Invitation to Participate

NFR

National
Firefighter
Registry

TO BETTER UNDERSTAND AND PREVENT CANCER IN FIREFIGHTERS

Reducing occupational cancer among firefighters is the long-term
goal of the National Firefighter Registry (NFR). Achieving that goal
is perhaps the most important step that can be taken to protect the
health and safety of firefighters.

Numerous studies show that firefighters’ exposure to smoke and
other chemical products released from burning materials increases
their risk of disease and mortality, including cancer. However, more
information about these health risks is needed.

Our goal is to better
understand the link
between workplace
exposures and cancer
among firefighters.

The NFR is a groundbreaking surveillance program developed by the National Institute for Occupational
Safety and Health (NIOSH) with guidance from the scientific and firefighting community to address the
growing health crisis of cancer in the fire service. It will provide critical information needed to better
understand the link between on-the-job exposure to toxicants and cancer so communities can better
protect the health of firefighters.

Essential Cancer Surveillance

The objective of the NFR is to become the world’s largest database of health and occupational
information for firefighters. This database will track and analyze the incidence of cancer and provide
critical information for the public safety community, researchers, scientists and medical professionals to
find better ways to protect firefighters and other first responders.
With broad participation from firefighters around the nation, the NFR will go a long way toward
answering many questions regarding firefighters' exposures and cancer and lay the groundwork to help
prevent these cancers in the future. The NFR will:
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Track cancer incidence (including rare types of cancer) among the full range of firefighters
throughout the U.S.
Explore cancer risks among specific groups of firefighters, including women, minorities, and subspecialties of the fire service.
Investigate whether the cancer risk is higher or lower among more recent firefighters.
Evaluate how exposures, including large or unusual incidents, relate to firefighters’ cancer risk.
Evaluate how control interventions relate to firefighters’ cancer risk.

Contact Us: NFRegistry@cdc.gov
www.cdc.gov/niosh/firefighters/registry.html

Firefighter Participation is Crucial
Participation in the NFR is voluntary. But all firefighters—
career and volunteer, active and retired, those who have had or
currently have cancer and those who have never received the
diagnosis—should take part. For the NFR to contribute to
reducing cancer, the database must be large and encompass
the full array of different types of firefighters.

Firefighters do not need
to have cancer or any
other health condition to
participate in the NFR.

By providing information about their own health and work experiences, firefighters will play a critical
role in helping to understand more about the health risks the profession faces.

Working closely with stakeholders and health experts, NIOSH, a part of the Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention (CDC), is taking the lead on managing the NFR.

How Can I Enroll?

Please visit our website https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/firefighters/registry.html to learn more about the NFR,
including frequently asked questions (FAQs). To enroll, follow the link on our website, which will take
you to a secure web portal. The web portal will walk you through the registration process, which is
expected to take 30 minutes or less.

What else should I know about the NFR?
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The NFR came about through legislation (Firefighter Cancer Registry Act of 2018).
The NFR is completely voluntary, and no one can force a firefighter to join.
After you register, NIOSH will have the necessary information to link you (and your profession) to
any current or future cancer diagnoses that are systematically documented in state databases of
cancer. These databases often do not include occupation, which is an important gap that the NFR
will fill. You will not need to report your health condition to NIOSH.
NIOSH will protect your personal information according to strict Federal privacy laws. Any
information that identifies you will not be shared with any outside organizations, including fire
departments, unions, or other researchers without your permission.
Results will be summarized and shared broadly with the fire service and the public health
community.

Where can I get more information?
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Website: https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/firefighters/registry.html
Email: NFRegistry@cdc.gov

Contact Us: NFRegistry@cdc.gov
www.cdc.gov/niosh/firefighters/registry.htlml