Andy Bowers

🏥😷 FIREFIGHTING CANCERS 😷🏥 As firefighters we’re all well aware of the risks and dangers that come with our profession. This can range from smoke inhalation and burns, all the way through to death in the line of duty, we put our lives on the line every day to protect our communities. However, there is one risk that may not be as well-known, but is making waves and becoming a more common topic for discussion, and that’s the increased risk of cancer. According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), firefighters have a higher risk of certain types of cancer than the general population. This is due to exposure to various carcinogens and toxins that are released during fires and also potentially HAZMAT incidents. Some of the most common types of cancer that firefighters are at an increased risk for include: 🔥 Lung cancer: Firefighters are exposed to a variety of chemicals and toxins that can damage the lungs, including carbon monoxide, benzene, and formaldehyde. 🔥 Skin cancer: Firefighters are often exposed to the sun while on duty, which can increase the risk of skin cancer. 🔥 Bladder cancer: Firefighters are exposed to chemicals that can be absorbed into the body through the skin or inhaled, which can increase the risk of bladder cancer. 🔥 Prostate cancer: Firefighters may be exposed to chemicals that can affect hormone levels, which can increase the risk of prostate cancer. While we cannot eliminate all of the risks associated with our job, there are steps we can all take to reduce our own personal risk of cancer. Here are a few tips: 🚒 Always wear the correct level of PPE/RPE: Make sure that you are wearing the appropriate protective equipment, this can help reduce your exposure to harmful chemicals and toxins. 🚒 Wash your PPE/RPE/Equipment: After a fire, make sure to wash your everything (including yourself) thoroughly to remove any toxins that may have accumulated on it. 🚒 Practise good hygiene: Shower as soon as possible after a fire to remove any toxins that may be on your skin, I’d recommend wipes on scene followed by showering within an hour as we’ve heard lots about in the FBU DECON campaign. 🚒 Regular Health Screening: Get regular check-ups with your doctor/occupational health team to monitor your health, and catch any potential issues early on. 🚒 Log Incidents: Log any incidents in which you have been exposed to harmful materials or chemicals, and the length of exposure. 🚒 Debrief Later: Complete debriefs once back on station, clean and showered. As firefighters, we’re trained to be calm, collective and resilient in the face of dangers. However, it is important that we also take care of ourselves and protect ourselves from the long-term risks associated with our job, which have now been recognised globally by many including the @WHO. If we take the above simple steps such as showering within the hour, wearing the correct PPE etc, we can reduce our risk of cancer and continue to serve our communities for years to come.