CONCORD, NH — Gov. Kelly Ayotte on April 6 launched the first day of testing for New Hampshire’s Firefighters First Cancer Screening Initiative alongside public safety leaders, cancer advocates, and fire chiefs from across the state. The state has invested $5 million in the program, which was approved by the Governor and Executive Council in December 2025.
Before outlining the program, Mark Wholey, director of the Division of Fire Standards and Training and Emergency Medical Services and retired Nashua Fire Rescue Assistant Fire Chief, asked those gathered to reflect on the toll cancer has taken within the fire service.
“If you’re in this room, I ask you to raise your hand if you’ve ever lost a brother or sister firefighter to cancer,” Wholey said. “Keep your hands up if you’ve lost a firefighter to occupational cancer. And raise your hand if you are a firefighter battling occupational cancer. Look around this room … this is what this program is all about. It’s about people — not just numbers.”
Wholey named firefighters who have died from occupational cancer, including Sarah Fox of Portsmouth, Kyle Jameson of Hampton, Darren Saban of Newington, Jess Wyman of Nashua, and Aaron Cooper of Keene. He also recognized those continuing to fight, including Jason Lambert, Eric Battistelli, Zach O’Brien, Elisa Folsom, and Mark Heber.
“And it’s about people like Glenn Telgen,” Wholey said, referring to the recently retired Nashua Deputy Fire Chief seated to his left. “There is no better firefighter out there than Glenn. No one better to work a fire on a hose line, no better officer to have your crew ready, and no one better to stand next to at a building fire.”
He would know – he mentioned he and Turgeon had gotten their start together at the Fire Training center 30 years ago, and worked side by side for many years in Nashua.
“Cancer has no idea the person it picked to fight when it picked Glenn Telgen,” Wholey said. “The numbers are important, but the people are just as important.”
Ayotte said the initiative aims to confront that reality head-on.
“We’ve lost too many of our firefighters far too young as a result of the hazards of their job,” said Ayotte. “I’m proud to launch this cancer screening pilot program today to ensure the men and women who put their lives on the line for our safety get the care they need. Early detection saves lives, and New Hampshire will continue to support our firefighters and ensure they have access to these critical screenings.”
The two-year pilot program, created by the Legislature and signed into law by former Gov. Chris Sununu in 2024, connects current and retired full-time firefighters with cancer screening opportunities to address the growing concern of cancers linked to the profession.
“Firefighters already risk their lives every time they answer a call,” said New Hampshire Department of Safety Commissioner Robert L. Quinn. “When that work exposes them to cancer-causing hazards, supporting them isn’t just necessary — it’s the right thing to do.”
Over the initial pilot period, the state will partner with third-party testing organizations to administer screenings to all eligible firefighters who choose to participate. The tests include a comprehensive blood panel, ultrasound imaging of multiple organs, and a lung CT scan — making New Hampshire the first state in the nation to offer all three at no cost.
“We are proud to facilitate the logistics of this statewide cancer screening pilot program, with 1,203 screenings scheduled in Phase I, which begins today,” Wholey said. “This reflects a strong partnership between the Division, the Professional Firefighters of New Hampshire, and the New Hampshire Association of Fire Chiefs, ensuring the state’s $5 million investment into firefighter wellness reaches those who need it.”
Among those sharing personal perspective was Telgen, who helped coordinate annual physicals for approximately 170 Nashua firefighters during his career and now faces his own cancer diagnosis.
“From my viewpoint, these exams are critical for two reasons,” Telgen said. “First, they help protect the overall health and wellness of our firefighters. Second — and just as important — they establish a documented baseline of medical history for every single member.”
Telgen was diagnosed with Stage 4 pancreatic cancer on Sept. 28, 2025 — a diagnosis he said underscores the importance of early detection.
“A few months into treatment, I asked my physician’s assistant, ‘Are we winning?’” he said. “She told me, ‘I’d say so. Had you not found this when you did, you wouldn’t be here today.’”
He said many firefighters may not have warning signs.
“In my case, I had symptoms. I had a reason to push for further testing,” Telgen said. “Many firefighters don’t. Serious conditions often develop quietly, without warning, until it’s too late to intervene effectively.”
Cancer is now the leading cause of death among firefighters, both active and retired, he noted — making early detection and routine screenings critical.
Telgen also pointed to another key benefit: documentation.
“I find myself at the beginning stages of a workers’ compensation battle,” he said. “My hope is that years of documented physicals showing no prior signs of illness will help support this process. Without that medical history, the road becomes much harder.”
He acknowledged speaking publicly was outside his comfort zone but said the message was too important not to share.
“Firefighters are conditioned to take care of everyone else first,” Telgen said. “These exams are about making sure we also take care of our own. If sharing my story leads to change for even one firefighter, or spares one family from unnecessary hardship, then it’s worth it.”
Eligible participants can learn more and schedule a screening at firefightersfirst.nh.gov.