Fire fighter occupational cancer is the leading cause of line-of-duty deaths in the fire service.

At the 2022 IAFF Fallen Fire Fighter Memorial, almost 75% of the names added to the wall (348 out of 469) were members who had died from occupational cancer.

In partnership with the Firefighter Cancer Support Network (FCSN), the IAFF has designated January as Fire Fighter Cancer Awareness Month to provide fire fighters the necessary tools and guidance to develop life-saving protocols for cancer prevention and to support those with a cancer diagnosis within their departments.

Bringing increased public awareness to occupational cancer in the fire service will help generate greater legislative support for states and provinces to establish presumptive disabilities for all cancers affecting fire fighters.

#FFCancerMonth #ExtinguishCancer

January Is Fire Fighter Cancer Awareness Month

The content on this webpage is designed to educate IAFF leaders, members, and their fire departments on why fire fighters are getting cancer and provide best practices on how to limit day-to-day exposures to carcinogens.

Each week focuses on a specific theme (see tabs on the left). By the end of the month, members, locals, and fire departments will have the knowledge and resources to understand how fire fighters are exposed to carcinogens, what happens when they are exposed, how to prevent exposures, make culture changes in their department, and assist those who are diagnosed with cancer.

All resources are available to review at your convenience, but we encourage you to hold a weekly safety stand down in your department. In addition to weekly content, the training briefs should be used as discussion tools to educate fire fighters on reducing the risk of occupational cancer.

Fire Fighter Cancer Awareness Month takes place in January, but these resources can be shared throughout the year. We encourage you to check back frequently for more information about specific topics.

#FFCancerMonth #ExtinguishCancer

Week 1: The Scope of the Cancer Problem in the Fire Service


The first week of the Fire Fighter Cancer Awareness Month addresses why cancer is the number-one line-of-duty death in the fire service. Additionally, the content defines cancer, explains the scope of occupational cancer in the fire service and identifies carcinogens, occupational exposures, and other chemicals found in products of combustion (smoke, etc.).

To get the most from this week, we recommend taking one day this week to conduct a Safety Stand Down. All resources are also available to review at your convenience.


Week 2: Scientific Research Related to Occupational Cancer


With an understanding of cancer in the fire service, use this week to explore scientific research that identifies the link between occupational exposures and cancer rates among fire fighters. Additionally, this week looks at research on screening for cancer and exposure routes.

To get the most from this week, we recommend taking one day this week to conduct a Safety Stand Down. All resources are also available to review at your convenience.


Week 3: Prevention, Education, and Best Practices


Turn knowledge into action. Cancer is a big issue facing the fire service, but you can prevent or limit your exposure to carcinogens. This week addresses best practices that should be followed on the fire ground, at the station, and in your personal lives. They include on-scene gross decontamination, the clean cab concept, and modifiable risk factors.

To get the most from this week, we recommend taking one day this week and conduct a Safety Stand Down. All resources are also available to review at your convenience


 

 

Week 4: Leadership, Survivorship, and Culture Change


Fire Fighter Cancer Awareness Month is nearing the end, but the work does not stop when January is over! Week four helps guide you through how to support your fellow brothers and sisters who have been diagnosed with cancer and provide resources to assist with organizational culture change that favors cancer prevention practices and how to get support from leadership.

Week four includes two separate sections of information: one for Leadership and Survivorship, and one for Culture Change.

To get the most from this week, we recommend taking one day this week and conduct a Safety Stand Down. All resources are also available to review at your convenience.


Leadership and Survivorship

  • Personal Story: “When I Retire”: Boston Fire Department recruits talk about their future. 
  • Research:
    • Cancer Incidence Among Firefighters: 45 Years of Follow-Up in Five Nordic Countries 
      The five Nordic countries that participated in this project were Norway, Iceland, Sweden, Finland and Denmark. They studied 16,422 fire fighters and found elevated cancer rates for seven types of cancers. Some of these associations have been observed previously, and it was found that exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, asbestos and shiftwork involving disruption of circadian rhythms may partly explain these results. Although this specific research project was focused on predominantly white male fire fighters, there is a need and a plan to include research for a diversified workforce. This includes and identifies a variety of risks and challenges for diverse ethnic groups and female fire fighters.  
  • Educational Presentation:
    • Module 4: Survivorship (UPDATED for 2023): This presentation shares specific strategies for supporting a fire fighter who has been diagnosed with cancer. Note: Make sure you view the presentation in “presenter mode” to capture the instructor notes for the slides. 
  • Survivor Stories:
  • Leadership/Survivorship:
  • Video Resource:
  • Factsheets:
  • Training Brief:
  • Podcast:
    • Cancer Resources for Fire Fighters: Firefighter Cancer Support Network (FCSN)’s Chief Operations Officer Joe Schumacher and the American Cancer Society (ACS) Senior Director of Field Corporate Strategy and Operations Kim Bruna highlight the cancer resources available for fire fighters through their partnerships with the IAFF. They highlight online resources, hotlines, and support services both organizations offer, and how those who are diagnosed with cancer or know someone who is diagnosed can access those resources.

