The theme of Safety Stand Down 2019 focuses on reducing exposure risks and implementing the cancer prevention recommendations in the Lavender Ribbon Report. Many fire departments and organizations have developed training, resources, and videos related to this critical topic. Below are some of these.
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NFPA 1851, Standard on Selection, Care, and Maintenance of Protective Ensembles for Structural Fire Fighting and Proximity Fire Fighting
This National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standard establishes requirements for the selection, care, and maintenance of firefighting protective ensembles to reduce health and safety risks associated with improper maintenance, contamination, or damage.
NFPA 1971, Standard on Protective Ensembles for Structural Fire Fighting and Proximity Fire Fighting
This NFPA standard establishes minimum levels of protection from thermal, physical, environmental, and bloodborne pathogen hazards encountered during structural and proximity firefighting operations.
NFPA 1977, Standard on Protecting Clothing and Equipment for Wildland Fire Fighting
This NFPA standard establishes requirements for protective clothing and equipment to protect against the adverse environmental effects encountered by personnel performing wildland firefighting operations.
NFPA 1582, Standard on Comprehensive Occupational Medical Program for Fire Departments
This National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standard outlines an occupational medical program that will reduce risks and provide for the health, safety, and effectiveness of firefighters operating to protect civilian life and property. The full text of this standard can be viewed for free on the NFPA web site.
NFPA 1500, Standard on Fire Department Occupational Safety, Health, and Wellness Program
This NFPA standard specifies the minimum requirements for an occupational safety and health program for fire departments or emergency service organizations. The full text of this standard can be viewed for free on the NFPA web site.
Lavender Ribbon Report
The NVFC and IAFC-VCOS partnered to develop the Lavender Ribbon Report: Best Practices for Preventing Firefighter Cancer. This report details 11 actions that can be taken to mitigate the risk of cancer for firefighters.
11 Best Practices for Preventing Firefighter Cancer
Hang this poster in your department as a reminder of the actions all firefighters need to take to protect themselves and their crew from occupational cancer
Understanding & Implementing NFPA Standard 1851
This guide developed by the NVFC and NFPA is designed to help volunteer fire departments understand and implement NFPA 1851, Standard on Selection, Care, and Maintenance of Protective Ensembles for Structural Fire Fighting and Proximity Fire Fighting.
A Healthcare Provider’s Guide to Firefighter Physicals
The International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) and their Firefighter Safety Through Advanced Research (FSTAR) program developed this guide that firefighters can bring to their physician to help them understand physiological demands of firefighting and the resulting health risks research shows firefighters are most prone to. The guide assists primary care providers in the evaluation, treatment, and ongoing surveillance of the unique health and wellness needs of firefighters.
The Emergency Services Road Map to Health and Wellness
The IAFC and its Safety, Health and Survival (SHS) section developed this tool to help fire department leaders, personnel, and other key stakeholders better understand and use NFPA 1582, gain a better understanding of firefighter-specific medicals, and encourage all firefighters to get an annual medical.
Volunteer Fire Service Culture: Essential Strategies for Success
Chapter Five of this NVFC textbook focuses on health and wellness, including an in-depth discussion of firefighter cancer and prevention.
Recommendations for Developing and Implementing a Fire Service Contamination Control Campaign
This report from NFPA clarifies the strategy and recommendations to address the fire service contamination issue and support the development of tools to adequately address contamination control in fire service. This starts with controlling exposure and the spread of harmful fire ground contaminants, and extends beyond to all aspects of a firefighter’s work life.
NFPA Bulletin – Firefighter Protective Hoods
This bulletin reminds firefighters to properly clean and care for hoods to reduce risk of contaminant exposure.
Healthy In – Healthy Out
This guide from the Washington State Council of Fire Fighters provides best practices that reduce firefighters risk of exposure to carcinogens, from the first day to retirement.
FirstForward Exposure Tracker
Every time you are exposed to a hazard, you should be recording it. This not only helps you take preventive measures and communicate risks to your healthcare provider, but also helps you receive the proper benefits in the event of a cancer diagnosis. FirstForward offers a free exposure tracking and reporting tool to all firefighters.
