Firefighter Cancer Registry bill gains momentum in Washington

The Firefighter Cancer Registry Bill has passed the United States Senate.

The law would authorize federal funding to gather data about possible cancer risk factors for firefighters in order to better improve equipment and procedures.

A 2015 study by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health found firefighters had a greater number of cancer diagnoses and related deaths than the general population.

"These brave men and women put their lives in danger to keep their communities and neighbors safe, and we have a commitment to do everything we can to keep them safe and healthy in return," said Congressman Chris Collins, a co-author of the bill.

Participation in the registry would be completely voluntary. The data collected would include status of the firefighters, number of years on the job, number of incidents attended and type of incidence.