Gottheimer introduces bipartisan bill to expand no-cost cancer screenings for firefighters
NEW JERSEY – U.S. Rep. Josh Gottheimer on Friday announced bipartisan legislation aimed at expanding access to no-cost cancer screenings for firefighters nationwide, citing elevated cancer risks among those in the profession.
Standing with New Jersey firefighters, local leaders and state officials, Gottheimer unveiled the Firefighter Investments to Recognize Exposure to Cancer Act, or FIRE Cancer Act, which would broaden how federal grant funding can be used to support cancer prevention and early detection.
The bill would expand the federal Assistance to Firefighters Grant program to allow local departments to use funds specifically for cancer prevention initiatives and multi-cancer early detection testing. It would also support screenings for cancers, including cardiopulmonary evaluations, blood testing and ultrasounds.
In addition, the legislation would create a joint research program between the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, allowing firefighters to voluntarily share anonymized testing data to study cancer trends and potential causes within the profession. The bill also encourages mobile and on-site screening access to make testing more accessible.
Firefighters face a 14% higher risk of dying from cancer than the general public, largely due to repeated exposure to toxic chemicals released from burning plastics, electronics, furniture and other materials, according to advocates.
“In 2025, 80 percent of professional firefighter line-of-duty deaths were caused by cancer. Not burns. Not collapsing buildings. Cancer,” said Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5), a member of the Congressional Fire Services Caucus. “That’s the five-alarm fire that doesn’t make the evening news. This legislation says loud and clear: if you run into burning buildings for us, we will run through walls for you.”
“We’ve identified more than 10 of our members with cancer. Many, many in the early stages. Because if it’s caught in stage one or two instead of three and four, those firefighters have a fighting chance,” said PFANJ President Matthew Caliente. “That’s not a statistic, that’s fathers, mothers, sons, and daughters getting more time with their family.”
“I am honored to stand beside Congressman Josh Gottheimer as he, once again, advocates for professional firefighters to have access to free pre-cancer screenings nationally. I have heard firsthand of the success of this policy here in New Jersey as I have heard from countless firefighters throughout our state who have described how this policy saved their lives. Early detection of cancer gives our firefighters the opportunity to have a fighting chance against this terrible disease. It gives them a chance to fight to stay with their loved ones and to continue to serve our communities. If passed, this policy will provide state governments with the resources that they need to save countless lives. I am grateful that Congressman Gottheimer has taken up the mantle for this initiative and I look forward to supporting him in whichever way I can,” said New Jersey Assemblyman Sterley Stanley (LD-18).
Gottheimer highlighted New Jersey’s existing requirement for periodic cancer screenings for professional firefighters and called for similar protections nationwide.
As a member of the Congressional Fire Services Caucus, Gottheimer has supported increased funding for federal fire grants. His office said he has helped secure more than $17 million in federal funding for North Jersey fire departments for staffing, equipment and emergency response capabilities.
He has also sponsored legislation related to benefits for families of first responders impacted by service-related cancers and supported federal funding for the World Trade Center Health Program.
