California Firefighter Cancer Prevention and Research Program.

Senators Grayson and Cortese's proposal aims to ensure firefighter participation in cancer research by preventing local governments from restricting involvement in studies conducted through the California Firefighter Cancer Prevention and Research Program.

The measure addresses the existing program, which enables the University of California to award competitive grants to educational institutions for research on firefighter exposure to carcinogens. Under the proposed change, cities and counties would be prohibited from preventing firefighters or fire departments from voluntarily participating in these studies. This includes guaranteeing access to facilities and equipment needed to conduct the research.

The program currently focuses on examining biomarkers that indicate both exposure to chemical carcinogens and cellular changes that may lead to cancer diagnoses among firefighters. By removing potential local barriers to participation, the measure seeks to facilitate data collection through a community-based research model that directly involves California firefighters in these studies.