The Politico and ProPublica have reported that firefighters across the United States are facing reduced support due to federal workforce cuts initiated by the Trump administration.
According to Politico, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) lost most staff involved in firefighter health research and fatality investigations.
ProPublica stated that critical programs studying firefighter deaths and cancers have been paused or abandoned.
Politico added that the U.S. Forest Service workforce was reduced by over 10 percent, affecting wildfire mitigation nationwide.
Firefighters and wildfire officials in multiple states are now warning of heightened risks due to fewer federal resources and halted research programs.
Politico reported that NIOSH’s Health Hazard Evaluation program, which provided free workplace safety assessments, has ceased most operations due to staff reductions.
Hannah Echt, a team member and union steward, said: “We haven’t been able to travel since the end of January, and now … there’s no one to do the traveling.”
The team was investigating firefighters’ exposure to diesel exhaust when the cuts were announced.
Politico stated that research into PFAS contamination on firefighting gear and health hazard studies in fire stations have been halted.
Politico explained that layoffs dismantled the staff maintaining the CDC’s National Firefighter Registry for Cancer.
Kenny Schroeder, a firefighter involved with the registry, said: “It’s very disheartening.”
Services under the World Trade Center Health Program, helping firefighters exposed to 9/11 toxins, are now facing longer delays according to interviews by Politico.
Michael Barasch, an advocate for 9/11 survivors, said: “I’m afraid of what we’re going to see with all these delayed mammograms, prostate exams, whole body skin exams.”
Politico revealed that the Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation and Prevention Program has lost most of its staff, ending many ongoing investigations.
John Goodman, president of IAFF Local 29 in Spokane, Washington, said: “They’re just cutting big budget items … without even looking into what it is.”
A NIOSH researcher told Politico that a national firefighter carcinogen exposure study had been completed but remains unanalyzed because of the terminations.
Greg Landsman, a Democratic congressman, stated: “Time is of the essence when it comes to people’s jobs and worker safety and the health of this country.”
Politico Pulse reported that NIOSH’s Center for Firefighter Safety, Health and Well-being has been effectively dismantled.
According to Politico Pulse, the staff layoffs have affected the Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation and Prevention Program’s ability to produce safety recommendations.
Richard Alles, a retired New York City firefighter and prostate cancer survivor, said: “Republicans in general … love to wrap themselves in the flag on September 11. You know, ‘never forget,’ Well, where are you now?”
Politico Pulse stated that HHS did not respond to requests for comment regarding the elimination of firefighter health and safety initiatives.
The World Trade Center Health Program, previously assisting thousands of first responders, has seen delays in care delivery according to Politico Pulse.
Firefighters, already exposed to carcinogens and mental health stressors, now have fewer federal programs supporting early detection and treatment of illnesses.
Politico Pulse emphasized that NIOSH research found firefighters have a 9 percent higher risk of cancer diagnosis and a 14 percent higher risk of dying from cancer compared to the general public.
Cuts to studies investigating these occupational risks will slow or prevent improvements in firefighter protective standards.
There are growing concerns among researchers and advocates that firefighter health protections will weaken without timely federal research data.
According to Politico’s The Fifty, the U.S. Forest Service workforce has been reduced by over 10 percent due to federal layoffs.
Colorado Governor Jared Polis said: “Forest fires aren’t going to take four years off just because of who’s in the White House.”
With fewer federal staff clearing brush and thinning trees, wildfire mitigation projects are being delayed.
Politico reported that several states, including Nevada and New Mexico, are activating emergency plans to cope with expected increases in wildfire threats.
Nevada State Forester Kacey KC said: “I’m nervous about our ability to maintain those public lands with the people who work on the ground.”
California, Utah, and New Mexico have created new wildfire funds, formed firefighting compacts, or expanded fire readiness programs in response.
Politico stated that new state policies and grants, such as Colorado’s $7 million wildfire mitigation program, are aimed at offsetting federal pullbacks.
However, gaps remain, particularly in regions with high percentages of federal land ownership and low local tax revenues.
Senator John Curtis of Utah said: “If you’re not going to take responsibility for it, give it to us.”
ProPublica reported that the Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation and Prevention Program, which reviews line-of-duty deaths, has been effectively dismantled by recent layoffs.
An unnamed investigator said: “The whole intent of this program was that people would learn through tragedy — what happened to one person — so we can prevent it from happening to others.”
NIOSH investigators were examining deaths at 20 fire departments when termination notices ended their work.
ProPublica revealed that layoffs at NIOSH also affected the National Firefighter Registry for Cancer, disrupting critical health data collection.
More than 23,000 firefighters had registered since April 2023 to contribute to cancer research, according to ProPublica.
Judith Graber from Rutgers School of Public Health said: “It’s devastating.”
According to ProPublica, the Trump administration’s reductions have stopped research into PFAS exposures, smoke inhalation, and cancer risks among firefighters.
Diane Cotter, an advocate for firefighter health, said cuts to programs like the World Trade Center Health Program are unacceptable.
A wildland firefighter told ProPublica that hopes for better protections against wildfire smoke have been dashed following the registry’s collapse.
The Politico and ProPublica reported that federal workforce cuts have impacted firefighter health and wildfire safety programs across the United States.
NIOSH’s Health Hazard Evaluation program and Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation and Prevention Program have been severely reduced.
The National Firefighter Registry for Cancer has halted new enrollments following mass staff layoffs.
State governments are taking new steps to compensate for reduced federal wildfire mitigation efforts.
Wildfire prevention funding and staffing shortages are expected to challenge fire response capabilities.
Cuts to the World Trade Center Health Program have delayed services for firefighters exposed to 9/11 toxins.
Several studies investigating firefighter cancer risks and protective gear contamination have been suspended.
Local and national firefighter unions and health advocates are calling for restoration of terminated programs.
Layoffs have interrupted ongoing fatality investigations that previously helped improve firefighter safety standards.
States such as Colorado, Nevada, and New Mexico are creating wildfire readiness programs to counter reduced federal support.
