KAISER PERMANENTE

Help Shape the Future of Firefighter Health: Join Our Research Study

Firefighting is more than a job — it’s a calling that demands courage, resilience, and sacrifice. But along with the honor and dedication of serving comes unique health risks that we must understand and address. California Professional Firefighters, in partnership with Kaiser Permanente, is launching an important research study to do just that — and we need your help.

Why This Study Matters

Past research has shown that firefighters face higher risks for serious health conditions, including cancer. Our goal is to learn how firefighting in California impacts health and to help design programs that meet the unique wellness needs of firefighters. The first phase of our study focuses on cancer, a critical concern for our community. We’ll also look at the impact of firefighting on biological aging.

We Invite Kaiser Permanente Members to Join Our Study

If you are a current Kaiser Permanente member and an active or retired California firefighter, you are invited to participate. The more firefighters who take part, the more impactful the study will be. Your involvement is simple but powerful:

  1. Read and Sign the Consent Form
    Learn about the study, how your information will be kept confidential, and what participation means.

  2. Complete a Short Survey
    Share details about your firefighting experience, health behaviors, cancer screening history, and lifestyle habits. This takes about 30 minutes.

Provide a Saliva Sample
We will mail you a saliva kit. Return your saliva kit sample to us using the pre-stamped return envelope that comes with the kit.

Your privacy is our top priority. All information will be stored in a secure Kaiser Permanente research file, separate from your medical record, and will never be shared with your employer or anyone outside of Kaiser’s research team.

Your Participation Matters

By joining this study, you’re helping us build a concrete understanding of cancer frequency among firefighters compared to other Californians, accounting for age, sex, and geography. We will be able to validate ongoing concerns about cancer risk with real world information. These findings will help inform prevention strategies and health programs tailored for firefighters. Summary results will be shared with CPF and participants when the study concludes next year (2026).

Looking Ahead

In early 2026, participants who consent will receive a saliva kit for the telomere analysis. Researchers will analyze your saliva sample for telomeres — chromosome markers linked to aging and disease susceptibility. This innovative step will help us understand how firefighting affects aging.

Join Us Today

Your voice and experience matter. Together, we can build a healthier future for firefighters across California — for you, and for future generations of firefighters. To learn more and enroll, visit: californiafirefightershealthstudy-econsent.kaiser.org

Thank you to those who have already stepped forward. Your commitment is paving the way for groundbreaking insights that will protect generations of firefighters to come.