Firefighter Cancer Support Network Reaches out to Boston

The Firefighter Cancer Support Network (FCSN) has reached out to their brothers and sisters in Boston to provide occupational cancer awareness and prevention training.

Cancer is one of the leading causes of firefighter line-of-duty deaths in the United States, and was linked to 60% of line-of-duty deaths for career firefighters between 2002-2014, according to International Association of Fire Fighters data.

During that same time, the disease caused 67% of the Boston LODDs.

"Boston firefighters develop cancer at a rate two-and-a-half times higher than other Boston residents," said BFD Commissioner Joseph Finn. "We have recognized cancer's effect on our firefighters, and FCSN's department-wide prevention training is an important part of our ongoing, comprehensive safety, health, and wellness program."

FCSN collaborated with Finn and leaders of IAFF Local 718 to bring its cancer-prevention training to Boston.

"Since 1990, the Boston Fire Department has lost 160 members to cancer," said Richard Paris, president of Local 718.

"It's a staggering number. We know that cancer is killing our members, and we're making a collaborative effort to save the lives of Boston firefighters. FCSN's training focuses on preventive measures the department and firefighters can take to reduce exposure to carcinogens and help avoid contracting this deadly disease."

FCSN's training for the Boston Fire Department's 1,400 members began in July, and it will continue through August. All Boston firefighters are attending 90-minute classes that cover national firefighter cancer statistics, research findings from academic studies, and FCSN’s recommended solutions to reduce their exposure risks.

The firefighters are provided with a letter from Dr. Michael Hamrock with annual cancer-screening recommendations to take to their primary care physician and given access to a department-specific FCSN liaison.

FCSN President Bryan Frieders, a division chief with the San Gabriel, Calif., Fire Department, praised Boston's collaborative, aggressive approach to reducing firefighters' occupational cancer risk.

"Addressing the occupational cancer epidemic requires a cultural change for the fire service," Frieders said. "Joe Finn and Richie Paris are leading from the front. Their work together with FCSN illustrates how effective labor-management relationships can be to enhance the safety and well-being of firefighters."

FCSN's training for the Boston Fire Department's 1,400 members began in July.

Russell Osgood, a firefighter with the Portsmouth, N.H., Fire Department and an FCSN state director, is FCSN's lead instructor for the Boston cancer-prevention training, which is funded by a FEMA Fire Prevention and Safety grant.

Find the Firefighter Cancer Support Network White Paper here.