JANUARY IS FIREFIGHTER CANCER AWARENESS MONTH

January marks Firefighter Cancer Prevention Month. According to NIOSH (the National Institute for Occupational Health and Safety), firefighters have a 14% higher chance of getting cancer than the public.

Here are some cancer prevention tips for our friends in the firefighting community:

WEAR YOUR P.P.E. AT ALL TIMES

  • Wear PPE even after the fire is out, at small fires and during overhaul.

PROPERLY DON P.P.E. 

  • Properly don PPE at all incidents and ensure crew members do also.

POST FIRE PROCEDURES

CLEAN & DECONTAMINATE YOUR P.P.E.

  • Reduce chemical exposure risk by regularly cleaning your personal protective equipment. Studies have shown PPE, neck skin and hand skin are most susceptible to PAH contamination during firefighting.
  • Establish policies for mandatory decontamination whenever crews move from the fire ground. This includes:
    • Using hose lines to perform gross decontamination of bunker gear and SCBAs
    • Providing wet wipes to remove contaminants from all exposed skin
    • Switching crews to B-set gear (if available) until contaminated gear can be cleaned
  • Ensure all crew members change and wash uniform clothing immediately upon returning to the station and can “shower within the hour.”
  • Station policies often include the route washing of apparatus. Similar policies should address the routine washing of hoods and other PPE.
  • Ensure personnel are properly trained and use in-station diesel exhaust systems.
  • Establish policies for proper storage of PPE and prohibition of it in living quarters.
  • Establish and use personnel injury reporting systems to establish records of exposures.
  • Advocate for the establishment of, and participation in, ongoing occupational medical surveillance.

TRAINING & TACTICS

  • Treat every fire as hazardous materials call—because it is.
  • Include smoke hazards at planning and briefing sessions and in fire behavior forecasts.
  • If possible, conduct overhaul 45 minutes after fire extinguishment to allow time for toxic gases to dissipate, and ensure all crew performing overhaul operations continue to wear SCBA.

SCHEDULE A CANCER SCREENING

  • Ask your doctor if you need more frequent cancer screenings.