Information and Statistics About Cancer in the Fire Service

The First Step to Preventing Cancer

is changing the culture in the firehouse. Soot-laden turnout gear and helmets can no longer be viewed as a badge of honor. Firefighters can take the following measures immediately to help protect themselves from carcinogens. After every exposure to smoke:  

  • Use your SCBA (self-contained breathing apparatus) during overhaul.

  • Wipe your skin – especially the neck and face - with decontamination wipes as soon as possible after the exposure.   

  • Remove as much soot and particulates as possible from gear and equipment (gross decontamination).   Firefighters absorb harmful chemicals through their skin.

  • Change your clothes and wash them immediately after a fire.

  • Shower thoroughly after a fire.

  • Incident commanders can keep mutual aid coverage and callbacks until the duty shift completes the measures above.

  • Wash structural gear and PPE after each fire in an approved gear extractor. This includes hoods, gloves, and helmet liners. Use a qualified contract service if you can't access an approved gear extractor.  Air dry gear or use an approved gear dryer.  

  • Thoroughly clean/decontaminate helmets (inside and out), boots, SCBA, radios, hand lights, etc.

  • Thoroughly clean/decontaminate the inside of the cab and riding positions on the fire apparatus.

  • Have a vigorous athletic workout within 12 hours; this helps rid the body of contaminants.

  • Use diesel exhaust extraction systems.

  • Store PPE away from apparatus floor.

  • Transport structural gear/PPE in a personal vehicle ONLY if: it is in a vapor-tight bag; in the trunk of a car or bed of a truck. Never transport in the passenger compartment.   

  • Get an annual comprehensive firefighter physical exam with emphasis on cancer screening.

  • Document any exposures you may have.  (NFORS has an app you can put on your phone to track exposures).

  • Always avoid cross-contamination. Never allow structural gear/PPE in living quarters.

Alarming Statistics

The Firefighter Cancer Support Network (FCSN) published Taking Action Against Cancer in 2013. The white paper covers firefighter cancer. It includes:

  • prevention;

  • diagnosis;

  • treatment;

  • and long term implications for the firefighter, firefighters’ family, co-workers, and community.

The research shows that firefighters are at greater risk than the general public for these cancers:

  • testicular cancer (2.02 times greater risk);

  • multiple myeloma (1.53 times greater risk);

  • non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (1.51 times greater risk);

  • skin cancer (1.39 times greater risk) ;

  • malignant melanoma (1.31 times greater risk);

  • prostate cancer (1.28 times greater risk);

  • brain cancer (1.31 times greater risk);

  • colon cancer (1.21 times greater risk);

  • leukemia (1.14 times greater risk);

  • and breast cancer in women (preliminary results). 

The study demonstrates that cancer is an under-recognized threat to the health of firefighters. You can read and download a copy of the study here: firefightercancersupport.org.