Pa. House Fire & EMS Caucus celebrates passage of firefighter cancer screening bill
Rep. Lisa Borowski October 23, 2026 | 11:32 AM
HARRISBURG, Oct. 23 – Members of the Pennsylvania House Fire & EMS Caucus applauded this week’s House passage of Rep. Joe Ciresi’s firefighter cancer screening bill.
House Bill 2826 would establish the Firefighter Cancer Screening Program to support cancer screenings for eligible professional and volunteer firefighters in Pennsylvania. Occupational cancer is a significant health risk for firefighters, who are exposed to known cancer-causing toxins such as PFAS and others through the use of firefighting foams and protective gear.
Scott, a volunteer firefighter and co-chair of the Fire and EMS Caucus, said this new program would make it easier for firefighters to access critical tests that can lead to earlier detection and treatment.
“The increased cancer risk faced by our firefighters is a known problem in the first-responder community,” said Scott. “But these dedicated men and women choose to serve their communities anyway. We need to protect those who protect us. Establishing a cancer screening program opens important screening tests to firefighters who may not be able to afford them otherwise.”
“Early detection makes a real difference in someone’s cancer journey, but that only matters if people can actually access the services they need,” said state Rep. Lisa Borowski, co-chair of the Fire & EMS Caucus. “This measure recognizes the carcinogenic risks firefighters are exposed to, and how this more than warrants the guarantee they can all access related cancer screenings. I want to see every Pennsylvanian at elevated risk for cancer have that same opportunity, and the chance to access care as soon as possible.”
“Our firefighters risk their lives every day to protect our families, our homes and our communities, and now it’s our turn to protect them,” Ciresi said. “They have our backs. It’s time we had theirs by ensuring that every firefighter—career and volunteer—has access to free cancer screenings.”
The bill passed the House 202-1. It now heads to the state Senate for consideration.