Tulsa Fire Union President Praises CDC Survey Researching Firefighting And Cancer

The Centers for Disease Control is launching a new survey to better understand how the work firefighters do could be linked to cancer.

The president of the Tulsa firefighters union said this is something he’s been advocating in favor of for years. Matt Lay, who battled and beat a previous cancer diagnosis, said he has lobbied Congress for something like this for six years.

Monday, the CDC announced the creation of the National Firefighter Registry for Cancer, which is an online enrollment system for firefighters across the country. Its purpose is to help researchers learn about the dangers of the job and how it impacts the body.

“Anytime you’re dealing with smoke, chemicals, fumes, things like that,” said Lay. “Your rate of cancer occurrence goes up exponentially.”

Taking part of the survey is optional, but it’s something Lay said firefighters should do to help others.

“The information will be absolutely priceless,” said Lay. “It will be life-saving and a worthwhile investment.”

The survey will be sent to all current and retired Tulsa firefighters.