Firefighters are exposed to hazardous conditions that can place them at high risk for developing long-term occupational injuries, diseases and disorders.
Cancer Awareness and Prevention
Firefighter’s Cancer Prevention Checklist
Developers: Ontario Ministry of Labour
Published: October 30, 2020
Description (from website): A self-audit tool for fire services to learn how to protect fire personnel from exposure to contaminants that may cause cancer or other occupational illnesses.
Download the checklist
NFORS Fire Fighter Exposure Tracker
Developers: International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFF), the International Associations of Fire Chiefs (IAFC), Metropolitan Fire Chiefs Association, International Public Safety Data Institute (IPSDI)
Description: A mobile app that records and tracks exposure to hazardous chemicals.
Learn more about the app
Read IAFF media release (May 29 2019)
IAFF Cancer Awareness and Prevention Training Course
Developers: International Association of Fire Fighters & The Fire Fighter Cancer Support Network
Description: An online course that will train firefighters how to identify and minimize their exposure to carcinogens.
Learn more about the course
Mesothelioma in Firefighters
Developers: Mesothelioma Veterans Center
Description: A summary of firefighters’ risks of asbestos exposure.
View summary
Firehouse Training: Cancer Research, Prevention, and Treatment
Presenters: LG Petrick Jr (IAFF), Dr. K Fent (NIOSH), Dr. W Flood (Nanthealth)
Published: 2018
Description: A 2-hour video on cancer research, prevention and treatment presented at the 2018 IAFF Affiliate Leadership Training Summit and Human Relations Conference.
Fireground Exposure Control
Developers: IFSI Research
Published: 2017-2018
Description: A 3-minute video on how to avoid cross-contamination when removing personal protective equipment.
Part 1 – Doffing Gloves
Part 2 – Doffing the Hood
Take No Smoke
Developers: Boston Fire Department
Published: 2017
Description: A series of videos about Boston firefighters who were diagnosed with cancer and the steps that the Boston Fire Department are taking to prevent cancer
View videos
Fire Service Research: 10 Considerations Related to Cardiovascular & Chemical Exposure Risks
Developers: Firehouse Magazine, the Illinois Fire Service Institute (IFSI), the UL Firefighter Safety Research Institute (FSRI), the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), and Globe Manufacturing.
Published: 2017
Description: The lead researchers from the IFSI, UL and NIOSH introduce the latest research focused on cardiovascular and chemical exposure risks on the fireground.
Read issue
In the Fight: Chief Jim Seavey, Sr.
Developers: Firehouse
Published: 2017
Description: Chief Jim Seavey, Sr. shares his experience with cancer in this 9-minute video.
Fire Service Occupational Cancer Toolkit
Developers: Fire Service Occupational Cancer Alliance
Published: 2017
Description: An electronic toolkit that provides firefighters and management research information, educational/multimedia resources (e.g., checklists, tracking forms) and training materials on the risks and prevention of carcinogen exposure.
View webpage
Download toolkit
Breathing in Cancer
Developers: The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation
Published: 2017
Description: A 9-minute video about firefighter, Kyle Jameson’s, cancer story; work-related hazards and the challenges of prevention.
Healthy In, Healthy Out — Firefighter Cancer Prevention
Developers: Washington State Council of Fire Fighters
Published: 2016
Description: A 6-minute video that shows how firefighters can reduce their exposure to carcinogens.
Healthy In, Healthy Out — Firefighter Cancer Prevention
Developers: Washington State Council of Fire Fighters
Published: 2016
Description: A 35-page flipbook describing best practices for reducing firefighter risk of exposures to carcinogens.
Read flipbook
Firefighters & Cancer
Developers: Centre for Public Safety and Criminal Justice Research
Published: 2016
Description: A brochure on what firefighters can do to reduce the risks of cancer.
Read brochure
The Silent Killer
Developers: The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation
Published: 2016
Description: A 22-minute video on cancer awareness and prevention.
