Firefighter safety: Important points on cancer prevention

It’s no surprise that firefighters are some of the most at-risk people when it comes to their job. Fire emergencies can be extremely deadly. Moreover, there is a high risk of developing cancer while working as a firefighter.

For today’s blog, Volunteer Firefighter Alliance discusses a few ways firefighters can lower their risk of getting cancer while on the job.

Primary safety gear

There are several sources from which firefighters may develop cancer. Harmful chemicals may enter their bodies through inhalation or skin contact. There are certain circumstances when the chemicals that make up building components and materials and household furniture and appliances have been altered over time. These may contain higher amounts of deadly chemicals that can create gases and contaminants, especially during fires. And these harmful elements can linger in the area and the air long after.

This is why wearing PPEs and SCBAs are a must, according to Volunteer Firefighter Alliance.

Decontamination protocols

Volunteer Firefighter Alliance notes that firefighters should be well-trained and diligent at washing everything they’ve worn during the job before setting them aside in sealed bags. They should also be extremely adept at washing any exposed areas of the body using wipes and cleansing themselves upon returning to the station.

But it doesn’t end there. They should implement more thorough decontamination of all their equipment at the station and take a shower within an hour of the incident, Volunteer Firefighter Alliance adds.

Volunteer Firefighter Alliance is a national organization. It assists Volunteer Fire Departments in the United States through several programs that facilitate fundraising, community outreach, volunteer retention, and recruitment and educate the public about the many benefits Volunteer Fire Departments provide their communities and the challenges they face. For more information, visit this page.