John Piscopo

HARTFORD – The legislature’s Public Safety & Security Committee recently held a public hearing to discuss a proposal aimed at expanding cancer screening options for firefighters. During the hearing, Rep. Piscopo and local volunteer firefighter Jeffrey Bond of the Burlington Volunteer Fire Department raised concerns about the rising number of cancer cases among first responders, highlighting the unique risks they face when responding to fire emergencies.

“Over the years, we’ve seen more and more firefighters diagnosed with cancer. What initially seemed like coincidence has become a documented trend of certain cancers occurring more frequently in firefighters than the general public,” Piscopo testified. “Cancer treatment is expensive, but when caught early, it can often be successfully treated. That’s the goal of this bill: to establish a screening system, provide medical follow-ups, and ensure ongoing nursing care. It will not only save lives but also reduce treatment costs.”

After Piscopo’s remarks, the floor was handed over to Bond.

“We must begin firefighter cancer screenings immediately. There are no excuses,” Bond testified. “This guideline should apply to all firefighters. Moreover, there is no data in Connecticut to track how many volunteer firefighters have been diagnosed with cancer, received treatment, or even died from it. In one Connecticut volunteer fire department, four firefighters have had cancer, but this information is not tracked in any researchable database.”

The committee has until March 18th to move the bill forward to the House Floor for further action. Both Piscopo and Bond are hopeful that the proposal will receive favorable action before the deadline.

You can watch their testimony here.

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