Taking Action Against Cancer in the Fire Service
The Firefighter Cancer Support Network (FCSN) released this white paper highlighting the firefighter cancer problem and steps that can be taken by chiefs, members, and organizations to lower the risk.
11 Immediate Actions to Protect Against Firefighter Cancer
FCSN provides this list of 11 immediate actions firefighters can take to protect themselves against cancer.
Soot is Not a Badge of Honor
This poster/ad/flyer from FCSN reminds firefighters of the actions they need to take to protect themselves from from cancer.
Act Today
This poster/ad/flyer from FCSN reminds firefighters of the actions they need to take to protect themselves from from cancer.
No Fire Gear Beyond this Point
This poster from FCSN can be placed in the fire station to remind firefighters to keep fire gear out of living areas.
Did You Wash Your Hands
This poster/ad/flyer from FCSN reminds firefighters to wash their hands to prevent the spread of viruses, bacteria, and carcinogens.
Letter to Primary Care Provider
FCSN provides this letter that firefighters can give to their primary care provider to let them know what increased risks firefighters face and what annual physical exams and screening tests are recommended for firefighters.
Tips for Supporting our Brothers and Sisters with Cancer
FCSN provides this list of tips on how to be there to support those brothers and sisters who have been diagnosed with cancer.
NVFC Position on Firefighter Medical Assessments
The NVFC supports annual medical assessments for all firefighters but understands the barriers and limitations that may exist. This document outlines several options for departments to consider in developing a firefighter medical assessment program.
NVFC Position Statement on Providing Second Firefighting Hood
The NVFC supports funding for and provision of a second firefighting hood to members to allow that they may switch to a clean hood after each fire while the contaminated hood is being washed.
NVFC Position Statement on Providing Gear Bags
The NVFC supports the funding and provision of gear bags to be issued to members that are required to transport their PPE in personally-owned vehicles.
Smoking Cessation Resources
The NVFC Heart-Healthy Firefighter Program provides resources to help firefighters quit smoking and fire departments to establish a no smoking policy.
National Volunteer Fire Council
The NVFC has compiled resources and tools to help address and prevent firefighter cancer.
First Responder Center for Excellence
An affiliate organization of the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, the center’s web site includes a toolkit, research, and legislation relating to firefighter cancer.
Fire Service Occupational Cancer Alliance
Facilitated by the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, the Fire Service Occupational Cancer Alliance is a joint fire service initiative to address cancer in the fire service.
Firefighter Cancer Support Network
The Firefighter Cancer Support Network provides support and assistance to firefighters and their families in the event of a cancer diagnosis, as well as resources for firefighter cancer research and prevention.
Firefighter Cancer Foundation
The Firefighter Cancer Foundation provides advocacy, education, prevention, and research in the area of firefighter cancer.
Fire Smoke Coalition
The Fire Smoke Coalition focuses on preventing the deadly and life-long consequences of breathing fire smoke by teaching firefighters and first responders how to Protect, Detect, Diagnose, and appropriately Treat the exposure if it occurs.
Presumptive Legislation for Firefighter Cancer
The First Responder Center for Excellence maintains a list of states that have cancer presumption laws in place to cover firefighters for one or more cancers under workers’ compensation.
Firefighter Cancer Registry Act of 2018
This bill, signed into law in July 2018, establishes a voluntary national firefighter cancer registry to be managed by the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention.
Lavender Ribbon Report webinars
The IAFC-VCOS and NVFC released a series of webinars focusing on the cancer prevention actions highlighted in the Lavender Ribbon Report:
NVFC Virtual Classroom
The NVFC Virtual Classroom contains dozens of courses including:
Study of Cancer Among U.S. Fire Fighters
NIOSH conducted a study of 30,000 firefighters from three large cities and found higher rates of several types of cancers, and of all cancers combined, than the U.S. population as a whole.
Cancer Risk Among Firefighters: A Review and Meta-analysis of 32 Studies
This 2006 study reviewed 32 previous studies on cancer risk among firefighters and determined that firefighters have probable higher risk for three types of cancers, with a possible higher risk for nine other cancers.
Fire Service Occupational Cancer Alliance Report
This report covers the proceedings of the Fire Service Occupational Cancer Alliance from January 2015-April 2016 and includes action items for prevention education, research, and advocacy.