Culture Change

  • Cancer Prevention:
    • Firefighter Cancer Initiative: “Clean Your Gear”: Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center of Miami and the Firefighter Cancer Initiative highlight the importance of cleaning all PPE to reduce your exposure to harmful carcinogens.areer and volunteer, active, and retired — should consider participating in the NFR. This includes fire fighters who have never received a cancer diagnosis, previously had cancer, or currently have cancer. 
  • National Firefighter Registry Informational Video (NEW)
    The National Firefighter Registry (NFR) will be used to track and analyze cancer trends and risk factors among the U.S. fire service to help the public safety community, researchers, scientists, and medical professionals find better ways to protect those who protect our communities and environment.
  • Research:
  • Educational Presentation:
    • Module 5: The Need for Culture Change (UPDATED for 2023): A PowerPoint presentation describing the reason a culture change is needed for fire fighter health, safety, and cancer prevention. Note: Make sure you view the presentation in “presenter mode” to capture the instructor notes for the slides. 
  • Survivor Story:
  • Leadership/Survivorship:
  • Factsheets: 

Factsheets (NEW for 2023)


Factsheets: 2021-2022


Survivor Stories (NEW for 2023)


Survivor Stories (2021-2022)


Podcasts (NEW for 2023)


Podcast 1: Firefighters Attacking the Cancer Epidemic (FACE) Teams

Sam Eaton (Palm Beach County, FL Local 2928 [retired]) and Chris Bator (Metro-Broward, FL Local 3080) from the Florida Firefighters Safety and Health Collaborative discuss how cancer in the fire service has impacted their departments and how this led to the creation of Firefighters Attacking the Cancer Epidemic “FACE” Teams.


Podcast 2: PFAS Concerns

Jason Burns (Fall River, MA Local 1314) and IAFF Chief Science Advisor Derek Urwin (Los Angeles County, CA Local 1014) discuss per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) – a class of toxic chemicals fire fighters are exposed to. They highlight the concerns for fire fighters and the impact on departments.


Podcast 3: Cancer Prevention and Early Detection

Firefighter Cancer Support Network (FCSN)’s Russ Osgood and DetecTogether’s Heather Maykel discuss how fire fighters can be their own advocate and how they can detect cancer earlier by utilizing the DetecTogether program. Russ and Heather explain some of the educational components of the training and tools to advocate for additional screenings.


Podcast 4: Cancer Resources for Fire Fighters

Firefighter Cancer Support Network (FCSN)’s Chief Operations Officer Joe Schumacher and the American Cancer Society (ACS) Senior Director of Field Corporate Strategy and Operations Kim Bruna highlight the cancer resources available for fire fighters through their partnerships with the IAFF. They highlight online resources, hotlines, and support services both organizations offer, and how those who are diagnosed with cancer or know someone who is diagnosed can access those resources.

2022 Podcasts

Podcast 1: Cancer Goes Beyond the Fire Station

Chrystal Woodcock and Captain Shawn Griffin discuss losing a husband and best friend to occupational cancer, including the impact losing a loved one has on a family and department support during a cancer diagnosis.


Podcast 2: What Is Cancer Insurance?

The IAFF Financial Corporation COO Kurt Becker and Director of Insurance Sara McMullin discuss what the IAFF Financial Corporation is, how it benefits members and what services are available, including the new cancer supplemental insurance options.


Podcast 3: Fire Fighter Cancer Cohort Study

Dr. Jeff Burgess and IAFF Director Derek Urwin discuss the Fire Fighter Cancer Cohort Study, diving into the purpose of the study and what they see as the next steps.


Podcast 4: Turning a Cancer Diagnosis Into Support for Others

Dan King, a cancer survivor and FCSN mentor, joins us to discuss his diagnosis and treatment and how his experiences and lessons learned led him to become an FCSN mentor.


Podcast 5: Research Drives Culture Change

Dr. Sara Janke and Bryan Frieders (FCSN) discuss issues female fire fighters face, behavioral health, stress and relevant research that demonstrates the need for culture changes in the fire service to reduce occupational cancer.


2021 Podcasts

Podcast 1: The National Firefighter Registry

For the first week in the Fire Fighter Cancer Awareness Month podcast series, IAFF staff is joined by Dr. Kenny Fent and Dr. Miriam Siegel from NIOSH to discuss the National Firefighter Registry (NFR). Listen along to better understand what the NFR is, the legislative efforts behind getting the registry created, why it was created, who can join the registry and how the registry can be used to better understand occupational cancer in the fire service.


