FIRE Cancer Act of 2025
FIRE Cancer Act of 2025
Plain Language Summary
# FIRE Cancer Act of 2025 Summary **What It Does:** This bill would expand a federal grant program that currently helps fire departments buy equipment and supplies to also cover cancer prevention programs for firefighters. Specifically, it would allow funding for early cancer detection testing and screening programs. The bill also creates a research partnership between FEMA and the CDC where firefighters can voluntarily share their cancer screening results (with personal information removed) so researchers can study cancer patterns and causes among firefighting personnel. **Who It Affects:** The bill targets firefighters and emergency medical services workers, recognizing that these first responders face elevated cancer risks due to occupational exposure to hazardous materials and smoke.
Fire departments and emergency services organizations would be eligible to apply for federal funding to implement these cancer prevention and screening programs. **Current Status:** The bill (HR 1610) was introduced by Representative Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ) in the 119th Congress and is currently under committee review. It has not yet been voted on by the full House.
CRS Official Summary
Firefighter Investments to Recognize Exposure to Cancer Act of 2025 or the FIRE Cancer Act of 2025This bill expands the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA's) Assistance to Firefighters Grant program for fire departments and emergency medical services organizations to include cancer prevention programs (e.g., multi-cancer early detection testing) for firefighting personnel. It also establishes a joint cancer research program between FEMA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) through which firefighting personnel may voluntarily share the anonymized results of preventative cancer testing so the CDC can study trends or causes of cancer in such personnel.
Latest Action
Referred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.