The Owensboro Fire Department is working to reduce the risk of developing duty-related cancer for their firefighters, including limiting exposure to cancer-causing substances.
Fire Chief James Howard said that on a national level, firefighters are at a 14% higher risk of dying from cancer. He said they also have an increased risk of contracting certain types of cancer including testicular, mesothelioma, multiple myeloma, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and skin cancers.
“When you look at those numbers and how much worse they are for those in the fire service, it really hits us pretty hard,” Howard said.
James said one of the primary causes for the higher risk is general exposure during combustion events. While putting out a fire, the firefighters are exposed to chemicals in gaseous form and particulate matter — such as benzene, formaldehyde, and asbestos — making it easier to accidentally breathe in or ingest.
He added that the chemicals can also get into the equipment and contaminate other objects.
“The exposure risk can continue long after the fire is out because the gear that the firefighters are actually wearing has been exposed to that, and it can be taken with you if it’s not properly decontaminated. That includes the coat and pants, but it also includes the respiratory protection,” he said.
As OFD moves forward with Operation Firehouse, Howard said they will implement some of the best practices from the International Fire Chiefs Association to lower the chance of contamination and exposure inside the facilities.
That includes cleaning the gear and equipment upon return to the station. The firefighters would also need to bathe within the hour and separate the potentially contaminated clothing.
“This stuff gets in your hair. It gets under your nails. It’s very pervasive. So making sure that you’re getting cleaned up properly before you get back on the truck is vital,” Howard said.
They are also building the stations with a cold, warm, and hot zone layout to ensure contaminants do not come into contact with the living spaces of the station. For example, a warm area would serve as a transitional area where gear can be dropped off and washed.
