Local 21 Members active and retired are encouraged to attend a press conference supporting The Firefighter Cancer Registry Act hosted by Senator Amy Klobuchar. 

We will be at Minneapolis Station 17 – 330 E 38th St, Minneapolis ON MONDAY 2/20. The presser will begin at 11:00 am. If you want to arrive a little early, that would be much appreciated.
 
Retired Saint Paul Fire Captain Steve Shapira will be speaking to his experience at this event.
 
Brief background on the bill:
 
The Firefighter Cancer Registry Act would monitor and study the relationship between career-long exposure to dangerous fumes and toxins and the incidence of cancer in firefighters to determine if there is a link, and to develop better productive gear and prevention techniques.
 
The registry would improve collection capabilities and activities related to the nationwide monitoring of cancer incidence among all firefighters – career and volunteer. Specifically, the registry would:
 
-  Store and consolidate epidemiological information submitted by healthcare professionals related to cancer incidence among firefighters
 
-   Make de-identified data available to public health researchers to provide them with robust and comprehensive datasets to expand groundbreaking research
 
-   Improve our understanding of cancer incidence and could potentially lead to the development of more sophisticated safety protocols and safeguards as more data is collected
 
-   To ensure the effectiveness of the registry, its administrators would be required to consult regularly with epidemiologists, public health experts, clinicians, and firefighters.
 
Any questions regarding this matter contact L-21 Secretary Dennis Hall  Engine 8-A