Overview
Just as it's important to keep your equipment in great shape, maintaining your own personal health and wellness is vital to the success of every firefighter. It's important to keep up with regular checkups and follow the guidance of a trusted medical professional.
Cancer
In a study from the National Institute for Occupational Safety, firefighters showed higher rates of certain types of cancers than the general U.S. population. These included digestive, oral, respiratory, and urinary cancers.
The good news is that experts are working on the best possible prevention tips to keep firefighters and their loved ones safe.
Best Practices
The National Volunteer Fire Council and International Association of Fire Chiefs’ Volunteer and Combination Officers Section released the Lavender Ribbon Report. This report gives 11 specific actions for firefighters to take to lessen their risk of occupational cancer:
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1
Wear Protective Gear
Full protective gear should be worn throughout an incident. A self-contained breathing apparatus needs to be worn during salvage and overhaul.
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2
Provide Second Hoods
Fire departments must provide second hoods to all entry-certified personnel.
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3
Begin Gross Decon Right Away
Following exit from the immediately dangerous to life or health condition and while still on air, you should begin immediate gross decon of personal protective equipment using soap water and a brush, if weather conditions allow. Equipment should then be placed into a sealed plastic bag and placed in an exterior compartment of the rig. If responding in personally owned vehicles, place equipment in a large storage tote, thus keeping the off-gassing equipment away from passengers and yourself.
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4
Wipe Exposed Areas
After completion of gross decon procedures and while still on scene, the exposed areas of the body (neck, face, arms and hands) should be wiped off immediately using wipes, which must be carried on all apparatuses. Use the wipes to remove as much soot as possible from your head, neck, jaw, throat, underarms and hands immediately.
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5
Get Changed
Change your clothes and wash them after exposure to products of combustion or other contaminants. Do this as soon as possible and/or isolate in a trash bag until washing is available.
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6
Shower Within The Hour
Shower as soon as possible after being exposed to products of combustion or other contaminants.
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7
Keep Equipment Out of Living Areas
Personal protective equipment, especially turnout pants, must be prohibited in areas outside the apparatus floor (i.e. kitchen, sleeping areas, etc.) and never in the household.
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8
Wipe Everything Down
Wipes or soap and water should also be used to decontaminate and clean apparatus seats, self-contained breathing apparatuses, and interior crew area regularly — especially after incidents where personnel were exposed to products of combustion.
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9
Get An Annual Physical
Early detection is the key to survival. View or download A Healthcare Provider’s Guide to Firefighter Physicals.
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10
Say No To Tobacco
Tobacco products of any variety, including dip and e-cigarettes should never be used at anytime on or off duty.
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11
Document Your Exposures
Fully document ALL fire or chemical exposures on incident reports and personal exposure reports.
Cardiac Risks
Cardiovascular events are the leading cause of firefighter deaths in the line of duty. The U.S. Fire Administration highlights risk factors for heart attack or stroke and how to lower your risk.
Risk Factors
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Poorly controlled blood sugar
- Age (45+ in men and 50+ in women)
- Family history of heart attack or stroke
- Being overweight
- Poor lifestyle habits, such as:
- Poor diet
- Lack of regular exercise
- Tobacco use
Lower Your Risk
- Get regular, in-depth screenings
- Eat nutritious meals
- Exercise regularly
- Don't use tobacco products
- Take personal responsibility for your health
- Use all resources offered by your department and beyond
Find A Provider
Emergency responders and their families face unique challenges that can have a significant impact on behavioral health, and it is important that they have access to providers that understand this. The National Volunteer Fire Council has a directory of providers that have been vetted by the Firefighter Behavioral Health Alliance.
Take Care of Yourself
To take care of others, responders must be feeling well and thinking clearly. The Centers for Disease Control has a comprehensive guide for taking care of yourself as a first responder before, during, and after an event.
Talk To Someone Now
Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
Call or text 988 to get connected to help. There's also a chat function you can use right on the organization's website.
Peer Support Hotline
Lenape Valley Foundation has a peer support hotline for first responders and their families, staffed by current and former police, fire, EMS, and dispatchers.
No issue is too big or too small. Call about job stress, family issues, financial concerns, drug/alcohol issues, and more.
Safe Call Now
Trained call takers, most of whom are current or former first responders, are there at all times to assist and support you and members of your family. Your call is always confidential.
Drug, Alcohol, and Gambling Treatment
Treatment works and recovery is possible. Find drug, alcohol, and gambling treatment in Pennsylvania through Get Help Now. Search for providers or call the hotline.
Workplace Hazards
Contact With Substances
First responders are likely to come into contact with licit and illicit substances while responding to overdoses and performing various job duties.
These hazardous substances include, but are not limited to: fentanyl, carfentanyl, heroin, cocaine, cathinones and methamphetamines. Although dangerous, it is important to follow safe operating procedures and use proper personal protective equipment when responding to incidents that may involve these substances.
- Preventing Emergency Responders' Exposures (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
- Toolkit for Emergency Responders (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
- Illicit Drug Exposure (National Institute of Environment Health Sciences)
Hazardous Materials
Take a free Train PA course to help you recognize the presence of a hazardous material and call for trained personnel to assist. You will need a Train PA account to access the course.
Injuries
The National Fire Protection Association estimates that firefighters get more than 71,000 injuries per year.
In its Health Care Provider's Guide to Firefighter Physicals, the International Fire Chiefs Association recommends having your doctor assess for full range of motion, lower back strengthy, flexibility, and core muscle strength.
The organization encourages flexibility and core-strengthening exercises to help prevent strains, sprains, and disc injuries.
Traffic Incident Management
Train PA has a free course that helps improve responder and motorist safety while reducing traffic delays. You will need a Train PA account to access the course.
Links are provided as a convenience and for informational purposes only. They do not constitute an endorsement or an approval by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania or the Office of the State Fire Commissioner of any of the products, services, or information contained therein. The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the Office of the State Fire Commissioner bear no responsibility for the accuracy, legality, or content of the external sites or for that of subsequent links. Contact the external site for answers to questions regarding its content.
