Firefighter Cancer
The cancer resource page features news, information, videos, podcasts and feature articles about this massive health issue facing the fire service.
USC research estimates retardant use has released 850,000 pounds of these chemicals into the environment since 2009
In 2024 16 states adopted 22 PFAS-related measures
Mold, cracks, age and a lack of funding make it difficult for fire departments to stay healthy
Trucker Dukes was diagnosed with neuroblastoma when he was 19 months old; he went through numerous rounds of chemotherapy
The Vancouver Fire Department team had already raised about $11,000 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society
FDNY firefighter Jimmy Martinez was diagnosed with cancer after the Sept. 11 attacks and has been in remission for over a year
In Missouri, Kansas and other states, the burden of proof that job exposures caused cancer falls on the firefighters or their survivors
Chief Kevin Brix was seen as a father figure and mentor to many younger firefighters
Some departments can only afford one set of turnout gear for each firefighter, which may not always be washed after each use
Capt. Brian Cherveny was diagnosed with throat cancer last year and underwent two surgeries
When Derek Geppert was diagnosed with a rare autoimmune disorder, his wife was diagnosed with cancer
The bill would provide coverage for firefighters who are diagnosed with digestive, urinary, prostate neurological or melanoma cancers
Battalion Chief Kevin Wise received a bone marrow transplant after battling leukemia last year
Philip Reeves was described as a dedicated firefighter who always made sure to do his best on every call
Firefighters Delmis Spivey and Wilfred Larson were denied benefits because the city and department stated they could not prove their cancer was work-related
FDNY firefighter Robert Newman is the fourth firefighter to die from a 9/11-related illness this year
A GoFundMe page has raised over $11,000 for Courtland Lambert’s 3-year-old son
Capt. Jeff Atkinson was diagnosed with testicular cancer, but was denied worker’s compensation
The registry would enable researchers to study the relationship between firefighters’ exposure to dangerous fumes and harmful toxins
Lt. Edith Torres was off-duty when the World Trade Center was struck, but she responded regardless
Doctors told firefighter Matt Sellers he had a 30 percent chance to live
When asked if he would still join the fire service knowing he’d get cancer, he said “absolutely”
Sara Thomas, 41, was a 16-year veteran firefighter and well-known throughout the community
Crews are pushing for a revised version of a bill, which limits eligibility to cancer-stricken firefighters living tobacco-free for five years prior to diagnosis
The bill requires that firefighters working for at least a year with a department receive a lump payment if diagnosed with certain cancers
The test detects a protein in the blood that is present in malignant cells
Brandon Thibeau, 22, was named his department’s Firefighter of the Year in 2016; he died from cancer last week
Brandon Thibeau, 22, was remembered as motivated, compassionate and strong-willed
A video captured Chief Henri Moore’s arrival and included numerous messages from colleagues wishing him well
Sara Thomas, 41, leaves behind her 7-year-old twin daughters
Firefighter Brian J. Masterson, 61, died of esophageal cancer; he leaves behind a wife and three children
Families of volunteer firefighter and volunteer ambulance workers who are killed in the line of duty would receive payment of death benefits
Fire Chief John Ruh said Halina Kline, 56, acted as a “mom to everyone”
