Firefighter Cancer Awareness Month: NYS cancer prevention efforts to protect firefighters & their families

Newly announced decontamination protocols reduce firefighters' exposure to toxic contaminants by 85%

√ State Office of Fire Prevention and Control expanding classes and trainings to include cancer awareness and prevention education

√ Sessions to begin at local fire departments this week, distributing free decontamination kits & educational materials

√ Educational video released to raise awareness of the cancer risk facing firefighters, and detail decontamination protocols

Gov. Kathy Hochul announced the state's Office of Fire Prevention and Control will begin new outreach efforts to help protect New York's firefighters and their families from the threat of cancer. State fire officials initially launched a similar outreach program in early 2020, which was placed on hold due to the pandemic. This new initiative coincides with January's Firefighter Cancer Awareness Month, raising awareness among the fire service on how to develop life-saving protocols for cancer prevention, and to support those who've already received a cancer diagnosis within their fire departments.

"The state's firefighters bravely risk their own lives and safety every day to protect their fellow New Yorkers," Hochul said. "Sadly, cancer is a serious threat to the health and wellbeing of all of our fire service members, and we are committed to ensuring that these heroes have the most up-to-date guidance and information so they can enjoy a long, safe career and live a healthy life."

New York State Homeland Security and Emergency Services Commissioner Jackie Bray said, "The brave women and men of New York's fire service protect us from danger every day. However, too many lives of firefighters are being lost to cancer. During Firefighter Cancer Awareness Month, we are ramping up efforts to educate the fire service and mitigate their risks of exposure to carcinogens found in smoke. I am proud of our state fire team for leading the way on this initiative, providing in-person training sessions and distributing decontamination kits to fire departments across the state."

Hochul’s team stated, “Studies have shown firefighters are at a higher risk of cancer than the general public, largely due to their exposure to an increased level of toxins found in smoke at structure fires. To ensure New York's firefighters are not only aware of this threat but also know how to limit their own risk, state fire officials developed basic protocols for decontaminating firefighting gear following a response call and will be traveling throughout the state to promote their use by firefighters. Research has shown that fire service members can take simple and inexpensive steps to reduce their exposure, as well as protect their families, to toxins and other carcinogens by up to 85%.”

State fire officials have begun working with counties across the state to schedule firefighter contamination reduction and cancer prevention classes. At these meetings, state fire officials will distribute firefighter decontamination kits to attendees. These kits contain information on decontamination immediately after incident response, and items such as a five-gallon bucket, post-fire wipes, hose, detergent, brush and spray bottle.

New York State Fire Administrator Jim Cable said, "We are thrilled to continue our program educating members of the state fire service on immediate steps they can take to protect themselves following an incident response. Sadly, cancer is now the leading cause of firefighter deaths in the nation. Our goal is to reduce occupational illness by educating our brothers and sisters in the fire service on specific measures they can take to reduce exposure to contaminates and lower their health risks."

Hochul’s team said, “If firefighting turnout gear is not decontaminated properly after a fire, firefighters risk exposing harmful chemicals to their firehouses and homes, potentially harming coworkers and family members. According to two studies conducted by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), firefighters are currently being diagnosed with cancer at a nearly 10% higher rate than the general public, and experiencing cancer-related deaths at a nearly 15% higher rate.

“To combat these trends, DHSES and OFPC have established basic, inexpensive protocols which will go a long way in limiting firefighters' exposure to harmful chemicals often found in smoke.

“If exposed during a response, firefighters should:

√ “Perform on scene gross decontamination, stop the exposure, and stop the spread of contaminates to the apparatus and station.

√ “While on scene, use post-fire wipes to reduce exposures.

√ “Shower as soon as possible and put on clean clothes.

√ “Wash tools, equipment and apparatus after fires.

√ “Transport gear in nonporous containers such as a clear garbage bag.

√ “Wear only clean gear, including hood.”

Starting this month, state experts will travel across New York to bring these protocols directly to firefighters via in-person educational sessions at local fire departments. At each session, firefighters will view a live demonstration of the new decontamination protocols, a new educational video that details the protocols and the risks facing firefighters, and have an opportunity for a Q&A with OFPC personnel involved in developing the protocols. Additionally, OFPC is expanding its entire roster of firefighting classes and trainings to include a section on cancer awareness and prevention education.”

New sessions are being scheduled on a rolling basis. Firefighters looking to attend or host an educational session can view the State Office of Fire Prevention and Control's training calendar, or contact their county's fire coordinator.

About the State Office of Fire Prevention and Control

The Office of Fire Prevention and Control delivers a wide breadth of essential services to firefighters, emergency responders, state and local government agencies, public and private colleges, and the citizens of New York to help ensure the safety of all stakeholders. OFPC advances public safety through firefighter training, education, fire prevention, investigative, special operations, and technical rescue programs.

About the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services

The New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services provides leadership, coordination and support to prevent, protect against, prepare for, respond to, recover from, and mitigate disasters and other emergencies. For more information, find DHS on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram; or visit its website.