OKLAHOMA CITY – A legislative bill to help Oklahoma’s firefighters access lifesaving cancer screenings quietly became law last week without the governor’s signature. That happens when a measure reaches the governor’s desk during the current session and no action is taken within five days.
Carey Monroe, wife of Altus f irefighter David Monroe, is the passionate driving force behind the new law and worked tirelessly with Rep. Daniel Pae (R-Lawton) to craft and promote the proposal.
“I am relieved that we were able to get it passed,” Monroe said of the two-year process. “But it’s heartbreaking for me that something as important as saving firefighters’ lives wasn’t acknowledged by the governor with his signature.”
House Bill 2011, known as the “Fighting Chance for Firefighters Act” creates a tax credit of up to $250 per year for unreimbursed medical costs incurred by firefighters for cancer detection procedures. It will become effective Nov. 1, and the credit could begin in tax year 2026 and be carried forward for up to five years.
This is the second year that Pae has promoted the Act to help firefighters statewide. He, along with Rep. Gerrid Kendrix (R-Altus) introduced the measure during the 2024 legislative session. It passed unanimously in the House of Representatives but died after a second reading in the Senate. The 2025 bill is co-sponsored by Sen. Avery Frix (R-Muskogee).
Monroe said she felt an “oppressive conviction” in September 2023, while standing outside Station One in Altus for the funeral procession of Fire Chief Greg Cross, 57, who had succumbed to cancer. She was standing with young (and mostly pregnant) firefighters’ wives and knew she needed to do whatever she could to help keep family members from experiencing the loss of their loved ones.
In May, Monroe wrote a letter and sent an information packet to Gov. Kevin Stitt, urging him to sign HB 2011 into law after it had been approved by both legislative chambers.
“On September 23, 2023, the Altus Fire Chief succumbed to cancer at just 57 years old. He was a f irefighter for 29 years and his loss was devastating,” she wrote. “Over the years, I’ve heard my husband say many times how common cancer is among firefighters. With Chief Cross’ passing, I decided I needed to know for myself what the statistics were. Through my research I learned that the f irefighting profession has been declared carcinogenic to humans.
“All types of f ires create a mixture of toxic combustion products including liquids, gases, and particulate matter. Other exposures, such as diesel fumes, can come from vehicles at the scene of a fire or automobile accident. It has only been in the last few years that we have learned that f irefighter protective equipment can also contain chemicals that release suspected carcinogens called polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) also known as “forever chemicals” because they don’t break down in the environment or our bodies. For every 10 degrees above 100 degrees that f irefighters are exposed to while wearing their turnout gear, their dermal absorption rate goes up by 400%.
“Chief Cross is the third Altus f irefighter to die of ca ncer since my husband was hired in 2007. Tommy Sadler, a 37-year veteran firefighter, died in 2019 at 69 years old. Ralph Walker, a 23year veteran firefighter, died in 2020 at 57 years old. In January, Harrison Moseby – a young (26 years old) Tulsa firefighter – was laid to rest after losing his battle with cancer.”
Statistics show that cancer is the No. 1 cause of death for active-duty firefighters. In June 2022, according to a legis lative press release from Pae’s office, the International Agency for Research on Cancer, part of the World Health Organization, classified the firefighter occupation as carcinogenic to humans based on sufficient evidence for cancer in humans.
Monroe said she is very grateful to Pae.
“He took that ball and ran with it and worked so hard to bring awareness to this issue. He was so patient with me and helped me understand the process,” she said. “He believes in and supports common sense legislation.”
Pae said that HB 2011 is an opportunity to recognize that firefighters’ service doesn’t end when the flames are extinguished.
“The risks they carry linger for years in the form of long-term health impacts. By confronting cancer head-on and encouraging early detection, we can give all of Oklahoma's firefighters their best chance for a healthy and resilient future,” he said.
In addition to contacting Pae in 2023, the couple launched a campaign with treatment providers to get free cancer screenings. As a result, Cancer Centers of Southwest Oklahoma agreed to help and began offering free screenings for all f irst responders – including police and EMS – in February 2024.
“First responders of any kind can go and get a free comprehensive test at the Altus , Lawton or Duncan Cancer Centers of Southwest Oklahoma,” Monroe said. “When I heard that in the first year 155 people made appointments and were tested and 111 needed follow-up care, my knees almost buckled.”
She heard that fact while standing on stage and receiving an award from the Altus VFW Post 4786 in April as their “Firefighter of the Year” for the commitment, time and work of promoting the “Fighting Chance for Firefighter’s Act.” Monroe was called back up a second time during the awards ceremony and was presented the National VFW Life Saving Award and medal.
“What hit the hardest were the numbers … 155 screenings done and 111 had to be referred to their PCP (Primary Care Physician) for follow up care. That’s 72%!” she exclaimed. “I was so excited and humbled to accept these awards knowing what they mean. It means the program is working. It means fewer men and women have to die of this insidious disease.”
Monroe said that even with the passing of HB 2011 into law and the tax credit set to go into effect, the campaign is not over.
“I’m getting ready to send out another round of letters statewide to more hospitals and cancer centers asking for free screenings,” she said. “It’s so essential. The best chance of survival is when the disease is detected early.”