Each January, we honor Fire Fighter Cancer Awareness Month. Firefighter occupational cancer is the leading cause of line-of-duty death in the fire service. While there are certain inherent risks involved in a career as a first responder — risking your own health while using the very tools intended to keep firefighters and our communities safe should not be one of them.
It is why our governor and Department of Homeland Security has implemented a foam collection program for local fire departments across the state to help reduce the risk of exposure.to enact a pilot blood testing program for past and current Hoosier firefighters to measure their PFAS levels.
As this life-saving legislation moves its way through the legislative process, successfully passing out of the House Veterans Affairs and Public Safety Committee by a vote of 12-0, I will continue championing it through the Senate, and ask for your help in doing so.