01/05/2026
𝗞𝗡𝗢𝗪 𝗛𝗢𝗪 𝗧𝗢 𝗣𝗥𝗢𝗧𝗘𝗖𝗧 𝗬𝗢𝗨𝗥𝗦𝗘𝗟𝗙
Cancer remains the leading cause of line-of-duty deaths for firefighters and exposure can happen at every stage of response. Any amount of smoke, whether you see it or simply smell it, carries contaminants that put firefighters at risk. It is important to know how to protect yourself before, during, and after calls.
𝗕𝗘𝗙𝗢𝗥𝗘 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗖𝗔𝗟𝗟:
· Wear clean, well-maintained gear
· Check SCBA
𝗗𝗨𝗥𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗖𝗔𝗟𝗟:
· Wear SCBA from initial attack through overhaul
· Avoid touching face, eating, or drinking before decontamination
𝗔𝗙𝗧𝗘𝗥 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗖𝗔𝗟𝗟:
· Conduct preliminary exposure reduction (PER) or decontamination of gear and tools
· Bag contaminated gear and transport in an outside the cab
· Use disposable decon wipes for face, neck, and all areas of exposed skin before touching face, eating
or drinking
· Shower as soon as possible upon returning to the station
· Keep PPE out of living and eating areas
· Get cancer screenings
For more best practices to reduce your risk, see the Fire Fighter Cancer Support Network: https://www.firefightercancersupport.org/
