“Firefighters risk their lives and safety to protect their communities from danger. But the leading cause of death in the fire service isn’t fires or explosions – it’s occupational cancer. Our administration proudly supports the Department of Fire Services’ work to promote cancer awareness, prevention and early detection among Massachusetts firefighters. We are deeply grateful to our partners in the fire service and medical community for raising awareness of this life-or-death issue, and to our partners in the Legislature for supporting the funding that makes our screening programs, safety equipment grants, and other initiatives possible.”
VIDEO EXTRA: Chief Russ Osgood (FCSN) introduces the National FF Skin Cancer Screening Initiative under a partnership with the American Academy of Dermatology  |
Mr. Wark described his agency's commitment to the Massachusetts fire service which includes the municipal fire departments and those fire departments on military bases across the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. "We do that in a few different ways; through hazardous materials response, operational support at major fire and emergency scenes, firefighter training and operational capabilities including the Firefighter Cancer Awareness Prevention and Early Detection program."
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| Source: facebook.com/MassDFS |
Our publishers honor the Mass. DFS and its leaders as true role models for a national blueprint for all states when it comes to prevention and early detection for ALL fire service personnel. According to Dr. Robert Bard, medical diagnostic advisor for the Firefighters Against Cancer & Exposures and NYC radiologist, "Studying their cancer awareness and screening programs earmark a most well thought-out set of initiatives for monitoring their members' health (from the critical nature of occupational hazards) both during their service and after. To have municipal and governmental bodies collaborate and partner with outside medical professionals like Dr. Kannler, you're (finally) getting the best strategies and proper care for the firefighters. All states can learn from this model. In a word, Massachusetts DFS is doing it RIGHT!"
Part 2: FROM THE DFS INTERVIEW: by Jake Wark
The DFS was created in 1996 to bring several fire service functions under one roof (some going back almost 130 years) The state fire marshal's office was created in the 1890s to support with fire investigation. Under the same roof, we have the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy which trains firefighters for most of the cities and towns in Massachusetts. Our recruit programs serve career, call, and volunteer firefighters. (In Massachusetts, about 70% of our cities and towns are served, at least in part by call and volunteer firefighters.)
The Fire Academy also provides in-service training for veteran and experienced firefighters up to and including chief officers. We provide, coordinate and deploy the hazmat teams that serve the entire state from six different regions. The cancer Firefighter Cancer Awareness Prevention and Early Detection program has really grown over the past several years- since around 2018, when we started partnering with Dr. Kannler.
The cancer program really started with skin cancer and a partnership with Dr. Kannler whose primary focus is on skin cancer (understandably) because she's a dermatologist. But cancer in many forms is much more common among firefighters than the general public that they protect. Many of us think of the fact that products of combustion today, the smoke and the toxins that are contained in that smoke are very different than they were 20, 30, 40 years ago. We used to see natural materials like wood and cotton burning in house fires, but today, it's plastics, it's synthetics... and those all release toxic and carcinogenic chemicals when they burn.
Since inception, our cancer program has really expanded through the years to the point where we began offering oral cancer screenings, chest CT scans and PSA blood tests. In the past year, we began offering mammograms and ultrasounds through contracted vendors. We're really trying to support firefighters with the services that are most appropriate to them. One of the reasons that this is important is that municipal firefighters (in many cases) will not have insurance coverage for those screenings. We want to offer screenings as early as possible because they are more likely to receive an early cancer diagnosis but less likely to have screening covered by their insurance at the appropriate age. Unfortunately, firefighters are more likely to be diagnosed with these cancers much earlier than the public that they protect.
The Department of Fire Services has always been a service and support agency. The crystallization that occupational cancer was something we needed to confront came about in the late 2010's. It became a topic of increased conversation, awareness and concern among the fire departments in Massachusetts and among our PA public safety leaders.
Brain Health Education and Training for First Responders (Part 1)
By Marilyn Abrahamson, MA,CCC-SLP-CBHC
First responders, including police officers, firefighters, and emergency medical personnel, face high-stress situations every day, putting immense pressure on their mental and physical well-being. The demanding nature of their jobs requires peak cognitive performance and quick decision-making abilities. With this in mind, brain health education and training are critical to ensure their cognitive function remains sharp, and to enable them to cope with their occupational challenges.
1) Mediterranean or MIND Diet: A brain-healthy diet, such as the Mediterranean diet, or the MIND diet, plays a pivotal role in supporting cognitive health. Rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, healthy fats, and lean proteins, both diets provide essential nutrients that promote brain function. Omega-3 fatty acids found in fish, for example, have been associated with improved memory and cognitive performance. By adopting such a diet, first responders can properly nourish their brains, and enhance their ability to quickly and accurately process information while under stress.
2) Exercise: Regular physical activity has profound effects on brain health. Exercise increases blood flow to the brain, delivering essential nutrients and oxygen crucial for optimal cognitive performance. Additionally, it stimulates the release of neurotransmitters like dopamine and endorphins, reducing stress and anxiety while improving mood and overall mental well-being. Incorporating exercise routines into their daily lives can enhance the cognitive resilience of first responders.
4) Stress Management: High-stress situations are an inherent part of a first responder's profession, leading to increased levels of cortisol and other stress hormones. Chronic stress can negatively impact the brain's structure and function, leading to cognitive decline over time. Implementing stress management techniques like mindfulness, deep breathing, and relaxation exercises can help mitigate the damaging effects of stress on the brain.
7) Attention Training: First responders must maintain vigilant attention to assess situations rapidly and accurately. Cognitive training programs can help them develop sustained attention, allowing them to concentrate on critical details for prolonged periods without succumbing to distractions. These programs often include exercises involving visual and auditory stimuli, forcing responders to remain focused amidst external interruptions.
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