The Orange County Fire Authority takes cancer seriously and wants its firefighters, employees and the greater community to do the same. They encourage everyone to take a proactive approach with cancer prevention and treatment.
Firefighters with the Orange County Fire Authority have raised thousands of dollars for breast cancer research and wear pink to spread cancer awareness.
Photo credit: Orange County Register
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health estimates that cancer is the second leading cause of death among firefighters, followed by cardiovascular disease. According to the Firefighter Cancer Alliance, cancer deaths among firefighters and fire service employees have risen dramatically over the last 20 years due to synthetic products, plastics and other toxic chemicals that can release carcinogens during a fire.
For firefighters, exposure to these materials can significantly increase their risk of developing cancer. Of course, firefighters are not immune to other types of cancer that affect the public too. The Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) works to spread cancer awareness by encouraging screenings and proactive treatment plans.
The Wildland Firefighter Foundation provides aid to firefighters injured while battling grass or forest fires throughout the Western region, and supports families of fallen wildland firefighters. The Foundation may also help with travel costs to bring family members to the bedside of an injured firefighter, or could help replace lost wages during a firefighter’s medical leave. For more information about services and support offered by the Wildland Firefighter Foundation, visit their website. The Wildland Firefighter Foundation and the Orange County Fire Authority share common goals of providing resources to help keep our country’s firefighters supported, healthy and safe.
