Gov. Gavin Newsom announced a major new research effort Sept. 9 led by University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and UC Davis, in collaboration with Cal Fire (California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection), to investigate how occupational exposures among firefighters may increase cancer risk.
The project, a sub-study of the California Firefighter Cancer Research Study (CAFF-CRS), is backed by nearly $9.7 million in funding from Cal Fire and will include 3,500 firefighters from departments across the state over two years.
The study comes as the Trump administration continues to cut critical cancer research.
“This study couldn’t come at a more critical time as the Trump administration cuts cancer research,” said Newsom. “It’s California at our best: our world-class public universities teaming up with the women and men who put their lives on the line to protect others – all in an effort to improve health outcomes for all. The findings of this research will help guide best practices to better protecting firefighters from cancer risk for generations to come.”
The study, funded by Cal Fire and the UC Office of the President, will analyze how exposures on the fireground, especially during significant events, may drive changes in the body that contribute to cancer risk over time. The UC research team is guided by a firefighter advisory board to ensure the study remains grounded in real-world needs and priorities.
“This vital study to understand and reduce cancer risks for firefighters gets to the heart of what UC researchers and scientists do best – save lives and keep our communities healthy and safe,” said UC President James B. Milliken. “As wildfires become more common across our state and nation, there’s an urgent need to support the firefighters who risk everything to save lives, homes, businesses and communities throughout California. UC is proud to partner with Cal Fire on this important research.”
A specific area of focus will compare exposures and biological changes in firefighters who responded to the Eaton and Palisades fires in LA with those who did not.
“This research underscores Cal Fire’s commitment to protecting firefighter health through science, innovation and partnership,”said Cal Fire Director and Fire Chief Joe Tyler.
This research is part of a broader, multi-agency effort to protect the health of those who protect our communities. By better understanding the relationship between biomarkers of exposure, such as heavy metals, and biomarkers of effect – such as epigenetic alterations, transcriptomics and markers of inflammation and immune dysfunction – the team hopes to pave the way for new prevention and intervention strategies for firefighters nationwide.