Congresswoman Pou Leads 83 House Members in Fight Against Firefighter Cancer

WASHINGTON, DC – Congresswoman Nellie Pou (D-NJ-09) is leading 83 House Democrats and Republicans demanding fresh funding of $7.344 million for the National Firefighter Cancer Registry.

“We urge you to consider the safety of our brave firefighters across the nation as you formulate the FY26 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations bill by including $7.344 million in funding for the National Firefighter Registry for Cancer. Thank you for your attention to and consideration of this request,” the members wrote House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Chairman Robert Aderholt (R-AL-04) and Ranking Member Rosa DeLauro (D-CT-03).

Congress created the National Firefighter Registry in 2018. In April 2023, the registry officially opened. Since then, more than 22,000 firefighters have voluntarily signed up. The registry is the largest effort in our nation’s history to understand and reduce cancer among firefighters.

Outside groups and leaders are in support of Congresswoman Pou’s funding request.

“The Congressional Fire Services Institute strongly supports the National Firefighter Registry (NFR) – a critical initiative dedicated to protecting the health and well-being of our nation’s firefighters,” said Bill Webb, Executive Director of the Congressional Fire Services Institute. “By collecting and analyzing essential data on cancer among firefighters, the NFR will deliver invaluable insights that can shape prevention strategies, enhance protective measures, and ultimately save lives. This is an investment in knowledge that supports the long-term safety of the fire service.”  

“Cancer is the leading cause of death for our nation’s firefighters,” said Fire Chief Josh Waldo, the President and Board Chair of the International Association of Fire Chiefs. “The National Firefighter Registry for Cancer plays an important role in fostering the research to prevent these tragic deaths. I applaud our friends in Congress for requesting increased funding for this critical program.”

In 2015, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health found that firefighters are nine percent more likely to develop cancer and 14 percent more likely to die from cancer relative to the general population. Cancer is now the leading cause of death for firefighters.

The text of the members’ letter is below.

Dear Chairman Aderholt and Ranking Member DeLauro:

As you consider the Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations bill, we urge you to provide $7.344 million in funding for the National Firefighter Registry for Cancer.

The National Firefighter Registry is a vital resource in understanding and preventing the growing occurrence of cancer among our nation’s firefighters. In 2015, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) published a multi-year study which found that firefighters are nine percent more likely to develop cancer and 14 percent more likely to die from cancer relative to the general population. Cancer is now the leading cause of death for firefighters.

When someone is diagnosed with cancer, information about their cancer is reported to the cancer registry in their state. However, specific details about their work are not taken into account. By collecting occupational information, the National Firefighter Registry allows researchers to better understand cancer and its risk factors in the fire service.

Congress created the National Firefighter Registry in 2018. In April 2023, the registry officially opened. Since then, more than 22,000 firefighters have voluntarily signed up. This is the largest effort in our nation’s history to understand and reduce cancer among firefighters.

Based on current CDC projections, providing $7.344 million in funding for the National Firefighter Registry in FY26 is necessary to increase the number of registrations and begin to link participants to state cancer registries.

We urge you to consider the safety of our brave firefighters across the nation as you formulate the FY26 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations bill by including $7.344 million in funding for the National Firefighter Registry for Cancer. Thank you for your attention to and consideration of this request.

Sincerely,

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