March 22, 2021
Not all of these methods are possible in every department; some of these ideas may be difficult to accept. But we must make changes to reduce the number of members being diagnosed with cancer.
There is no question that we have a cancer problem in the fire service and that we must revise some of our practices. We must do something differently or continue to lose our brother and sister firefighters—and possibly ourselves—to cancer.
-Use SCBA from Initial attack to finish of overhaul
-Do gross decon of PPE while on the scene
-Use cleansing wipes to remove as much soot as possible
-Change your clothes and wash them
-Shower thoroughly after a fire
-Clean your PPE
-Do not take contaminated clothes or PPE home
-Decon fire apparatus
-Keep bunker gear out of living and sleeping quarters
-Don’t use tobacco products
-Use sunscreen or sunblock
-Schedule annual medical exams
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Firefighters' Association
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P.O. Box 211725
Columbia, South Carolina 29210
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