Hanna visits Norwich to tout Firefighter Cancer Registry proposal
Shawn Magrath Photo
NORWICH – Republican Congressman Richard Hanna was in Norwich on Wednesday to peddle proposed legislation that would create a national registry of firefighters who are diagnosed with cancer.
Hanna, joined by Norwich Mayor Christine Carnrike and Norwich Fire Chief Tracy Chawgo, called on U.S. representatives to approve the National Firefighter Cancer Registry which would establish a specialized cancer registry managed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Because firefighters are exposed to a range of harmful toxins that make them more susceptible to major cancers – including stomach, testicular, multiple myeloma and brain cancers – Hanna said they would benefit from a nationwide database that improves monitoring of cancer incidences among career and volunteer firefighters.
“Our firefighters put their lives on the line every day to help our communities during times of emergency,” Hanna said. “We need a broader understanding of the trends associated with why, how and when our firefighters are contracting this life threatening disease. Establishing a national cancer registry is the first step to building a database where health experts can study the factors associated with cancer diagnoses in the firefighting community.”
Many states already have a similar registry; but having a national registry would expand vital information to every firefighter across the country. It would provide guidance to states and clinicians, improve collection capabilities, and centralize data to improve the monitoring of cancer incidences.
“We know that there’s about 85,000 new chemicals in the last 50 years that are in a lot of homes and buildings that people aren’t aware of, and we know that a lot of them are carcinogenic,” Hanna said. “This bill will allow us to develop protocol, methods and means to help protect [firefighters] going forward. We’re hoping it will save lives by preventing cancers, and frankly it will help them find better medical care.”
The estimated $2.5 million initiative has gained a lot of traction in Washington since Hanna first introduced it in February. More than 100 members of Congress have cosponsored the bill. What’s more, the Congressional Fire Services Caucus – one of the largest caucuses in Congress – is in favor, and the bill’s gained endorsement from nearly every major fire union in the U.S.
“Every day, you see the line of duty death notifications of firefighters that died from around the country,” said NFD Chief Chawgo. “This will certainly help be able to better track some of the things that cause that.”
Hanna said hopes are to push for a Congressional vote on the legislation in September.
NORWICH – Republican Congressman Richard Hanna was in Norwich on Wednesday to peddle proposed legislation that would create a national registry of firefighters who are diagnosed with cancer.
Hanna, joined by Norwich Mayor Christine Carnrike and Norwich Fire Chief Tracy Chawgo, called on U.S. representatives to approve the National Firefighter Cancer Registry which would establish a specialized cancer registry managed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Because firefighters are exposed to a range of harmful toxins that make them more susceptible to major cancers – including stomach, testicular, multiple myeloma and brain cancers – Hanna said they would benefit from a nationwide database that improves monitoring of cancer incidences among career and volunteer firefighters.
“Our firefighters put their lives on the line every day to help our communities during times of emergency,” Hanna said. “We need a broader understanding of the trends associated with why, how and when our firefighters are contracting this life threatening disease. Establishing a national cancer registry is the first step to building a database where health experts can study the factors associated with cancer diagnoses in the firefighting community.”
Many states already have a similar registry; but having a national registry would expand vital information to every firefighter across the country. It would provide guidance to states and clinicians, improve collection capabilities, and centralize data to improve the monitoring of cancer incidences.
“We know that there’s about 85,000 new chemicals in the last 50 years that are in a lot of homes and buildings that people aren’t aware of, and we know that a lot of them are carcinogenic,” Hanna said. “This bill will allow us to develop protocol, methods and means to help protect [firefighters] going forward. We’re hoping it will save lives by preventing cancers, and frankly it will help them find better medical care.”
The estimated $2.5 million initiative has gained a lot of traction in Washington since Hanna first introduced it in February. More than 100 members of Congress have cosponsored the bill. What’s more, the Congressional Fire Services Caucus – one of the largest caucuses in Congress – is in favor, and the bill’s gained endorsement from nearly every major fire union in the U.S.
“Every day, you see the line of duty death notifications of firefighters that died from around the country,” said NFD Chief Chawgo. “This will certainly help be able to better track some of the things that cause that.”
Hanna said hopes are to push for a Congressional vote on the legislation in September.
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