This is a video that Phoenix FF’s L493 put out a while back.
It’s about 15 minutes long and shows the ass kicking that a lot of firemen have to deal with.
Sadly, I know a lot of them.

Video Link

Interesting and sad video. I wonder what the cancer incidence is for firefighters in general, average age of diagnosis, and most typical cancer types.

I did industrial firefighting for a few years and it gave me immense respect for firefighters. It is hard and scary work.

We used the old 3M AFFF foam that is now linked to cancer.

Yes, the incidence of cancers in my career is much higher than average…..in theory our SCBA protects our eyes and respiratory but in years past they were worn less after the visible flames were out and most of the smoke cleared in a structure….typically not worn during overhaul operations but it has been recognized as a problem in the past 20 years and worn now during those operations.
I retired 3.5 years ago, we were pretty good metering post fire incidents for CO and HCN during overhaul before letting anyone take their respiratory protection off…..the problem is it’s not just the smoke…those contaminants also permeate your gear, and you continue to expose yourself everytime you put it on for the next calls….needs to be washed/processed in industrial machine to be adequately removed. Most departments around me have extractors that do just that…..then of course, there’s the wide variety of chemicals we get exposed to everyday as well….go figure.
Case in point…..my previous assistant chief that came up through the ranks was diagnosed with lung cancer and died a year later…..never smoked a day in his life!

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It is well known that many of the firefighters working the 911 cleanup came down with respiratory issues and cancer. I am not certain but I think there is a compensation fund. Other firefighters experince exposure to dangerous chemicals on a frequent basis despite the use of Scott airpacks and the like.

Asbestos exposure in older fire destroyed buildings are a possible contributor, too.

Everything in modern buildings-- building materials, furniture, contents-- leans towards the "Scary toxic when burning or superheated" side.

Locally, pretty much all the stations have strict rules against turnouts/bunker gear in crew or administrative areas for the reasons cited by cgode.

The unlucky ones are stuck in endless loop of their health insurers saying "Sorry, there's now way this ultra-rare cancer isn't work-related; go talk to your employer's Worker's Comp carrier" and the WC carrier saying "Sorry, you could've been exposed to superheated mercury with a side of asbestos anywhere. No evidence it's work-related. Maybe you should go back to your health insurer."

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Originally posted by cgode:
Yes, the incidence of cancers in my career is much higher than average…..in theory our SCBA protects our eyes and respiratory but in years past they were worn less after the visible flames were out and most of the smoke cleared in a structure….typically not worn during overhaul operations but it has been recognized as a problem in the past 20 years and worn now during those operations.

I retired after 31.5 years. (hired in ‘78] Our class in Phx was one of the first who was in trained in absolutely wearing an SCBA. A lot of guys hired before were, “Well if it’s bad, I’ll wear it but if it’s just smoke, who cares?”

Your Oncologist cares.

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I retired 3.5 years ago, we were pretty good metering post fire incidents for CO and HCN during overhaul before letting anyone take their respiratory protection off…..the problem is it’s not just the smoke…those contaminants also permeate your gear, and you continue to expose yourself everytime you put it on for the next calls….needs to be washed/processed in industrial machine to be adequately removed. Most departments around me have extractors that do just that…..then of course, there’s the wide variety of chemicals we get exposed to everyday as well….go figure.

Remember the days of smoke stained turnouts and a slightly melted helmet being a “badge of courage?”
It said, “Yeah I’ve been in the shit!”
The day I got a second set of turnouts, I was very happy. One could be decontaminated while the fresh set was used. But there’s still ALL THE SHIT that your skin soaks up.
How I don’t have a grim prognosis already is a mystery….and one I’m thankful for so far.

Sadly, it is one of the things you sign up for without realizing how bad it can be. Most departments now are doing a better job of limiting exposure, exposure times and self clean up.

The risks are so high that as a whole, the industry is starting to shift their primary focus from cancer prevention to cancer detection. The issue is that one of the best ways to clear yourself of carcinogens after a fire is to shower, go work out or sit in a sauna for a half hour or so and then go back in the shower. And most departments won't buy saunas or keep coverage at the stations long enough for guys to do that.

And you need your gear washed and deconed. Any department that doesn't have a gear washer and backup gear to use till it can be cleaned is stupid and probably liable.

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Originally posted by hrcjon:
And you need your gear washed and deconed. Any department that doesn't have a gear washer and backup gear to use till it can be cleaned is stupid and probably liable.

^^^THIS^^^
You need a second set of turnouts. You can’t decon your gear fast enough!
We would have our “red shirt”, (battalion assigned gopher who was in line be put in the next academy), pick up our stuff and have it back by the next shift.

Only the idiots didn’t take advantage of this service.