Podcast 2: The Firefighter Cancer Support Network – Survivorship and Support

IAFF staff sit down with the president of the Firefighter Cancer Support Network (FCSN), Bryan Frieders, to discuss the organization’s rise and structure, its mission to keep fire fighters safe, its alliance with the IAFF and the resources the FCSN provides in support of fire fighters who have received a cancer diagnosis. Bryan also explains efforts being taken by the FCSN to reduce cancer exposures in the fire service.


Podcast 3: Labor-Management Relations – Navigating Cancer in the Fire Service

In this episode, IAFF staff talk with Garland, TX Local 1293 President Bill Crews and Fire Chief Mark Lee about the benefits of having a positive labor/management relationship in place to strengthen cancer prevention efforts and take care of members when they are diagnosed.


Podcast 4: Cancer – Science, Research and Best Practices

IAFF staff are joined by Dr. Aisha Rivera from Johns Hopkins University and Racquel Segall from the IAFF’s Health and Safety Department to discuss the science around cancer in the fire service, research projects the IAFF is involved with, prevention best practices and how the IAFF can assist departments with cancer questions.

Research (NEW for 2023)


Factsheets: Firefighter Cancer Types 

Research on different cancer types that firefighters have an elevated risk for.

Center for Fire, Rescue & EMS Health Research, NDRI-USA, Inc.

Authors: Walker S. Carlos Poston, Ph.D., M.P.H., FACE; Sara A. Jahnke, Ph.D., FACE; Maria DH Koeppel, Ph.D.; Christopher K. Haddock, Ph.D., PStat®

  1. Firefighters and Cervical Cancer
  2. Firefighters and Colorectal Cancer
  3. Firefighters and Esophageal Cancer
  4. Firefighters and Kidney Cancer

Recommended Research Studies (Free):

  1. Andrew P.W. Banks, Xianyu Wang, Michelle Engelsman, Chang He, Andres F. Osorio, Jochen F. Mueller. Assessing decontamination and laundering processes for the removal of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and flame retardants from firefighting uniforms. Environmental Research March 2021.
  2. Tiwari S, Sapkota N, Han Z. Effect of fasting on cancer: A narrative review of scientific evidence. Cancer Science August 2022.
  3. Fent KW, Toennis C, Sammons D, Robertson S, Bertke S, Calafat AM, Pleil JD, Geer Wallace MA, Kerber S, Smith DL, Horn GP. Firefighters’ and instructors’ absorption of PAHs and benzene during training exercises. International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health June 2019.
  4. Goodrich JM, Calkins MM, Caban-Martinez AJ, Stueckle T, Grant C, Calafat AM, Nematollahi A, Jung AM, Graber JM, Jenkins T, Slitt AL, Dewald A, Cook Botelho J, Beitel S, Littau S, Gulotta J, Wallentine D, Hughes J, Popp C, Burgess JL. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, epigenetic age and DNA methylation: a cross-sectional study of firefighters. Epigenomics 2021.
  5. Dobraca D, Israel L, McNeel S, Voss R, Wang M, Gajek R, Park JS, Harwani S, Barley F, She J, Das R. Biomonitoring in California firefighters: metals and perfluorinated chemicals. Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine. January 2015.
  6. Sara A. Jahnke, Ph.D., Nattinee Jitnarin Ph.D., Christopher M. Kaipust, Ph.D., M.P.H. Brittany S. Hollerbach, Ph.D. Brittni M. Naylor, Ph.D., M.P.H., Carolyn Crisp, M.P.H. Fireground Exposure of Firefighters: A Literature Review NFPA May 2021.
  7. Sritharan JKirkham TLMacLeod J, et al Cancer risk among firefighters and police in the Ontario workforce. Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2022.
  8. Young AS, Sparer-Fine EH, Pickard HM, Sunderland EM, Peaslee GF, Allen JG. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and total fluorine in fire station dust. J Expo Sci Environ Epidemiol. February 2021. 

