When I first donned my turnout gear as a rookie firefighter, the focus was solely on battling flames. Little did we discuss the hidden dangers that silently accompanied us home.

Today, the narrative is starkly different. It’s now understood that firefighters face a 9% higher risk of developing cancer and a 14% greater chance of succumbing to it compared to the average American. Repeated exposure to smoke and hazardous chemicals can have devastating consequences. These service-related cancers often lead to disability and financial hardship, with some paying the ultimate price.

Moreover, the families left behind by these fallen heroes often struggle to cope. Grieving is challenging enough without the added pressure of financial survival.

Thus, it is significant that Congress has passed the Honoring Our Fallen Heroes Act within the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). For the first time, federal legislation acknowledges cancer as a leading cause of line-of-duty deaths among firefighters.

This legislation paves the way for families of firefighters who succumb to service-related cancers to access benefits through the Public Safety Officers’ Benefits (PSOB) program. This is a major advancement, but it requires swift implementation. The next steps will decide whether this long-awaited law will finally assist those in need.

Now that the NDAA is in effect, the Department of Justice must assess cancer-related claims under the new criteria. This process demands experienced reviewers, clear protocols, and sufficient staff. Currently, PSOB employees are dealing with a backlog of claims, and without additional resources, families might face further delays. Addressing this in the upcoming appropriations bill would be a prudent move.

New Yorkers know all too well the toll of service-related cancers. It took years of advocacy before 9/11-related illnesses were officially recognized as line-of-duty deaths. 

In October 2025, the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF) honored 176 FDNY firefighters who died from 9/11-related cancers, adding their names to the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial. These firefighters gave their lives years after answering the call, yet their sacrifices were no less profound. For the more than 1,000 family members, firefighters, and supporters gathered on Staten Island, the weight of that recognition was unmistakable. Loved ones were finally acknowledged, sacrifices were formally honored, and families gained access to long-awaited emotional support.

Others are still waiting. Federal law now expands cancer benefits beyond those affected by 9/11; swift implementation will bring overdue relief.

We are grateful to those who fought tirelessly for the Honor Act, including Fire Hero Families, fire service organizations, and lawmakers on both sides of the aisle. Families across the country will finally be able to have their firefighter formally honored for service-related illnesses that claimed their lives. This law ensures that sacrifice is recognized, that families are supported, and that firefighters who gave everything in the line of duty are never forgotten. 

Let’s keep the momentum going. 

January is Firefighter Cancer Awareness Month. Public awareness still matters, even after a bill becomes law. Implementation doesn’t happen without attention, oversight, and continued civic engagement. Elected officials must ensure the DOJ has the resources it needs to get this right. Fire departments nationwide and fire service organizations can help by making sure their members know what benefits are now available and how to apply. 

And firefighters themselves can help address the prevalence of cancer by participating in research and prevention efforts. I encourage all members of the fire service to enroll in the voluntary NIOSH Firefighter Cancer Registry, our profession’s most ambitious effort to track cancer outcomes. The more firefighters who participate, the stronger our evidence — and our case — becomes. 

The NFFF is preparing to support families as this law takes effect. Our Local Assistance State Teams stand ready to help families navigate what can be a confusing system at one of the hardest times in their lives. Formal recognition unlocks more than federal benefits: it means access to lifetime peer support, counseling, scholarships, and programs designed to help Fire Hero Families build new paths forward.

Passing the Honor Act was essential. Following through is crucial.

Clearing the backlog and ensuring new claims are processed efficiently is a matter of fairness. Firefighters and their families impacted by service-related cancers have already sacrificed too much. They deserve action.

This law lays the foundation. Now let’s finish the job.

Stagnaro, a 40-year veteran of the fire service, is CEO of the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, a congressionally established nonprofit that honors America’s fallen fire heroes, supports their families, and works to reduce preventable firefighter death and injury.