Lebanon Fire District Supports Breast Cancer Awareness Month And Occupational Cancer Awareness (Photo) - 10/03/23
Lebanon, Ore.
October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, and all month long you’ll be seeing your #BestFirefightersAround in these pink duty shirts to help spread awareness, but we also want to take a moment to highlight all cancers, and the increased risk of cancer for firefighters.
On average, firefighters have a 9% higher risk of developing cancer, and a 14% higher risk of dying from cancer compared to the general public, according to the US Fire Administration. In fact, according to the International Association of Firefighters (IAFF), 60% of the firefighters added to the Fallen Firefighter Memorial Wall of Honor since 2002 have succumbed to cancer, making it the number one cause of firefighter line-of-duty deaths. Occupational cancers firefighters are most susceptible to include respiratory cancers, oral, esophageal and intestinal cancers, kidney cancer, testicular cancer, skin cancer, brain cancer, colon cancer and more.
Why is the occurrence of cancer so much higher in firefighters than the general public? Even with protective gear, firefighters are exposed to much higher levels of carcinogens when entering burning buildings. These contaminants can linger on gear and skin and be absorbed through physical contact, or inhaled when on fire scenes. Additionally, PFAS, known commonly as “forever chemicals,” are often used when making fire-resistant safety gear that adds to a firefighter’s risk of developing cancer.
At the Lebanon Fire District, we are committed to the safety and wellness of our firefighters who serve this community. Members of the District have traveled to conferences dedicated to firefighter health and safety and brought back valuable information when it comes to preventing occupational cancer. The new station being built will include a “clean” room, where firefighters will have the opportunity to perform gross decontamination procedures before entering the living quarters of the station. Exhaust fans that do a better job of filtering out harmful exhaust in the bays will also be installed. For our firefighters’ gear, our PPE procurement teams have already begun working with manufacturers to purchase gear that protects firefighters from contaminants during the next replacement cycles.
So, if you see your firefighters out and about in pink shirts this month, know that we are committed to spreading awareness of all types of cancers, and preventing occupational cancers of our own. Taking care of our firefighters’ health and wellness means they can take care of you.
