National Firefighter Registry Subcommittee

At a glance

The National Firefighter Registry Subcommittee (NFRS) provides advice to NIOSH about establishing and operating the National Firefighter Registry for Cancer.

Firefighter in full gear strapping on a respirator in front of a fire truck.

Purpose

The NFRS is a subcommittee of the NIOSH Board of Scientific Counselors. The National Firefighter Cancer Registry Act of 2018 required NIOSH to create a voluntary registry of firefighters. The goal is to collect health and occupational information to determine cancer incidence in the U.S. fire service. The Act requires NIOSH to consult with interested parties, such as firefighters, public health professionals, clinicians, and state agencies. The NFRS fulfills this requirement.

For more information, see the full NFRS charge.

Meetings

The NFRS meets once per year, either virtually or in a hybrid virtual/in-person format. Members of the public are welcome to attend virtually. Advance registration is required.

For information about earlier meetings, see NIOSH Docket 232.

August 22, 2024

June 13, 2023

September 6, 2022

August 13, 2021

Membership

The NFRS has 13 members. The co-chairs are also members of the NIOSH Board of Scientific Counselors. Eleven other members bring expertise in firefighting, cancer registries, epidemiology, public health, and healthcare.

There is also a Designated Federal Officer who is responsible for the day-to-day management of the NFRS. Kandyce Reeves, NIOSH Public Health Analyst, currently fills that role.

Co-chairs

Dr. Judith Graber

  • Associate Professor, Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Rutgers School of Public Health
  • Piscataway, NJ
  • Term: 08/08/2023-12/31/2026

    • Dr. Gavin Horn

  • Research Engineer, Underwriters Laboratories Fire Safety Research Institute
  • Columbia, MD
  • Term: 08/08/2023-12/31/2026

    • Members

    Dr. Eric B. Durbin

    • Assistant Professor, Division of Biomedical Informatics, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky
    • Director, Kentucky Cancer Registry
    • Lexington, Kentucky
    • Term: 02/15/2022-12/31/2026

    Dr. Manny Fonesca

    • President, National Association of Hispanic Firefighters
    • Nashville, TN
    • Term: 01/01/2023-12/31/2025

    Tom Harbour

    • President, Harbour Fire
    • Mesa, AZ
    • Term: 01/01/2022-12/31/2026

    Sara Lee

    • Chief Executive Officer, National Volunteer Fire Council
    • Washington, DC
    • Term: 07/25/2022-12/31/2025

    Dr. Steven M. Moffatt

    • Executive Director, National Institute for Public Safety Health
    • Indianapolis, IN
    • Term: 01/04/2021-12/31/2025

    Dr. Bozena Morawski

  • Epidemiologist & Idaho SEER Co-Principal Investigator, Cancer Data Registry of Idaho
    • Boise, ID
    • Term: 01/01/2024-12/31/2026

      • Brook Pittinger

    • Assistant Deputy Commissioner for Administration, Virginia Department of Health
    • Richmond, VA
    • Term: 01/01/2024-12/31/2026

      • Miyoko Sasakura

    • Industrial Hygienist, Department of Labor and Industries
    • Seattle, WA
    • Term: 01/01/2024-12/31/2026

      • Dr. Demond Simmons

      • Chief of Training, Oakland Fire Department
      • Oakland, CA
      • Term: 01/01/2023-12/31/2025

      Victor Stagnaro

      • Managing Director, National Fallen Firefighters Foundation
      • Emmitsburg, MD
      • Term: 01/01/2022-12/31/2026

      Matthew Tobia

    • Fire Chief, Harrisonburg Fire Department
    • Harrisonburg, VA
    • Term: 01/01/2024-12/31/2026
      • Print
      Content Source:
      National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health