2021-2022

Free Research Studies 

  1. Daniels RD, Kubale TL, Yiin JH, Dahm MM, Hales TR, Baris D, Zahm SH, Beaumont JJ, Waters KM, Pinkerton LE. Mortality and cancer incidence in a pooled cohort of US firefighters from San Francisco, Chicago and Philadelphia (1950-2009). Occup Environ Med. 2014 Jun.
  2. Pukkala E, Martinsen JI, Weiderpass E, Kjaerheim K, Lynge E, Tryggvadottir L, Sparén P, Demers PA. Cancer incidence among firefighters: 45 years of follow-up in five Nordic countries. Occup Environ Med. 2014 Jun.
  3. Jalilian H, Ziaei M, Weiderpass E, Rueegg CS, Khosravi Y, Kjaerheim K. Cancer incidence and mortality among firefighters. Int J Cancer. 2019 Nov.
  4. Fent KW, Alexander B, Roberts J, Robertson S, Toennis C, Sammons D, Bertke S, Kerber S, Smith D, Horn G. Contamination of firefighter personal protective equipment and skin and the effectiveness of decontamination procedures. J Occup Environ Hyg. 2017 Oct.
  5. Dahm MM, Bertke S, Allee S, Daniels RD. Creation of a retrospective job-exposure matrix using surrogate measures of exposure for a cohort of US career firefighters from San Francisco, Chicago and Philadelphia. Occup Environ Med. 2015 Sep.
  6. Booze TF, Reinhardt TE, Quiring SJ, Ottmar RD. A screening-level assessment of the health risks of chronic smoke exposure for wildland firefighters. J Occup Environ Hyg. 2004 May.

 Recommended Studies (Pay for) 

  1. LeMasters GK, Genaidy AM, Succop P, Deddens J, Sobeih T, Barriera-Viruet H, Dunning K, Lockey J. Cancer risk among firefighters: a review and meta-analysis of 32 studies. J Occup Environ Med. 2006 Nov.
  2. J Keir JLA, Akhtar US, Matschke DMJ, White PA, Kirkham TL, Chan HM, Blais JM. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) and metal contamination of air and surfaces exposed to combustion emissions during emergency fire suppression: Implications for firefighters’ exposures. Sci Total Environ. 2020 Jan
  3. Keir JLA, Akhtar US, Matschke DMJ, Kirkham TL, Chan HM, Ayotte P, White PA, Blais JM. Elevated Exposures to Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons and Other Organic Mutagens in Ottawa Firefighters Participating in Emergency, On-Shift Fire Suppression. Environ Sci Technol. 2017 Nov.

 Additional Resources

Education Presentations


Note: Make sure you view the presentation in “presenter mode” to capture the instructor notes for the slides. 

Module 1: The Scope of the Cancer Problem (UPDATED for 2023)

Module 2: Scientific Research (UPDATED for 2023)

Module 3: Occupational Cancer Prevention (UPDATED for 2023)

Module 4: Survivorship (UPDATED for 2023)

Module 5: The Need for Culture Change (UPDATED for 2023)

Module 6: The Scope of Occupational Cancer Among Female Firefighters (NEW)

Social Media Graphics


Videos (NEW for 2023)


FFCAM caretaker Story Caylie Valenta

FFCAM Mentor Video 2023

FCSN Video 2022

Rob & Ryan Lead From Behind

Don’t Ignore Cancer Symptoms: Eddie’s Story

Be Honest With Your Doctor And Speak Up: Joanie’s Story

The Hardest Call I’ve Ever Been On: PJ’s Story

AAD Cares: Dr. Kannler’s Story

PCFR Decon 1 IAFF

How firefighters’ life-saving work puts them at a higher risk of cancer

KOLD 13 Dr.Burgess PFAS in FF Gear

PFAS in Firefighter gear NBC News

Smoke Alarms Firefighters and Cancer

Retired Goodyear Firefighter Austin Peck Shares Battle with Cancer

Check Cough

Medical Exam

Check Exhaustion

Check Skin

Videos: 2021-2022


IAFF/FCSN: Fire Fighter Cancer Awareness Month

Firefighter Cancer Awareness Month

Ralf Garcia

Glenn Preston

When I retire…

Education and Awareness from Day One

Cancer in the Boston Fire Department

CAPP Presentation Introduction & Impact Film

FirefighterAid Cancer Awareness & Prevention Program – Scott Lowe Impact Story

Coral Springs-Parkland Fire Department – Our Story

Preventing Cancer in the Boston Fire Department

Fighting Back

TCFP Cancer Prevention

Decontamination Wipes

New Badge of Honor

The Game Changer

Training Briefs


Additional Resources (NEW for 2023)


Contact


For questions regarding Fire Fighter Cancer Awareness Month, contact [email protected] for IAFF support or [email protected] to reach someone at the Firefighter Cancer Support Network.

Get Involved


If you or your local would like to be featured during IAFF/FCSN Cancer Awareness Months, let us know how you would like to participate (options below), and we will work with you to get appropriate approvals and items we need specifically:

      • Survivor Stories: In remission or in treatment for a cancer diagnosis.
      • Support Stories: If you had family member or someone from your local pass away from occupational cancer.
      • Videos that spotlight the five areas highlighted in Cancer Awareness Month – scope of cancer, research, prevention, leadership and survivorship, and culture change.
      • Images of locals/departments getting involved in Cancer Awareness Month.

For more information or to get involved, email [email protected].