Established in July 2016 with funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Fire Fighter Cancer Cohort Study (FFCCS) gathers nationwide data on firefighter health, including surveys, biomarkers, and exposure information related to cancer-causing substances. This partnership with the fire service aims to understand the health impacts of these exposures and prevent associated risks.
The long-term goal is to track the health of 10,000 firefighters from multiple fire departments across the nation over a span of 30 years.
Firefighters are exposed to multiple carcinogens in the workplace through inhalation, skin contamination, and ingestion. Cancer is a leading cause of fire service morbidity and mortality, and the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has determined that occupational exposure as a firefighter causes cancer.
As of September 30th, 2024, 6,287 firefighters from over 275 departments across 31 states are participating in the FFCCS.
And now, according to a report by Fox40.com, The Wildfire Conservancy is conducting a first-of-a-kind cancer study on firefighters battling the Palisades Fire. The goal is to track how wildland and urban interface firefighters’ extreme conditions increase their risk of cancer.
The initiative is a collaboration with Cal Fire, the National Firefighter Cancer Cohort Study, and the University of Arizona. This comes after the International Agency for Research on Cancer officially classified firefighting as a carcinogenic profession.
The doctor leading the study describes the conditions of the Palisades Fire as a “toxic soup of air and ash.“ “This is the equivalent of a 9/11 scale exposure incident and we need to start treating them like this,” Dr. Matt Rahn, Executive Director of Wildfire Conservatory.
The firefighters battling the Palisades blaze are being exposed to hazardous substances like carbon monoxide, and heavy metals which can lead to cancer, respiratory issues, and neurological damage.
The 50 participating firefighters get their blood drawn, provide a urine sample, and share personal details. They’re also given silicone wristbands that absorb contaminants like ash, soot, and smoke that will be tested.
“We are making plans with Cal Fire and others in the study to do a post-exposure, post-fire blood sample,” the Doctor continues. “One of the things that we’re able to look at is micro-RNA in the blood because it’s a marker of how much DNA damage has been done.”