Mission Statement

Firefighter Cancer Foundation of New York

Rationale:  Firefighters face many hazardous in the line of duty.  Besides the risks of severe and potentially fatal injuries from the actual fire scene, firefighters are also at an increased risk of cancer.  Epidemiological studies demonstrate increased cancer rates among firefighters including, but not limited to cancers affecting digestive, oral, respiratory, and urinary systems.  Studies are also demonstrating that on-the-job exposures to toxic contaminants are known or at least suspected to increase cancer rates among firefighters.  This holds true for all New York Firefighters in that they to have recognized many colleagues being diagnosed with cancer an its resulting physical, social, emotional and financial toll.

Intervention:  Several organizations recognize the increased cancer risk for firefighters and have worked to create recommendations.  The American Cancer Society has also established a comprehensive approach to aid those facing a cancer diagnosis.  The Firefighter Cancer Foundation of New York initiative aims to combine these efforts to create a multifaceted intervention designed to prevent, diagnose, treat and assist with the long-term implications firefighters, their family, their coworkers, the fire department and community face.

Components include:

Stay Well:  helping people take steps to prevent cancer or find it at its earliest, most treatable stage.

• Increase awareness among firefighters about cancer risks for on-the-job exposure and work hazards.
• Share information with Syracuse Firefighters through seminars, conferences, materials, peer to peer exchange, etc.
• Increase awareness among firefighters about non-occupational exposure cancer risks.
• Share information on tobacco, sun exposure, diet, exercise, alcohol use, etc. through a comprehensive educational campaign.
• Increase public awareness about cancer impact among firefighters.
• Partner/Volunteer with the American Cancer Society to increase awareness through the board of advisors, Relay For Life and other established mechanisms.
• Increase medically approved screenings for certain types of cancers like prostate, colon, lung etc. (list TBD).
• Create specific screening recommendations based on increased risk for firefighters.
• Offer baseline and routine screening for firefighters (active and retired).
• Work with third party payers on reimbursement for screenings.

Get Well:  Help guide firefighters through every step of their cancer experience, with information and free services.

• Share available cancer-related resources (local, state and national) from firefighter specific organizations and the American Cancer Society.
• Customize the American Cancer Society’s Cancer Resource Volunteer Program to speak directly to the needs of the firefighter community.
• Create resources and guidance for firefighters and family members battling cancer.

Research:  Consider groundbreaking research that helps us better understand, prevent, and cure cancer.

• Monitor and potentially engage all New York State Firefighters in state and national research opportunities.

Advocacy:  We work with lawmakers to pass laws to defeat cancer and rally the firefighter community.

• Work with third party payers on reimbursement for screenings.
• Advance legislation designed to decrease occupational exposure to harmful toxins and chemicals for firefighters.

Resources: 

• Centers for Disease Control (CDC)
• The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Cancer: Study of Cancer among U.S. Firefighters.
• International Firefighter Cancer Foundation (IFCF)
• U.S. Fire Administration (USFA)