Research shows that fire fighters are more likely to be diagnosed with certain types of cancer than the general public – a trend that fire service organizations hope to reduce.
January 3, 2023 – The Office of the State Fire Marshal, along with the Kansas State Firefighters Association, the Kansas State Association of Fire Chiefs, the International Association of Firefighters, and the Firefighter Cancer Support Network are all partnering to deliver targeted education about best practices and resources to prevent and reduce cancer among fire fighters during Firefighter Cancer Awareness Month in January.
The month-long campaign includes safety stand downs, training briefs and a focus on prevention and mitigation, including the scope of the cancer in the fire service, best practices for prevention and skills to help survivors of occupational cancer.
These topics are reinforced with online resources, such as daily training information and infographics that promote the program and underline the importance of the issue on social media, as well as podcasts addressing the important issues of prevention and documentation of exposures to carcinogens.
“Ensuring the health and well-being of firefighters is our top priority so we can keep our communities safe. We know that there needs to be further education and more assistance and resources for firefighters when it comes to navigating an occupational cancer diagnosis,” Fire Marshal Doug Jorgensen said. “Working together with such dedicated groups, there is no doubt that this partnership will increase awareness and save lives.”
For more information on the firefighter cancer awareness campaign, stand downs and prevention training visit https://www.iaff.org/cancer-awareness-month/.
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Contact:
Jill Bronaugh
Public Information Manager
Office of the State Fire Marshal
785-296-3403
785-221-0379 (cell)
jill.bronaugh@ks.gov