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119th Annual Meeting and Conference of the
Vermont State Firefighters' Association
Hosted by the Rutland County Fire Mutual Aid Association
August 8th - 10th, 2008 in Rutland, VT

The Firefighter Protection Act of 2007 was passed into law and signed by Governor James Douglas on July 1, 2007. This law recognizes that there are certain cancers that are seen with increased incidence in firefighters. The law also recognizes that there is an occupational risk of contracting these cancers and requires that Workman’s Compensation would cover the cancers if they occur. The cancers which are covered by this law are leukemia, lymphoma, multiple myeloma, cancers originating in the gastrointestinal tract, bladder, brain, colon, liver, pancreas, skin or testicles. One cancer in particular that is not covered is lung cancer. The coverage is based on various research studies showing an increased incidence of certain cancers in firefighters above the general public. Lung cancer rates in firefighters are not increased over the public.

Firefighters are exposed to many carcinogens during their work. Particulates, gasses, mists and fumes exist at the fire scene. Heavy metal exposure from metals such as lead, antimony, and cadmium can occur. Many chemicals are the byproducts of combustion and contain polyaromatic hydrocarbons formaldehydes, benzene, and other carcinogens. Minerals such as asbestos and silicates are also known to promote carcinogenesis.

The law is specific about the firefighters which are covered. All firefighters should undergo an initial cancer screening within two years of the day the law was enacted. The deadline is July, 1, 2009. All firefighters are covered after 5 years of service on the department. All firefighters are covered for 10 years after their retirement, or the last fire attended, as long as their age is less than 65 years old. Newly hired firefighters should undergo a cancer screening at the time of their hiring.  Most importantly, to be eligible, a firefighter should abstain from tobacco products for 10 years. 

The cancer screening for each firefighter is based on the American Cancer Society’s routine cancer screening guidelines. For males, under the age of 45, a routine physical exam with attention to the head and neck region, lymph nodes, abdomen, testicles, as well as other routinely examined organ systems is sufficient. Over 45 years old, consideration of a PSA and digital rectal exam added to the routine exam, should be done, especially if there is a family history of prostate cancer.  Above 50 years old, colonoscopy, rectal exam and PSA should be done. Women in the fire service should also have mammography and gynecologic exams with PAP smears as directed by their physicians based on screening guidelines. Most firefighters will have had most, if not all of these tests done by their physicians as part of routine health maintenance.