The Raleigh Fire Department is making strides to combat the risk of cancer among firefighters, a pervasive hazard tied to the noble profession. According to the City of Raleigh, cancer is a significant cause of death for firefighters throughout the nation. This grim reality hit home for Christy Burgess, whose husband, Nathan, served as a Raleigh firefighter for over two decades before losing his battle with throat cancer in November 2023.
In dealing with emergencies, simple actions, or inactions, can significantly affect health. "When firefighters are on the scene, they often pull their hoods back and let them sit there because they might need to go back in," Christy said in a statement obtained by the City of Raleigh, "Or they might not wash their hands or faces right away so the cancer-causing chemicals just sit on their skin." It's small moments like these, where the perilous dance with carcinogens becomes most intimate.
As a response, the Raleigh Fire Department has introduced a new truck designed to mitigate such risks. This specialized vehicle, dubbed the Rehab 12, is equipped with hygiene stations critical for fire responders to cleanse themselves of harmful contaminants. Dispatched to larger fires, the truck serves as a beacon of respite, offering the necessary facilities for firefighters to wash off toxins and recover from the physical and chemical wear of their duties.
Looking beyond Raleigh, Fire Chief Herbert Griffin issued a challenge, "I challenge all fire chiefs and fire departments across our nation to create enhanced solutions to help reduce cancer so all firefighters can have a safe and healthy career," he told the City of Raleigh.
For those interested in understanding the personal and departmental impacts of this issue, a video detailing Nathan's experience and the RFD's ongoing actions to curtail cancer risks among their ranks is available. To learn more, visit the City of Raleigh's official website.
