Medical Monitoring

When lives are at stake, America's emergency responders do not hesitate to rush directly into harm's way.  First responders have a right to know if they have been exposed to harmful substances in the course of their duties.  In October 2006, legislation to protect the health and well-being of the men and women who are called on to rescue those in danger by establishing long-term medical monitoring programs to assess and monitor the health and safety of first responders following disasters was signed into law.   

Language to establish such programs was included in the final version of H.R. 4954, the SAFE Port Act.  Medical monitoring legislation had originally been introduced in the House by Representatives (H.R. 3850) Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) and Christopher Shays (R-CT), and in the Senate (S. 1741) by Senators George Voinovich (R-OH) and Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY).

To read more about the successful passage of future medical monitoring programs, click here:  IAFF Wins Passage of Medical Monitoring Bill 

For more information about the need for medical monitoring and the issue's legislative history, click here:  Fact Sheet

Learn more about why medical monitoring programs are critical for our nation's fire fighters:  Key Points