09/29/2026
I’ve been saying this for years:
More testing does not automatically mean better healthcare.
Firefighters deserve advanced, proactive healthcare, but every test should have a purpose. While new technology can be exciting, we believe screening should be based on evidence, established standards, and findings that can actually change what we do for the patient.
The IAFF recently reinforced this approach in its guidance on multi-cancer detection testing. These tests may hold promise, but they do not replace established cancer screenings or the comprehensive annual medical evaluation outlined in NFPA 1580.
And one of the most valuable tools we have isn’t a flashy new test at all.
It’s consistency.
When we evaluate firefighters year after year, we can trend their labs, cardiovascular risk factors, body composition, pulmonary function, blood pressure, metabolic health, hormone markers, fitness, and other objective findings over time.
A value can still fall within the “normal” range while moving meaningfully in the wrong direction.
That small change may not mean much on a single exam.
Over several years, it can tell a very different story.
You must perform the right tests, every year, track the right data, recognize changes early, and intervene when something is actionable.
Evidence first. Trends over time. Action when it matters.
