Illinois fire fighters team up for Fire Fighter Cancer Awareness Month

SPRINGFIELD, ILL (WICS/WRSP) — Fire fighters here in the state are joining the fight against cancer.

January is Fire Fighter Cancer Awareness Month, and the Associated Fire Fighters of Illinois is partnering with groups to educate those about cancer prevention and survival.

Chuck Sullivan, president of AFFI said occupational cancer is the leading cause of line of duty deaths in the fire service because of the exposure to many toxic chemicals.

“We know when we take that oath that this is a dangerous job, there’s no question about that, and we understand that we might make the ultimate sacrifice during a shift,” he said.

Each week the partnership is providing a different course of education including how they can protect themselves at the station, on fire ground and while they’re off duty.

The final week will be presentations from cancer survivors.

The goal is to educate them on decontaminating the fire ground and limit exposure to PFAs and carcinogens moving forward.

Sullivan added that his union previously sued the National Fire Protection Agency in hopes of removing PFAs that can be found in their bunker gear.