The International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) is rallying stakeholders from various sectors to implement a holistic strategy aimed at curtailing the menace of fire fighter occupational cancer.

Fire fighter cancer: a growing concern

“All of us have lost friends to cancer,” General President Edward Kelly voiced at the 2023 US Fire Administrator’s Summit on Fire Prevention and Control last week.

“We need to do whatever it takes to end this menace within the fire service.”

Kelly emphasised the importance of immediate action and proposed a comprehensive fire fighter cancer prevention strategy.

This strategy would focus on investment in pivotal research programmes, particularly those that highlight the most significant cancer threats to fire fighters.

In addition, it will advocate for routine cancer screenings, further education, and training to better comprehend the heightened risks.

Uniformity in coverage and benefits

Kelly also discussed the discrepancies in cancer presumption coverage across US states and Canadian provinces.

He suggested a national presumption coverage for every fire fighter diagnosed with cancer.

Furthermore, the IAFF endorsed the augmentation of the Public Safety Officer Benefit (PSOB) Program.

This expansion would encompass line-of-duty deaths and lasting disabilities resulting from occupational cancer.

Stakeholder responses and commitments

The U.S. Fire Administrator’s Summit saw the participation of numerous fire service members, officials, and scholars.

It was conducted at the National Emergency Training Summit in Emmitsburg, Maryland. US President Joe Biden, addressing the attendees virtually, lauded the fire fighters, referring to them as: “the heart of the community.”

He emphasised the administration’s support for the fire service, citing:

• $350 billion from the American Rescue Plan designated for first responders.
• A 2023 budget request amounting to $320 million for federal grants to aid new recruitment and equipment procurement.
• Support for various legislative measures, such as the presumptive cancer legislation and the Federal Firefighters Fairness Act.

Department of Homeland Security Secretary, Alejandro Mayorkas, highlighted the continuous challenges fire fighters face.

These include increasing forest fires, threats from lithium battery fires, and mental health challenges.

Mayorkas summarised: “The character of the fire fighter remains unwavering: brave, duty-bound, community-focused, and ever-ready to sacrifice.”

Call for self-advocacy

Amidst the support and pledges, Patrick Morrison, IAFF’s Chief of Field Services, stressed the importance of self-advocacy within the fire service.

He underscored that early cancer screenings could notably elevate survival rates.

He also encouraged fire fighters to register on the National Firefighter Registry for Cancer to advance research on fire fighter occupational cancer.

IFSJ Comment

The correlation between the fire service and cancer incidence demands immediate attention.

The firefighting community has persistently been at the frontline, ensuring our safety.

Their occupational hazards, however, put them at an elevated risk of health complications, especially cancer.

Comprehensive strategies, like the one proposed by the IAFF, not only recognise the grave issue but also provide actionable steps to address it.

Adequate funding, early detection through screening, and consistent research are critical components in this fight.

The community’s well-being is paramount, and such initiatives are a testament to that commitment.