After losing four firefighters to cancer in the past year, St. Louis Fire Chief Dennis Jenkerson said the department is starting to take a closer look at the link.
Numerous research has shown that firefighters have a higher risk for some cancer and cancer-related deaths because of the carcinogens they face when fighting flames.
According to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, one of the biggest changes the department will see is the need to decontaminate the gear and trucks after a fire. After putting out a fire, firefighters will be required to wipe their hands, face and neck to wash off the particles that can cause cancer.
In a video posted to Twitter, Chief Jenkerson said the biggest part will be finding funding to help pay for equipment needed to give firefighters a “step up on the cancer issue.” One piece of equipment needed is an extra set of turnout clothes, which costs about $1,500 each.
