Its a statistic no one likes to read.
Between 2012-2014, 300 firefighters died in NYS.
52% of the deaths were caused by cancer.
69% of firefighters get some form of cancer. 60% will die from cancer.
These statistics have firefighters worried.
On Monday night representatives from 13 different fire departments from four counties showed up for a presentation at City Centre called “YOU as a Firefighter and Cancer” presented by Mahlon Irish Jr.
The event was hosted by the City of Batavia Fire Department and the International Association of Firefighters/Local 896.
Irish has put in 43 years in the fire service.
He spent a little over 20 years with the City of Ithaca Fire Department and retired from there in 2012. Irish also is a volunteer firefighter with the Homer Fire Department and is currently their Chief.
In 2014, Irish was diagnosed with prostate cancer and his world was turned upside down.
“I couldn’t talk about it,” says Irish.
“Because of the organs it affects and the side effects, the sexual activity and all that stuff. Then I got to thinking about it, someone needs to tell other guys what can happen and what’s going on if they don’t protect themselves.”
So in in 2015, Irish decided he would share his story to get the message out. He has met with 100 fire departments and about 1,000 firefighters. He says he is still fighting cancer as it has gone into his skeletal system and he is currently taking medications for it.
“The biggest thing is clean up after a fire,” says Irish.
“Start washing turn out gear on the fire ground, take it off and don’t ride with it in the back of the truck. Put the gear in a garbage bag and take it back and wash it, take a shower, get yourself cleaned up.”
Irish says these practices are all relatively new things that have been learned in the past five years.
“Cancer is the number one killer of firefighters,” says Capt. Robert Fix.
“People who worked at Ground Zero, we are losing them, one a week sometimes.”
Fix says the City of Batavia Fire Department does as much as they can do to protect themselves, he says they wear masks so they don’t breath in any harmful chemicals.
“Today’s fires burn hotter and faster with many plastics so they give off more gases and chemicals than can be absorbed into the skin.”
(File-Elba fire Thanksgiving day 2016)
Minimizing exposure to cancer causing agents is now a main goal of all fire companies around the United States. New procedures are being recommended for decontaminating yourself at the scene and at the fire station. Irish says it’s almost like every fire is a hazmat situation.
(File-garage fire City of Batavia)
A study was completed using three fire companies.
San Francisco which has 1800 firefighters, Chicago with 4,881and Philadelphia with 2,475 firefighters.
The study looks into 38,000 current and retired firefighters from 1950-2010.
The study also found that skin’s permeability increased with temperature and for every 5% increase in skin temperature, absorption increases 400%.
Skin absorption areas for firefighters
- groin area 300%
- jaw area 93%
- forehead 43%
- scalp 25%
- back 12%
The graphic above shows particle penetration after exposure at a fire. Smoke easily penetrates clothing.
According to the study, exposure to cancer causing agents likely occurs on the fire ground as well as in the aftermath of firefighting activity, especially if the clothing is not cleaned.
Many times fire crews will smell of smoke sometimes even after repeated showers.
Decon Kits are now being produced for cleanup after fire fighting
Decontamination at the scene should consist of
- use wet wipes to clean face and hands
- wash down the self contained breathing apparatus
- remove turnouts and put them in garbage bags to return to station(don’t wear them in the apparatus)
- have spare clothing to change into
Decontamination at the station should consist of
- wash all turnout gear including helmet,liners hood, gloves and SCBA
- shower as soon as you return(hot steamy shower is best)
- wash all clothing
- change into clean uniform/clothes(including under garments)
City of Batavia Fire Chief Steve Napolitano says City Fire is looking to enact different methodology and different techniques in order to minimize exposure.
“For an old dog like me, right now, being in the fire service 33 years I wish I could hit the reset button,” says Napolitano.
“So for all you young firefighters please listen to what is being said here, this way you can have a long healthy career and post life after this.”