Members of the Fire Service community have access to specific benefits, programs, and resources that may be useful after a cancer diagnosis. It is valuable to access the benefits available to you and to understand how they may work with other benefits that you have. For example, you may have access to department-sponsored health insurance, wellness and screening programs, disability benefits, retirement benefits, and more.
You may be new to the job, been on the job for years, thinking about retirement, or already a retiree – there is information here for you.
This page shares information on topics related to the Fire Service, resources specific to the Fire Service, and other helpful resources.
Many of our materials and resources are also available in Spanish.
We want to hear from you! Complete this survey to share more information on how Triage Cancer can serve the Fire Service community.
Triage Cancer educational materials and resources are available to support you, your family, and members of your department coping with cancer.
Triage Cancer hosts FREE monthly webinars that cover a variety of legal and practical topics, such as health and disability insurance, navigating health care, managing finances, and more. You can register for these upcoming webinars:
Missed one of our webinars? You can watch the recordings on our Past Webinars page:
Triagecancer.org/Past-Webinars. Here are some recent webinars:
Triage Cancer® offers a series of FREE educational conferences on health care-related topics including navigating finances, health and disability insurance, employment rights, advocacy, and more. Conferences are open to everyone. This event covers key information needed to help navigate practical issues, minimize the financial burden of a cancer diagnosis, and reduce stress. Join us for a day of FREE education, games, prizes, and more!
Register: TriageCancer.org/Conferences.
Looking to share this information with your community? We provide speakers for community events. Request a speaker to learn more.
Triage Cancer has a free Legal & Financial Navigation Program that provides one-on-one assistance on a variety of topics, including health insurance, to empower you to confidently take next steps.
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.
For more Triage Cancer resources:
There are many organizations that provide financial assistance and other support programs for fire service personnel and their families. Here are a few examples:
For more financial assistance resources: TriageCancer.org/Cancer-Finances-Financial-Assistance.
Individuals who have served in Fire Service may have been exposed to certain substances that increase their future risk of cancer. If you have served in the Fire Service talk with your doctor about your possible exposure and whether increased cancer screenings are important for you. You may also have legal rights to certain health care, disability compensation, and other benefits.
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.