President Donald Trump signed a law on Monday to help figure out why so many firefighters are facing cancer. With this new law, the Firefighter Cancer Registry Act, the federal government will track the number of firefighters diagnosed with the deadly disease.
Two years ago, a News 5 exclusive investigation revealed firefighters face an increased risk of cancer. That report led to a change in state law, giving firefighters battling the disease more benefits.
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Now, the Centers for Disease Control will be required to create a voluntary registry of firefighters with cancer with the hope that it will help researchers better understand how fighting fires increases the risk of having the disease.
The registry could also lead to new safety protocols and prevention measures to keep firefighters safer.
