Over the past decade, an emerging body of scientific evidence has shown that the hazards of firefighting go well beyond immediate physical injuries. Due to frequent exposure to fumes and the chemical composition of anti-fire gear, firefighters face an increased risk of over a dozen types of cancer.
Fortunately, some states are taking proactive steps to address this. In June 2025, the Louisiana House of Representatives passed Act 554. This bill mandates municipalities to cover the cost of cancer screening for all active firefighters. Hopefully, this will allow hundreds of cases to be detected earlier. These early detections could lead to more successful treatments.
Why Act 554 Matters
According to the American Cancer Society, cancer is a significant occupational hazard: the profession endures much higher rates of skin, kidney, prostate, colorectal, and thyroid cancers than the general population.
Over the past few years, many firefighter organizations have fought for enhanced health and safety protections for firefighters after being diagnosed with cancer. But until now, all these advances have only kicked in once a diagnosis has already occurred. The cost of regular screenings fell on firefighters themselves or was left up to each department’s specific coverage plan.
In times of financial strain, screening appointments and optional tests often take a back seat, which often allows cancer to advance and spread. By ensuring screenings are free across the state, Act 554 removes a key financial barrier to preventive care. For each early-detected case it enables, it increases someone’s chances of survival and reduces the total cost of their treatment.
A National Model in the Making
The Louisiana bill comes on the shoulders of a series of presumptive coverage laws, which help firefighters get their due benefits whenever they receive a cancer diagnosis. These prior laws have solidified public awareness of cancer among firefighters.
Act 554 takes things a step further, and it is one of the first laws to bring this awareness into the prevention territory. The International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF), which has long advocated for better data-gathering on cancer among firefighters, hopes that this law will bring momentum for similar legislation at the federal level. We hope to see many similar acts in other states.
Reactions from the Fire Service Community
Union leaders and individual firefighters alike have celebrated Act 554, pointing out that it is an unequivocal health and safety win.
According to Jake Morgan, the president of the Baton Rouge Firefighter Association, likely summarized it best: “Cancer is the number one killer of us, so let’s do something proactive. Let’s not just wait until our members are diagnosed [..] Cost-wise, if you can catch it early, it decreases the cost of treatment.”
For Us, Act 554 is Worth Cheering For
The Firefighters and EMS Fund’s main issue is to promote proactive policies that protect firefighters, emergency technicians, and ambulance workers both during and after an emergency call. Therefore, we celebrate any initiative that puts firefighters’ lives first.
This bill will ensure that immediate financial concerns will not get in the way of a potentially life-saving diagnosis. This is especially important when it comes to cancer, which has shown itself to be an urgent and widespread danger for firefighters.
Hopefully, Louisiana’s example will become the gold standard for healthcare coverage across the nation. Similarly, Texas has taken legislative steps to improve emergency response and equipment coordination after the 2024 wildfires, showing a growing national trend toward proactive preparedness.
One thing is certain: whenever a similar bill comes to the polls, we will be there supporting it.
