SALT LAKE CITY—The men and women who fight wildfires in Utah face intense heat, smoke, and danger. But beyond the immediate hazards of a fire, they face an invisible threat: an increased risk of cancer caused by years of exposure to toxic chemicals.
In a pioneering effort to protect its workforce, the State of Utah has joined forces with the University of Arizona on a national research project. This partnership combines cutting-edge science with powerful state laws to determine exactly what firefighters are exposed to and ensure their long-term health protection.
Tracking Invisible Threats
Wildland crews with the Utah Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands Wildland Fire Operations Center, are taking part in the Firefighter Cancer Cohort Study (FFCCS) led by the University of Arizona. This large-scale, long-term study is designed to track how cancer and other diseases affect firefighters over their entire careers—a period that can last up to 30 years.
The study in Utah is looking beyond just active firefighting. Wildland crews spend much of their time doing fuels mitigation work, which involves using chainsaws and heavy equipment to clear landscapes of fuels that increase fire potential.
“Now we’re able to see what the risks are of this job, not only on the fire side, but the fuels reduction side,” said Janik Sundberg, Unit Supervisor for the Thunder Mountain fuels crew. He explained that during non-fire work, crews are still surrounded by hazards like “saw fumes, diesel fuel and fumes, whatever’s around”.
The main goal of the research is to figure out exactly which chemicals firefighters are exposed to, how much, and what kind of harm they cause. The ultimate objective is to discover and test new ways to keep firefighters safe.
How the Research Works
To get a complete picture of a firefighter’s exposure, researchers use two key methods:
- Biological Samples: Firefighters provide blood and urine samples on a “normal day” to establish a baseline. Urine samples are especially useful because they serve as a “proxy” for showing which dangerous chemicals are actually absorbed into the body.
- Silicone Wristbands: Firefighters wear special silicone wristbands that act like little sponges, soaking up environmental chemicals, such as combustion products or contaminants from diesel fuel. By testing the wristbands, researchers can measure the concentration of toxins firefighters encounter while on duty, whether they are fighting a blaze or running a chainsaw.
By comparing what is in the environment with what gets into the body, scientists can find the best ways to protect the crews.
Utah’s Commitment to Its Firefighters
Last year, the state legislature passed House Bill 65 (HB 65), which provides significant resources to protect firefighter health.
First, the bill allocated funding for advanced cancer screenings for 1,500 firefighters. These aren’t simple checkups—they include full-body MRI, CT scans on the lungs, a full body dermatology check, in addition to lab analysis, each designed to catch cancer in its earliest, most treatable stages.
Second, the law expanded the state’s presumptive cancer coverage. This means that 15 specific cancers are now presumed to be caused by firefighting duties. This is a critical legal step that makes it much easier for a firefighter who is diagnosed with cancer to get workers’ compensation benefits and financial support.
For the leadership overseeing the state’s crews, this support is vital for the future of the profession.
Deputy Fire Management Officer Jesse Trembly noted that the legislative action shows state leaders are looking ahead. “Just to know the legislators working at the Capitol have our back and are allocating funding to help our firefighters, and not just our current firefighters, but it’s our future firefighters as well,” Trembly stated. “It’s thinking beyond just who’s employed now and setting our folks up for the future.”
By combining top-tier scientific study with concrete legislative protection, Utah is setting a national example. This effort not only protects current crews but also ensures that future generations of firefighters who step into this dangerous and vital career are safeguarded by data-driven policies.
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