Firefighter Cancer
The cancer resource page features news, information, videos, podcasts and feature articles about this massive health issue facing the fire service.
After battling cancer and enduring costly treatments, Westport Firefighter Paul Spennato advocates for early detection to protect his fellow firefighters
Fire service leaders must focus on data, not emotion, when make their case for funding, staffing and more
Free screenings would begin in a firefighter’s fifth year of employment, but concerns remain over funding, as the legislation lacks state financial support
As firefighters learn more about increased risk for cancer, they should protect themselves in case of a future cancer diagnosis by documenting exposure
State legislation in recent years to expand firefighter death benefits and workers’ compensation in cancer cases has died without floor votes
The Richmond Fire Department has continued a tradition of raising awareness with the entire department wearing T-shirts acknowledging specific types of cancer
Mason Anderson, whose firefighter father died of cancer in 2017, started Brave the Shave after his mother was diagnosed with breast cancer
After Blake Rine was diagnosed with cancer, he traveled around Ohio warning firefighters of their exposure to carcinogens, prompting fire departments to make changes
The Hattiesburg Fire Department raised $1,400 for Harlie Williams, 8, who was the recipient of their annual No Shave November fundraiser
FDNY EMT Felipe Torre , 54, succumbed to Ground Zero-related gall bladder cancer while under hospice care
To improve the health of Boynton Beach’s first responders, the city plans to install exhaust removal systems inside five fire stations
Consider your station’s unique needs to plan for appropriate PPE storage that prevents contamination
A judge ruled in favor of firefighter Homer Salinas after the city insurance carrier refused to cover treatment costs for his kidney cancer
Prince George’s County Fire/EMS Department firefighter Jesse McCullough died after battling cancer since 2017
The Woodlands Fire Department is seeking options for enhanced cancer screenings for firefighters as cancer becomes more prevalent in the profession
To help firefighters decrease their risk of cancer, Fire Marshal Jimmy Patronis is giving decontamination kits to every station in Florida
The Montana State Firemen’s Association is pushing to get a health and safety bill passed that would give firefighters financial coverage if they get cancer
Firefighter-EMT Vicki Kalmar was diagnosed with a fast-progressing form of Stage 3 cervical cancer in May and is currently undergoing her first rounds of treatment
An initial study of turnout gear by researchers at the University of Notre Dame found that the turnout gear samples were “loaded with fluorine”
The city filed suit in 2017 to dispute a judge’s decision that firefighter Carrie Stewart should receive workers’ compensation after her cancer diagnosis
Over 1,000 firefighters and members of the FDNY have been diagnosed with forms of cancer, respiratory problems or other 9/11-related illnesses
Protect, clean and decontaminate with products that meet the highest standards
Jimmy Martinez, a World Trade Center and Hurricane Sandy first responder, died after a long battle with bone marrow cancer
Each kit includes a 5-gallon bucket, detergents, scrub brushes, hoses and spray bottles to help first responders wash soot from their gear
Measuring the irritants and cancer-causing contaminates present in structure fires proves SCBA should be used even when carbon monoxide levels are deemed acceptable
The ruling means Will Willis’ family will receive full benefits offered to any other firefighter who died in the line of duty
The law means medical treatments and time off due to their illness will be covered for all firefighters diagnosed with cancer
Learn about common cancer-causing agents firefighters face and the importance of wearing proper PPE
The bills were signed in honor of firefighter Victor Breeden, who lost his battle with cancer that he got from inhaling dangerous toxins
The Centers for Disease Control will track cancer rates among firefighters for the next five years
Researchers are investigating whether Seattle Fire Department Station 31 firefighters were diagnosed with cancer at higher rates than other firefighters
The family of Margaret Roberts, a 21-year fire veteran who died of cancer, is fighting with the city of Houston about whether her cancer was caused by her career
Mileena Painter, who is battling leukemia, will soon receive hundreds of patches that have been collected from all over the world
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