Cancer Prevention

City asked to intervene after SF firefighter's stage 4 lung cancer treatment denied by Blue Shield
"This is a fight, not just for Ken Jones, but for all firefighters in the future who may need lifesaving treatment," said Former San Francisco Fire Chief Jeanine Nicholson.
Jan. 12, 2026
Photo by Austin Daniels
When continual deviation from safety standards, such as not wearing SCBA during overhaul, becomes accepted practice, cancer risk increases.
Jan. 2, 2026
Photo courtesy of Patrick Graham/Firefighter 48
The story of Tempe, AZ, Fire Medical Rescue Department Capt. Scott Leatham’s battle with NUT carcinoma, which was linked to his firefighting service, is included in Firefighter48 Foundation’s “The Last Firefighter” documentary.
Dec. 29, 2025
Photo courtesy of the Tucson Fire Department
For the Tucson, AZ, Fire Department, cancer prevention begins on scene. After the fire is knocked down, Preliminary Exposure Reduction (PER) practices are activated. These include firefighters wiping down exposed skin using department-issued cleansing wipes and PPE being doffed carefully and sealed in vapor-resistant bags and quarantined to contain any off-gassing toxins.
Dec. 22, 2025
Photo by Glen E. Ellman
firefighter cancer awareness prevention 2025 supplement
Dec. 15, 2025
Photo courtesy of Sylvester's Firefighter Cancer Initiative
A survey of Florida firefighters revealed that 91.1 percent of respondents adopted the use of the so-called Green Bucket as part of preliminary exposure reduction (PER).
Dec. 12, 2025
Barry Williams for New York Daily News/TNS
FDNY Deputy Chief James Riches
Dec. 1, 2025
IPSDI
IPSDI Releases Updated Exposure Tracker
Nov. 19, 2025
Photo courtesy of Richard Storey
Firefighter Michael Richardson of the Euclid, OH, Fire Department (EFD) died from prostate cancer in 2024. His close friend and fellow EFD member, Richard Storey, learned that he had a Gleason 7 moderately aggressive tumor while he was attending the IAFF Fallen Fire Fighter Memorial ceremony honoring Richardson.
Sept. 17, 2025

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