By Tony Cruz, New York State Director
When you hear the words “You have cancer,” your heart stops. You are not sure you heard correctly. Many thoughts flash through your mind as you try to process what the doctor is saying. Where do you go from here? You try to wrap your head around the diagnosis.
What is your next step? How do I tell my family and what does this mean for my future and my family’s?
Firefighters are more likely to develop cancer than the populations they serve. By the age of 60, twice as many firefighters die from cancer than cardiac arrest. The Firefighter Cancer Support Network was started in 2005. It was founded by Los Angeles County firefighter Mike Dubron, who faced his own cancer diagnosis and could not find the support and information he needed. Today, the organization has over 220 volunteers and 211 mentors in the United States and Canada. Our volunteers provide comfort, strength and hope to cancer victims, while enhancing our awareness campaigns, education and mentorship programs.
The Firefighter Cancer Support Network is supported by numerous fire service organizations including FASNY, the New York State Association of Fire Chiefs, the International Association of Firefighters (IAFF), the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC), the National Institute on Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) and the International Fire Service Training Association (IFSTA).
The vision of the Firefighter Cancer Support Network is straightforward: “To be the global leader in firefighter cancer support, awareness and education.” Our mission is: “To assist firefighters and EMS providers and their immediate families diagnosed with cancer by providing badge to badge support, training and guidance.”
A primary component of the mission of the Firefighter Cancer Support Network is to provide a mentor, who has already gone through the type of cancer you have. Their role is to help guide and counsel the member. This enables an affected individual to compare notes and thoughts and provide needed support to each other as they embark on their battle with cancer.
The other priorities of the FCSN are to raise awareness of cancer in the fire service and conduct cancer prevention and educational campaigns using state, local and regional partners. We participate in many different educational symposiums across the country that focus on cancer prevention techniques that can be used when working at the fire scene and during daily operations at the firehouse. Our goal is to minimize the risks inherent in the fire service and to advocate for health screenings that are crucial in the early detection of cancer. The firefighter cancer Support Network does not provide legal or medical advice and is not able to provide financial assistance.
When a firefighter, EMS provider or immediate family member contacts us for assistance, they are provided with a toolbox. This includes a file tote, filled with helpful information about your cancer and a way for you to organize your medical records, notes, bills, survivor guide handbook and any paperwork you receive during your cancer battle.
What Immediate Actions Can I Take To Protect Myself?
- Use SCBA from initial attack to finish of overhaul. (Not wearing SCBA in both active and post-fire environments is the most dangerous voluntary activity in the fire service today.)
- Do gross field decon of PPE to remove as much soot and particulates as possible.
- Use a Wet-nap or baby wipe to remove as much soot as possible from your head, neck, jaw, throat, underarms and hands immediately and while on the scene.
- Change your clothes and wash them immediately after a fire.
- Shower thoroughly after a fire.
- Clean your PPE, gloves, hood and helmet immediately after a fire.
- Do not take contaminated clothes or PPE home or store them in your personal vehicle.
- Decon fire apparatus interior after fires.
- Keep bunker gear out of living and sleeping quarters.
- Stop using tobacco products.
- Use sunscreen or sunblock.
The importance of annual medical examinations cannot be overstated-early detection and early treatment are essential to increasing survival.
If you are told you have cancer, please contact the Firefighter Cancer Support Network. “Remember no one fights alone.”