Every year, nearly 16,000 fire fighters in Kansas risk their lives, facing not just smoke and flames, but a danger they can’t see.
Research now shows that toxic gases and chemicals they’re exposed to over time multiply their risk of cancer.
After 25 years on the fire lines for Sedgwick County, retired Captain Tom Strunk was diagnosed with kidney cancer that spread to his lungs. “The surgeon said it was the size of a dinner plate,” said Strunk.
Wichita fire fighter Captain Jay Tully, who’s also a competitive athlete, was just 50 when diagnosed with prostate cancer. Both men can’t help but wonder if their jobs played a part.
