History of Firefighter in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: November 28, 2025

Firefighters are first responders trained to handle a variety of public safety and emergency situations. Their primary role involves controlling and extinguishing fires, but they also respond to hazardous material incidents, medical emergencies, traffic collisions, and other threats to life, property, and the environment. Firefighters are responsible for rescuing individuals from dangerous situations, confinement, and preserving evidence at emergency scenes.

2005: Traffic Collisions and Firefighter Fatalities

In 2005, a report indicated that in the United States, 25% of firefighter fatalities were due to traffic collisions during responses. To enhance visibility and safety, fire departments began requiring firefighters to wear bright yellow reflective vests over their turnout coats when working on public roads.

2014: National Fallen Firefighters Foundation Report on Suicide

A 2014 report by the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation revealed that fire departments are three times more likely to experience a suicide in a year than a line-of-duty death.

2014: Research on Bladder Cancer Risk in Female Firefighters

As of 2014, research regarding bladder cancer risk specifically among female firefighters was inconclusive.

2015: Firefighters at Higher Risk for Certain Types of Cancer

In 2015, a study revealed that firefighters face a higher risk of specific cancers, including mesothelioma (linked to asbestos exposure), bladder cancer, and prostate cancer (particularly in younger firefighters). There was also a link identified between hours spent fighting fires and lung cancer/leukemia mortality.

July 7, 2018: Firefighter Cancer Registry Act of 2018

On July 7, 2018, the Firefighter Cancer Registry Act of 2018 was passed, mandating the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to establish the National Firefighter Registry to gather data on cancer rates among U.S. firefighters.

June 2022: Firefighting Classified as "Carcinogenic to Humans"

In June 2022, IARC classified occupational exposure as a firefighter as "carcinogenic to humans" due to chemical exposures and the risk of harmful chemicals coming in contact with the skin.