Category: Cancer in the Fire Service

Firefighters and Colorectal Cancer

It is not very common to sit down with fellow firefighters or friends and say, “Hey, does anyone want to talk about how we can prevent colorectal cancer?” While it may not sound like a subject for “polite” conversation, it’s a good idea to give some thought to this important…

How Clean Is Your Turnout Gear?

You have probably seen a few dirty, soot-covered helmets lying around the firehouse, and are maybe even guilty of sporting one yourself over the years. But, that “salty” gear that was once the sign of a “real firefighter” is no longer a badge of honor. Turnout gear can be covered…

‘All Hands’ Needed to Combat Cancer in Volunteer Firefighters: The FASNY-Northwell Health Firefighter Cancer Study

Dr. Jacqueline Moline, FASNY Health and Wellness Committee Chair FASNY’s stake in the fight against cancer in the volunteer fire service goes deep and is well known to the membership and everyone familiar with our organization. FASNY’s plan of attack is, by design, wide-ranging, aggressive, collaborative and, therefore, effective: Working…

Beating Firefighter Cancer May Be a One-Day Contract

By Brian F. McQueen, Past FASNY Director As my wife, Sarah, and I walked through a bookstore one day, I came upon a book by Coach Rick Pitino. It was the cover that struck me as it read: A One-Day Contract. Having coached high school football and basketball for 12…

House Passes Firefighter Cancer Registry Act

On September 12, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 931, the Firefighter Cancer Registry Act, by a voice vote. H.R. 931 directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to develop and maintain a voluntary registry of firefighters to collect relevant history and occupational information that can be linked…

The Big ‘C’ Is Something No One Wants

As chief officers, we all recognize that firefighting is a high-risk occupation. We have a front-row seat into the risks of the profession, and gain impressions about these risks as our careers progress. Through training and education, we teach the next generation of firefighters to lessen their own risk by…

Hey, Firefighter … Cancer Is Real … Believe Me!

By Past Chief Brian F. McQueen, FASNY Director Somewhere in the U.S., there are two young volunteer firefighters who have become great friends through the fire service. They enjoy the brotherhood and elation of helping others on their worst days. Sadly, statistics have shown that one of these dedicated firefighters…

National Cancer Control Month: Protect Yourself from Firefighter Cancer

April is National Cancer Control Month, and now is a great opportunity to evaluate what you and your department can do to protect yourselves from firefighter cancer. Many studies show that firefighters contract cancer at higher rates than the rest of the population. Taking the proper safety precautions is critical…

Building the Case for Presumptive Cancer Legislation: We Need Your Help!

“There are 92,000 reasons that volunteer firefighters should have presumptive cancer coverage in New York State.” There is power in this quote from FASNY Past President Robert N. McConville in the press release announcing the 2015 FASNY-sponsored video, “Fighting Fires, Fighting Cancer.” (1) One thing we can all agree on…

National Volunteer Fire Council Partners With Exposure Tracker Program

Software Helps Volunteer Firefighters Track Their Exposures to Carcinogens That Lead to Cancer The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) has partnered with San Diego-based company VaultRMS in the fight against firefighter cancer. NVFC members will be able to use VaultRMS’s Exposure Tracker Program for the extra low rate of just…