Firefighter Cancer Awareness Month: Take Actions to Reduce Risks and Protect Firefighters

January 7, 2025

A recent article and podcast from NPR station WHYY highlighted the cancer risks firefighters face. The good news is that there are specific actions that can lower these risks and protect responders. January is Firefighter Cancer Awareness Month, and now is a great time to take steps in your department to make positive changes to reduce risks. Use these resources to help.

Webinar: Actions Firefighters Can Take to Reduce Cancer Risks
Register for this January 16 NVFC webinar, sponsored by Ward Diesel Filter Systems, to learn about actions firefighters and departments can take to reduce occupational cancer risks.

Lavender Ribbon Reports
Read the Lavender Ribbon Report and Lavender Ribbon Report Update to learn 11 specific actions for lowering exposure risks to protect from cancer. Implement these practices into your department’s standard operating procedures.

Videos on Firefighter Cancer Risk Reduction
The NVFC has developed a series of short videos – including newly released survivor stories – to help motivate responders to take action to prevent firefighter cancer. Share these videos with your crew.

Training on Firefighter Cancer Risk Reduction
The NVFC Virtual Classroom contains courses and webinars to help you learn about the risks of occupational cancer and take action to reduce these risks.

National Firefighter Registry for Cancer (NFR)
Sign up for the NFR to help researchers better understand and prevent cancer among firefighters. All firefighters are encouraged to join the registry, career and volunteer, with and without a cancer diagnosis.

Firefighter Cancer Support Network (FCSN)
FCSN provides resources and tools for Firefighter Cancer Awareness Month.