Notice2026-01935
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Center for Firefighter Safety, Health and Well-Being Portfolio; Request for Information
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
February 2, 2026
Issuing agencies
Health and Human Services DepartmentCenters for Disease Control and Prevention
Abstract
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), in the Department of Health and Human Services, requests public input on priority topics related to firefighter safety and health. Through its Center for Firefighter Safety, Health, and Well-Being, NIOSH conducts research and provides services to identify and help prevent new and emerging hazards in the fire service earlier and faster. As the threat from structural, wildland urban interface, and wildland fires grows, NIOSH seeks input to help refine its existing research and engagement priorities. This request is for information-gathering purposes and does not propose new regulations, requirements, or policies.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 21 (Monday, February 2, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 21 (Monday, February 2, 2026)]
[Notices]
[Pages 4561-4562]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-01935]
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
[Docket No. CDC-2026-0133, NIOSH-356]
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
Center for Firefighter Safety, Health and Well-Being Portfolio; Request
for Information
AGENCY: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Department of
Health and Human Services (HHS).
ACTION: Request for information.
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SUMMARY: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC)
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), in the
Department of Health and Human Services, requests public input on
priority topics related to firefighter safety and health. Through its
Center for Firefighter Safety, Health, and Well-Being, NIOSH conducts
research and provides services to identify and help prevent new and
emerging hazards in the fire service earlier and faster. As the threat
from structural, wildland urban interface, and wildland fires grows,
NIOSH seeks input to help refine its existing research and engagement
priorities. This request is for information-gathering purposes and does
not propose new regulations, requirements, or policies.
DATES: Comments must be received on or before April 3, 2026.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments by either of the following methods:
<bullet> Federal eRulemaking Portal: <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a>.
Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
<bullet> Mail: NIOSH Docket Office, Robert A. Taft Laboratories, MS
C-34, 1090 Tusculum Avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio 45226-1998.
Instructions: All written submissions received in response to this
document must include the agency name and docket number (CDC-2026-0133
NIOSH-356) for this activity. All relevant comments, including any
personal information provided, will be posted without change to <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a>. Do not submit comments by email.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lauralynn McKernan, 1090 Tusculum
Ave., MS R-14, Cincinnati, OH 45226; Telephone (513) 533-8542 (this is
not a toll-free number); Email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#9dd3d4d2ced5eff8faeeddfef9feb3faf2eb"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="185651574b506a7d7f6b587b7c7b367f776e">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NIOSH has decades of experience conducting
investigations and research on firefighter safety and health. The NIOSH
Center for Firefighter Safety, Health, and Well-Being provides a
central point for engaging with the broad spectrum of research and
service NIOSH conducts around firefighters. The goal of the Center is
to protect firefighters by identifying new and emerging hazards in the
fire service so that those hazards can be prevented earlier and faster.
Firefighters are vital to the safety of our communities. While on duty,
firefighters may experience acute events such as injuries, heart
attacks, and fatalities. Over time, firefighters are at risk of cancer
and other chronic diseases.
Protecting firefighters' safety and health is a top priority for
NIOSH. NIOSH works closely with other federal agencies, researchers,
and fire-service leaders and organizations to improve firefighter
safety and health. As the threat from structural, wildland urban
interface (WUI), and wildland fires grows, both firefighters and other
workers face risks from fire-related exposures, such as smoke
inhalation, post-fire clean-up activities, and hazardous materials.
NIOSH is currently engaged in the following firefighter safety and
health activities:
<bullet> Services: NIOSH offers a range of vital services to
enhance firefighter safety and health, including:
[[Page 4562]]
a. National Firefighter Registry (NFR) for Cancer: Actively
enrolling firefighters to understand and reduce cancer risk.
b. NIOSH Respirator Approval Program (RAP): Evaluating the safety
of respirators and PPE used by firefighters.
c. Health Hazard Evaluation (HHE) Program: Assessing work-related
health hazards to improve worker safety and health.
d. World Trade Center Health Program (WTC Health Program):
Providing healthcare to 9/11 responders and supporting internal and
extramural grant research into WTC-related health conditions and
treatment.
e. Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation and Prevention Program
(FFFIPP): Investigating line-of-duty deaths and serious injuries to
improve safety and prevent future incidents.
f. Emergency Response Support: Enhancing preparedness and response
for both natural disasters and manmade crises, supporting communities
with resources and tools.
<bullet> Cancer Prevention: NIOSH has a variety of activities and
research to understand and reduce the risk of cancer in the fire
industry, including the NFR, the largest effort ever undertaken to
understand and reduce the risk of cancer among U.S. firefighters.
<bullet> Research: NIOSH conducts research to enhance the health
and safety of structural and wildland firefighters. By assessing
exposures related to materials burned, fire conditions, and substances
encountered such as PFAS in firefighting foam, as well as ways to
prevent injury and illnesses, NIOSH continues to be at the forefront of
firefighter safety and health research.
<bullet> Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): NIOSH evaluates the
safety of PPE for structural and wildland firefighters--including
respirators and turnout gear--through comprehensive research,
evaluations, and the NIOSH Respirator Approval Program, safeguarding
the health and safety of all responders.
<bullet> Partnerships: NIOSH collaborates with federal agencies,
researchers, fire-service leaders, and organizations to better
understand the safety and health needs of firefighters and maximize the
impact of NIOSH research and activities.
<bullet> Resources: NIOSH develops resources and tools to support
firefighters and first responders in performing their duties safely and
effectively in hazardous environments.
We are seeking additional input on the NIOSH priorities, research
portfolio, and service activities to help protect the firefighters and
other workers who face risks from fire-related exposures, injuries,
illnesses, and fatalities. Please consider addressing these questions
or provide other comments you deem relevant.
(1) How can NIOSH best leverage these priority topics to help
improve firefighter safety, health, and well-being and address
potential challenges?
(2) What priorities, research areas and service activities could be
expanded?
(3) How can NIOSH best partner with fire service organizations and
related stakeholder organizations to achieve these priorities?
John J. Howard,
Director, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health,
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Department of Health and
Human Services.
[FR Doc. 2026-01935 Filed 1-30-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-18-P
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