Firefighter Cancer
The cancer resource page features news, information, videos, podcasts and feature articles about this massive health issue facing the fire service.
Legislation signed by Governor Maura Healey will require manufacturers to disclose if they are using per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances
Adopt a Firefighter is working to fund cancer detection among firefighters in three cities
Firefighter Shawn Calvey, 37, was diagnosed with esophageal cancer in May 2023
Deputy Fire Chief Jim Martin’s cancer was occupationally related and is being considered a line-of-duty death
Logic predicts a decline in firefighter cancer, but what tomorrow’s furniture is made of remains a wildcard
With no standards to guide us, the best way to do gross decontamination on scene is anyone’s guess
Officials are also working on purchasing a set of back up gear for each firefighter, along with an extra protective hood
Losing a partner in this field cuts deeper than in most; here’s a reflection on my recent loss and what it means to me
Three doctors were unable to definitely determine a “causal relationship” between his cancer and his experiences on the job
Write-in candidate Rhonda Appelgate said the death of a firefighter should not be more special than any other death
Mark Farren, 58, died after a three-year battle with cancer; he served as chief for 32 years
By testing firefighters before and after overhaul activities, researchers hope to quantify their exposure risk to deadly airborne materials
Fabric of the Fire Service winner Tim Moore beat cancer twice with the support of his department
Kathy Crosby-Bell, the mother of fallen firefighter Michael Kennedy, is devoting her life to making firefighting safer
Police, firefighters and EMTs all showed up for a drink after the boy’s stand was stolen and then recovered
Researchers are taking on the monumental task of finding a verifiable, measurable method for removing contaminants for firefighting turnout gear
A physician said racial bias in the workplace could be one reason minority firefighters develop cancer at higher rates
Chief: “We need to change the culture of the way we think, the way we look at it from day one.”
We say we’ll do anything to prevent cancer, but that’s not true; look at how often we don’t wear SCBA and other protective gear
He said training through chemotherapy was a struggle at first, but he was able to push through it
Fire commissioner: Chief failed “to take precautionary measures to ensure the safety of the public and members of the department”
More than a dozen firefighters and three fire trucks kept his mind on the thing he loves and off of his brain tumor
Capt. John Bassett’s wife was diagnosed with leukemia; fire departments are hosting a motorcycle ride to raise money
Capt. Maria Silva, a 15-year veteran, was diagnosed with thyroid cancer; she has been left with no income and no medical benefits to help her pay for care
It will ban four chemical fire retardants that some fear are responsible for a dramatic rise of cancer in firefighters
The lawsuit alleges that the city knew of the toxic levels of radon gas in its fire stations during the time he was employed
James McGarrigle, 67, landed by helicopter on a roof and saved trapped firefighters from one of the city’s deadliest fires
New testing examines how particles can penetrate firefighter protective gear with some surprising results
Here is a look at why two metro fire departments pulled their turnout gear cleaning and inspection in-house
Officials said the chemicals have been linked to cancer; they’re hoping to find another non-toxic solution
The hockey game helped raise funds for Morgan Nolen, who was diagnosed with Stage 4 Ganglion Neuroblastoma earlier this year
His wife is seven months pregnant; they had chosen the name Mason James, but she changed it to Mason Rafael
Rafael Garcia’s wife is seven months pregnant with a boy to be named Mason James
