who regularly responds to chemical fires could utilize these funds for early screening, potentially catching any developing issues much sooner than would otherwise be possible. This proactive approach is a significant step forward in protecting those who protect our communities.
Data-Driven Insights
Beyond immediate prevention, the bill also looks to the future. FEMA and the CDC are tasked with creating a voluntary program where firefighters can share anonymized results from their cancer screenings. This is about building a comprehensive dataset to help identify trends and underlying causes of cancer within the firefighting profession [SEC. 2].
Imagine a scenario where this data reveals a higher incidence of a specific cancer type among firefighters who worked at a particular site or used a certain type of equipment. Such insights could lead to targeted interventions and preventative strategies, improving long-term health outcomes. The data sharing is voluntary.
Funding the Fight
To make all this happen, the FIRE Cancer Act authorizes a hefty $700,000,000 in grant funding for these cancer prevention programs [SEC. 2]. This level of financial commitment signals a serious intent to address a critical health issue facing firefighters. While the funding is substantial, the $1,750 cap per test will require careful management to ensure resources are used effectively and reach as many firefighters as possible.