“I am going to die.”
These five words were written by Lt. Brian Kyono in his personal journal — words read aloud by a close friend and colleague, San Francisco Assistant Fire Marshal and Local 798 member Chad Law, in a documentary honoring his life.
“I was with him while he wrote this, and we talked a lot about how in the earlier days of firefighting, we were not as comfortable admitting that we were scared, or that anything could hurt us,” said Law.
After a distinguished 29-year career with the San Francisco Fire Department, Kyono was diagnosed with Stage 4 lung cancer shortly after his retirement. Despite the devastating prognosis, Kyono refused to be defined by his illness. Instead, he became a voice for change, using his final months to raise awareness about the dangers fire fighters face on the job.
“I just wanted to put together something to be remembered by, I guess,” Kyono said in a video message recorded before his death. But his mission was more than a legacy — it was a call for action for his fellow colleagues. “I may not be able to prevent it for myself, but if I can help others avoid it, then my story will mean something.”
Brian wanted his message to be heard by all fire fighters. Even in the face of his diagnosis, he fought tirelessly to protect others from walking the same path.
Battalion Chief Matthew Alba
The San Francisco Firefighters Cancer Prevention Foundation launched Project Kyono, a documentary that chronicles Kyono’s cancer journey through his own words, as well as those of his family, colleagues, and friends.
Matthew Alba — Battalion Chief of the San Francisco Department’s Division of Health, Safety, & Wellness became a vital advocate in ensuring Kyono’s message reached every corner of the fire service. “Brian wanted his message to be heard by all fire fighters,” said Alba. “Even in the face of his diagnosis, he fought tirelessly to protect others from walking the same path.”
Alba, who himself faced a brain tumor diagnosis after 26 years in the fire service, knows all too well the risks that come with the job. “We’re reactive by nature, but we need to take steps to mitigate risks before diagnosis,” said Alba. “Brian didn’t want us to wait until cancer struck. He wanted us to take action before it was too late.”
Video messages shared in honor of Kyono mirrored this plea. “We have to be our own advocates,” said Local 798 member Jeffrey Roy, a longtime friend and fellow fire fighter. “Brian’s message is clear: take care of yourselves, follow safety protocols, and speak up for your health. For all of the newer generations, we need to know about 30 in and 30 out. Putting your 30 years in and Brian only got two years out. It’s not fair.”
Tyler Lebow, a probationary fire fighter, says Kyono’s kindness made an impact. “I met Brian working at Station 18, and he remembered my name after the first time we met. That’s my memory of him — one I want to keep,” he said.
Kyono’s wife, Donna, shared memories of her late husband, and his cancer journey.
“Brian always told me not to worry,” she said. ” As a first responder, he told me it was all about calculated risks. I believed him, I just never thought the calculated risk included Stage 4 lung cancer. The fear that Brian talked about was valid. He lived this entire situation with a lot of grace and strength. It happened quickly and it was something we never planned for.”
As a first responder, he told me it was all about calculated risks. I believed him, I just never thought the calculated risk included Stage 4 lung cancer.
donna kyono, brian’s wife
In his final days, Kyono’s message to his fellow fire fighters was simple yet powerful: “Wear your protective gear, follow decontamination protocols, and advocate for your health.”
“Now that we have the science, the studies, the opportunity for PFAS-free equipment, SCBAs,” said Lebow. “It’s important that our generation changes things to keep us going.”
“Brian’s story isn’t just about one person — it’s about all of us. We have to make changes. We have to protect ourselves and each other. We have to make sure that Brian’s story is heard,” said Alba.
To watch the full video, visit the link here. To learn more about the San Francisco Firefighter Prevention Foundation, visit the link here.
