The International Association of Firefighters says the number of cancer-related deaths is staggering.
In 2022, they say 75% of firefighters who were added to the Firefighter Memorial died of cancer.
Firefighters across the nation have sued manufacturers of the industrial compound PFAS, the chemicals that can help make their turn-out gear water and oil repellent.
The organization believes the evidence shows there is a link between heightened exposure to the so-called forever chemicals and a steady rise in cancer among firefighters.
The National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health found that firefighters have a 14% higher risk of being diagnosed with cancer.
Tim Gobat is an engineer and paramedic for the Evanston Fire Department and says it’s also changes in building materials that pose a danger.
“The ways things are built these days. Everything is made with synthetics, and they burn hotter, they burn faster. They are filled with more toxins which exposes us to nasty bad stuff,” Gobat said.
He says the number of cancer-related deaths among firefighters has skyrocketed over the last decade.
Shenan Constantino and her son Ryan founded Shield 23 after her husband Russ Constantino died of brain cancer. He was a Gurnee firefighter for over two decades and was exposed to PFAS throughout his career.
“He handled all the gear because that was his job as quartermaster,” Constantino said. “His desk was in a small room where all the gear was stored. His exposure was probably pretty high.”
More information at www.shield23foundation.org
Shield 23 is a non-profit that gifts money to firefighters battling cancer and to their families. The money they raise can offset costs like medical care not covered by insurance, transportation, household bills and childcare.
They’ve been able to gift over $100,000 to firefighters and their families in 6 different states so far.
