Firefighters are four times more likely to get cancer than the average working person. This has been linked to toxic contaminants released during fires. Get the facts and learn why contaminants should be taken seriously.
Firefighters are four times more likely to get cancer than the average working person. This has been linked to toxic contaminants released during fires. Get the facts and learn why contaminants should be taken seriously.
Firefighters significantly more likely to suffer and die from cancer than the average working person.
This has been linked to toxic contaminants released during fires.
Get the facts and learn why contaminants should be taken seriously.
In countries such as Canada and Australia where the link between firefighting and cancer has been researched, firefighters have greater protection from contaminants. The FBU approached a world specialist in fire toxicology – Professor Anna Stec – to carry out the UK’s first major study into cancer and fire contaminants so that we can make sure our firefighters get better protection.
Since 2019, Professor Stec has led a research team at UCLan to:
Key findings include:
The Report recommends:
Five reports based on surveying over 10,000 serving firefighters and researching Scottish firefighters’ death certificates has found that:
In light of this research, the FBU is calling on the government and fire bosses for:
Everyday DECON habits help to protect you against contaminants.
Learn how to make these eleven simple changes at home and at work.
1. CLEAN KIT REGULARLY
Your PPE should be cleaned regularly and after fire incidents. If you are cleaning it, always cover exposed skin, use disposable gloves, and wear a face mask. Even if firefighting gloves are clean, never store them in boots or helmets.
2. HANDLE DIRTY KIT WITH CARE
Make sure your kit is clean before carrying it. If you have to touch dirty kit, use disposable gloves.
3.BA ON UNTIL THE JOB IS DONE
Wear BA at all stages of firefighting and keep it on during salvage, turning over and damping down. Don’t put it on too late or take it off too early.
4. CONTAIN YOUR DIRTY KIT
Seal any clothing or PPE exposed to fire in an airtight bag or box before taking it into the appliance.
5. SHOWER WITHIN AN HOUR
Back at station, shower within an hour of returning to station after attending a fire. Use soap and scrub your skin, and wash and dry your hair. If you need to go straight from a fire to another incident, use wipes or soap and water to clean your face, neck, hands, and forearms.
6. SCRUB BEFORE GRUB
Only eat or drink at the station once you and your clothes are clean. Don’t get water from a cooler or go into clean zones such as the mess until you’ve washed and changed.
7. WATCH OUT FOR WEAR AND TEAR
Check your kit for visible damage every shift, and make sure your brigade gets it checked at least every three months by someone who is trained to find damage.
8. DECON BEFORE YOU DRIVE
If you have attended a fire, shower and change your clothes before you drive. If you’re carrying clothes exposed to fire in your car, make sure they are sealed in an airtight bag or box. Wipe down your steering wheel, handles and dashboard regularly.
9. CLEAN WHAT YOU CARRY
Regularly wipe down your phone, wallet, and other belongings you take to work, using one wipe for each item. Put bags that you take to the station through the wash regularly. Wash the bags alone then run the ‘rinse and spin’ cycle after.
10. STRAIGHT TO THE SHOWER
If you couldn’t shower and change at station after the last fire you attended, get straight in the shower once you get home. Don’t hug, kiss, or touch anyone until you’ve washed and changed.
11. DIRTY CLOTHES IN THE MACHINE
If you have taken home clothes that have been near a fire, put them straight into the washing machine from the bag or box they are sealed in. Don’t touch these clothes with bare hands, let them mix with other laundry, or leave them lying out. After washing them, run the ‘rinse and spin’ cycle. Facilities should be made available to wash work clothes at work, away from home. Not all fire and rescue services have this in place yet.
You can help researchers to understand and tackle firefighter health risks
by joining the UK Firefighters Cancer and Disease Registry.
Funded by the Firefighters100 Lottery and administered by UCLan, the Registry helps researchers to study the long-term health risks of firefighting. The more firefighters register, the better we can understand and respond to the health risks our profession faces. Evidence from the Registry can also help the FBU fight for better protections for firefighters at work.
It only takes five minutes to register. Sign up now and spread the word to firefighters you know.
REGISTER TO PREVENT CANCER AND OTHER DISEASES