Fire Service Resources

• U.S. Fire Administration: The National Fire Department Registry has a list of the registered U.S. fire departments that includes brief demographic information. Learn more about local departments.
• International Association of Fire Fighters(IAFF): A large labor union and professional association that advocates for the rights, safety, and advancements of fire and emergency medical workers across North America
• International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC):  A global organization representing fire service leadership and experts in various fields of emergency response and public safety.
• National Volunteer Fire Council(NVFC): The leading nonprofit membership association dedicated to representing the interests of volunteer firefighters, EMS, and rescue personnel at the national level. 
• Women in Fire is an organization that promotes female leadership and participation within the fire and emergency services. They have created a variety of educational resources relevant to all fire service personnel.
• U.S. Forest Service: The agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, is the nation’s foremost federal forestry organization. The agency is a world leader in forest research, providing leadership in the sustainable management, conservation, use, and stewardship of natural and cultural resources on national forests and grasslands in the United States.

• National Fire Protection Association (NFPA): The world's leading advocate of fire prevention, the NFPA develops and disseminates codes and standards to minimize fire risks. 
• Science to the Station fosters collaboration and communication between subject matter experts and frontline public safety personnel to translate and disseminate evidence-informed health, wellness, and safety education and interventions.
• National Firefighter Registry for Cancer – The National Firefighter Registry for Cancer, created by the CDC, was established to collect more information on the existing factors surrounding cancer risk and exposure. Learn more about the NFR for Cancer.
• Congressional Fire Services Institute(CFSI): A non-profit organization that educates members of Congress on fire and life safety issues, promoting policies that benefit fire and emergency services.
• Fire Industry Education Research Organization (F.I.E.R.O.) exists to improve firefighter health and safety through educational conferences and workshops and participation on research projects.

• International Association of Fire Fighters Financial Corporation (IAFF-FC) offers supplemental insurance to IAFF members and their immediate family members to cover cancer and critical illness. Learn more about these programs.
• IAFF has created resources to help firefighters understand their pension systems and to assist when choosing benefits.
• September 11^th Victim Compensation Fund provides compensation to individuals (or a personal representative of a deceased individual) who were present at one of the three crash sites during the following timeframes, and who have since been diagnosed with a 9/11-related physical illness.

Fire Service Personnel are often exposed to difficult and stressful work situations that can result in mental health challenges, including post-traumatic stress. There are many organizations that provide resources to Firefighters and their families to navigate the mental load.

• Save a Warrior: Offers suicide prevention retreat services for military personnel and first responders. 
• 988 Lifeline: A national crisis lifeline for those in distress. 
• A fire department’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP) can provide resources for fire service personnel and family members. EAP is a confidential and free voluntary service that provides support for a wide range of personal and work-related issues, including access to counseling services for stress, anxiety, depression, and other mental health concerns.

For more Triage Health Resources:

• Quick Guide to Accessing Mental Health Care
• Quick Guide to Stress Management

There are many organizations that provide financial assistance and other support programs for fire service personnel and their families. Here are a few examples:

• Foundation 58  provides financial support to eligible first responders who are actively undergoing treatment for cancer.
• Operation First Response offers a Family Assistance Program for First Responder families, that provides financial help for basic needs such as groceries, clothing, mortgage, rent, utilities, and vehicle payments.

For more financial assistance resources: TriageHealth.org/Financial-Assistance.

Individuals who have served in Fire Service may have been exposed to certain substances that increase their future risk of cancer and other health issues. If you have served in the Fire Service talk with your doctor about your possible exposure and whether increased health screenings are important for you. You may also have legal rights to certain health care, disability compensation, and other benefits.

• Access the Science
  • Science to the Station works to bridge the communication gaps between the research scientists and first responders when it comes to understanding health and wellness. Their resources include a research tool to find relevant science.
  • Women in Fire provides cancer reports that include cancer type specific information as it impacts the fire service community.
  • IAFF Continues to provide information and resources on occupational hazards associated with fire service.
  • The American Cancer Society has many resources that detail cancer risks for a variety of communities, including an article on Firefighter Cancer Risk

• The Risks of PFAS
  • PFAS, or per and poly-fluoroalkyl substances, are a group of manufactured chemicals that may lead to adverse health outcomes. PFAS are commonly used in firefighter turnout gear, which increases exposure to the chemicals. Learn more about potential exposures to hazardous chemicals and materials in IAFFs information video.
  • Cancer Awareness Prevention Program (CAPP) has created a video series that walks through safe work practices to avoid hazardous exposure.

• Reproductive Health & The Fire Service
  • It has been proven that firefighters have a higher risk of infertility as a result of hazardous exposures, heat, stress, irregular sleep patterns and more. These risks can negatively impact the reproductive abilities of both men and women. Science to the Station is spearheading research on reproductive health and the fire service. Learn more about their findings.
  • Women in Fire and the Center for Fire, Rescue, & EMS Health Research (CFREHR) has brought together a panel of experts, including occupational health professionals, researchers, and essential fire service personnel to condense relevant documents and ongoing research concerning reproductive health, pregnancy, and breastfeeding.
  • The Women in Fire Toolkits are specifically designed by other women in the fire service and contain pertinent information on what to expect as you navigate your pregnancy, miscarriage, infertility, or other reproductive health challenges. Apply for your toolkit.
• Tobacco Use and Firefighters
  • There are a number of local programs and tools to help firefighters quit smoking. The National Volunteer Fire Council’s “Put It Out” resources include an information video and a smoking cessation toolkit.
  • Science to the Station created an infographic to describe tobacco use among firefighters.

• The IAFF presumptive disability coverage database provides up-to-date information by state and province. Presumptive disability laws for firefighters establish a legal assumption that certain health conditions, such heart disease, raspatory diseases, PTSD, and specific cancers, are a result of their work exposures. Unlike typical workers’ compensation claims, presumptive laws shift the burden of proof onto the employer to disprove their medical condition is connected to their work. These state presumptive disability laws vary in their eligibility requirements, conditions they cover, as well as the eligibility window.
• The National Defense Authorization Act Section 5305 titled “Fairness for Federal Firefighters,” identifies certain conditions will be “presumed” to be work-related. Learn more about the National Defense Authorization Act and Cancer.

• Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA): Public Safety Officers' Benefits (PSOB) Program provides death and education benefits to survivors of fallen law enforcement officers, firefighters, and other first responders, and disability benefits to officers catastrophically injured in the line of duty. Learn more about application instructions and file an application for benefits.
• International Association of Fire Fighters: IAFF has a variety of information regarding PSOB, including current legislation, contact information, and a FAQ sheet.

• National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF): This organization supports the families of fallen firefighters and works to prevent line-of-duty deaths and injuries through advocacy and education programs. It offers resources for mental health, well-being, and support groups like peer-to-peer and facilitated support groups for families. 

• Wills for Heroes Foundation provides essential estate planning documents free of charge to our nation's veterans and first responders. Use their locator tool to find a program near you.
• Cancer Finances Legal Assistance Module is designed to help guide you through some key topics that may impact your financial situation.

• Firefighter Nation’s mission is to ignite firefighter wellness through valuable content covering all aspects of firefighter life, including mental and physical health, personal and career development, and department recruitment and retention. 
• International Association of Fire Fighters Magazine shares relevant news and education on the fire service including fire service personnel health and wellness.
• Firehouse Magazine shares the latest fire service news and training through podcasts, webinars, and their magazine.
• Crackyl: Covering everything from health and wellness to financial security and fitness, CRACKYL delivers resources that help firefighters heal, improve, and thrive.