0:00-8:12 Introduction and personal stories
8:12-14:00 Research and prevention
14:00-19:02 Change in risks due to synthetic materials in homes; new knowledge and change in culture
19:02-22:23 Prevention and next steps
Firefighters and Cancer: Understanding Risk Factors in an Environment of Change
Authors: Dow M, Kunz K, Garis L, & Thomas L, Centre for Public Safety and Criminal Justice Research
Published: 2015
Description: A report on cancer incidence and risks in the general population versus firefighters.
Read report
Evaluating the Association Between Disease and Occupation as a Firefighter
Authors: Guidotti TL
Published: 2012 (2nd Edition)
Description: A report on the current evidence for risk of certain diseases (cardiovascular and cancer) associated with the occupation of firefighters.
Read English version of the report
Read French version of the report
The Firefighting Environment Risk for Breast Cancer, Gynecologic Malignancies and Lymphoma
Authors: McDiarmid MA, Guecer PW, Oliver M (University of Maryland)
Published: 1999
Description: A report prepared for the IAFF that summarizes the findings of the chemicals or substances found in the fire fighting environment that may be associated with cancers that affect women.
Read report
Cancer Management and Support
IAFF Cancer Registry
Developers: International Association of Fire Fighters
Description: An online survey to be used by firefighters (or next of kin representative) to report a cancer diagnosis and other health info.
View website
Firefighter Cancer Support Network
Developers: Firefighter Cancer Support Network
Description: A website that provides support and resources to firefighters with cancer.
View website
Cardiac Health
Safety and Survival: Matters of the heart for women in the fire service
Author: Dominica D’Avella (National Volunteer Fire Council)
Published: 2017
Description: An article on how promote and improve the health of both part (heart) and whole (body) for female firefighters.
Read article
10 Best Heart Health Practices for Female Firefighters, EMTs
Developers: EMS1.com
Published: 2017
Description: A list of 10 ways to reduce risks of cardiac disease and stroke.
Read article
Heart to Heart: Strategizing an Evidence-Based Approach to Reduce Cardiac Disease and Death in the Fire Service
Developers: National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF)
Published: 2016
Description: A 43-page white paper on the findings and recommendations from the NFFF Conference Proceedings held on December 2-4, 2015 in Washington, D.C.
Read paper
Lung/Respiratory Disease
Lung Disease in Firefighters
Developers: International Association of Fire Fighters
Description: A division of IAFF website on firefighters’ exposure risks for lung diseases.
View website
Asthma, Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease, and Firefighting
Developers: International Association of Fire Fighters
Description: A division of IAFF website that provides information on asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
View website
Smoking Cessation
Campaign for a Smoke-Free Union
Developers: International Association of Fire Fighters in collaboration with Pfizer
Description: A division of IAFF website offering resources and programs to aid firefighters in quitting smoking.
View website
Reproductive Health
Reproductive Health
Developers: International Association of Fire Fighters
Description: A division of IAFF website for reproductive health hazards.
View website
Infectious Diseases
Infectious Disease
Developers: International Association of Fire Fighters
Description: A division of IAFF website with comprehensive access to resources regarding infectious diseases (control practices, principles, and detailed info on diseases).
View website
Management of Arthritis
Online Arthritis Self Management Courses
Developers: The Arthritis Society
Description: Interactive online programs to help manage arthritis and its symptoms
View online courses
Sleep
Risks Beyond the Fire Ground: Fitness, Nutrition, Substance Use & Sleep
Presenter: Dr. Sara Jahnke (Center for Fire, Rescue and EMS Health Research)
Published: 2018
Description: A 50-minute video on the measures that firefighters can take to improve their physical and mental health.
Firefighter Sleep Disorders with Dr. Sara Jahnke
Authors: Scott Orr
Published: 2018
Description: A 6-minute podcast where Dr. Sarah Jahnke offers advice on how firefighters can improve the quality of their sleep on and off shift.
Listen to podcast
Firefighters are not machines; they need sleep
Authors: Eric Saylors
Description: An article about the effects of sleep deprivation on firefighters’ health.
Read article
