I am proud to share that the East Farmingdale Volunteer Fire Department has become the first fire department in New York State to be recognized as a Gold Helmet Fire Department by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).
This recognition is especially meaningful to me because East Farmingdale is where I began my journey in the fire service. I joined as a junior volunteer at 14 years old, and it was here that my love for the fire service took root. It was also here that I realized I wanted to become an FDNY firefighter and began pursuing that dream. More than 40 years later, I remain a member of this great organization.
Next year marks the 100th anniversary of the East Farmingdale Fire Department. What better way to celebrate this centennial milestone than by investing in the future, by protecting the next generation of firefighters from the silent killer that has claimed far too many lives: cancer.
The Gold Helmet designation is awarded to fire departments that achieve 50% or greater participation in the National Firefighter Registry (NFR) for Cancer (or for larger fire departments when more than 300 members sign up). It’s a nationwide initiative to collect data and better understand the link between firefighting and cancer. So far, fewer than 50 departments across the United States have earned this distinction. While more than 27,000 firefighters have registered, that number is a drop in the bucket when compared to the more than 1 million active, retired, and former firefighters in the country.
A Legacy of Leadership and Commitment
We must do better.
This milestone reflects vision, leadership, commitment, and teamwork. It’s a clear sign of a department that’s willing to take action today to safeguard the health and safety of tomorrow’s firefighters. There’s a quote I often share when speaking to firefighters: “The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second-best time is today.” The shade we enjoy now – the policies, procedures, and safety measures – exists because those before us took action. When firefighters register with the NFR, they are planting trees for those who will follow, helping to ensure a safer, healthier future for the next generation.
Cancer remains one of the leading causes of firefighter deaths. Research has consistently shown that firefighters face significantly elevated risks of developing various forms of cancer due to repeated exposure to toxic chemicals and smoke. These exposures don’t only occur during structure fires, they happen during car fires, during overhaul, and even from contaminated gear sitting inside the firehouse.
Why the National Firefighter Registry Matters
The National Firefighter Registry was created to better understand the connection between firefighting and cancer. But this mission can only succeed if firefighters take the time to enroll. The more who participate, the more meaningful the data becomes. This is how we drive real, evidence-based changes in our policies, procedures, and prevention strategies. Registration is simple, confidential, and vitally important. Every firefighter who signs up helps strengthen the foundation of future cancer prevention efforts.
While the registry is a national program, its success has been driven by local leadership. Departments that have reached Gold Helmet status all share one critical ingredient: someone who took ownership and championed the effort.
Champions of the Cause
Leadership matters.
In Lee’s Summit, Mo., that leader is Chief Mike Snider, who has been relentless in advocating for firefighter health. In Loveland-Symmes, Ohio, Chiefs Billy Goldfeder and Otto Huber both pushed and ensured participation. In Fox Chapel, Pa., it was the late John Miclot – a firefighter and board member of the First Responder Center for Excellence – who ensured his department understood the value of this initiative. His passing in early 2025 was a great loss, but his legacy continues to have a lasting impact.
In East Farmingdale, the effort was led by Captain Mathew Riback, who also happens to be my captain. I’ve had the privilege of watching him lead this initiative firsthand. He educated members, answered questions, and motivated firefighters on why it matters. Thanks to his leadership and the support of our chiefs, East Farmingdale has become a model for other departments in New York and across the country.
Of course, registering for the NFR is only the beginning. True cancer prevention in the fire service demands a cultural shift – one that reaches across ranks and departments. It requires that we clean our gear properly and consistently, that we wear our SCBA during overhaul, and that we follow other best practices that minimize our exposure to toxins. It means challenging outdated attitudes and encouraging smarter, more protective behaviors throughout our organizations.
Planting the Seeds of Cultural Change
Cultural change doesn’t happen by accident. It takes leadership, buy-in, and action from the top down and the bottom up. That’s what makes the Gold Helmet designation so powerful. It’s a symbol that represents a department that “gets it,” one that has taken a meaningful step toward protecting its people now and into the future.
The tree has been planted.
The shade it will offer in the years ahead will protect those who come after us. Let East Farmingdale be the first of many in New York to embrace this mission. We hope others will join us in this critical work – not just for ourselves, but for every firefighter who will one day walk through the doors of their firehouse, ready to serve.
Sign up today at the National Firefighter Registry (NFR) for Cancer.
Watch this video about the NFR (with a familiar face in the video):
Follow the East Farmingdale Fire Department on Facebook.
