Saving Our Own – Taking Action Against Cancer in the Fire Service
(Room 3A)
27 Feb 16
1:00 PM
-
2:30 PM
Discussion of cancer in the fire service needs to become a more prominent topic. The number of firefighters with cancer is increasing and it appears the fire service is finally realizing the need to take more proactive steps to protect its personnel. The fire service and each individual in the fire service must place cancer prevention and detection as a high priority item. For the presenter, cancer has been on the top of his priority list since his diagnosis with stage 4 cancer of the liver in 2015. The cancer was found purely by accident and treatment options were minimal. Fortunately, with a great medical team and tremendous support from his personal and fire service family, the cancer went into remission, but it will be back. In this very personal presentation, the presenter will define the scope of the cancer problem in the fire service; discuss the increase in toxic agents in today’s fire environment; identify routes of exposure to cancer causing agents; discuss common firefighter exposures to carcinogens; review cancer prevention steps; and define and discuss presumptive disability laws and other available resources.