HOUSE RESOLUTION PROCLAIMING JANUARY OF 2026, TO BE "FIREFIGHTER CANCER AWARENESS MONTH" IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

H7012

2026 -- H 7012
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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026
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H O U S E R E S O L U T I O N
PROCLAIMING JANUARY OF 2026, TO BE "FIREFIGHTER CANCER AWARENESS
MONTH" IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

Introduced By:
Representatives Casimiro, Shekarchi, Blazejewski, Chippendale,
Paplauskas, Baginski, Casey, Voas, Solomon, and Serpa

Date Introduced:
January 08, 2026

Referred To:
House read and passed
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WHEREAS, Tragically, occupational cancer has surpassed heart disease as the leading
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line-of-duty cause of death among firefighters. In 2024, more than two-thirds of the firefighters
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added to the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) National Fallen Fire Fighters
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Memorial died from occupational cancer; and
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WHEREAS, In response to this growing problem, the IAFF and the Firefighter Support
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Network are teaming up and combining resources to tackle this growing problem and are working
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tirelessly and striving daily to reduce the impact of cancer on firefighters through better education
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and prevention resources within fire departments across the nation and with a particular focus on
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early detection; and
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WHEREAS, According to the Firefighter Cancer Support Network, firefighters have a
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nine percent higher risk of being diagnosed with cancer and a fourteen percent higher risk of
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dying from cancer than the general United States population citing research conducted by the
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CDC/National Institute for Occupational Health and Safety (NIOSH). The cancers most
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responsible for this higher risk are respiratory (lung and mesothelioma), GI (oral cavity,
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esophageal, large intestine) and kidney; and
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WHEREAS, Overall, firefighters have a greater risk of getting certain cancers than the
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general public with testicular cancer being 2.02 times higher, malignant mesothelioma being 2
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times higher, multiple myeloma 1.53 times higher, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma being 1.51 times
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higher, skin cancer being 1.39 times higher, malignant melanoma being 1.31 times higher, brain

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cancer being 1.31 times higher, prostate cancer being 1.28 times higher, colon cancer being 1.21
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times higher, and leukemia being 1.14 times higher; and
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WHEREAS, America's and Rhode Island's firefighters are dedicated public safety
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professionals who often risk life and limb to protect people's lives and property. They deserve our
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support and the resources necessary to do everything possible to reduce their greater chances of
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being diagnosed with and perishing from cancer; now, therefore be it
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RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island hereby
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proclaims January of 2026, to be "Firefighter Cancer Awareness Month" in the State of Rhode
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Island; and be it further
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RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to
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transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to the International Association of Fire Fighters
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(IAFF).
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