THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2015
Proactive steps are beginning to be taken across Ohio to
prevent the new killer claiming careers and lives of firefighters. Cancer is
haunting firehouse after firehouse, with studies pointing to a link between
cancers and the job firefighters do.
There was a meeting of the minds Wednesday to discuss methods of prevention and bring about an increased awareness.
“When you’re a firefighter you have a mindset that you can do anything, that nothing can stop you,” Firefighter Mark Rine said. “Now, every day you’re basically reminded that that life is gone.”
ABC 6/FOX 28 introduced you to Mark Rine last July. He has melanoma cancer and was told he only has a couple more years to live. Rine’s cancer is one of several skin-related cancers that researchers say is linked to firefighting.
Rine’s made it his mission to educate firefighters across the state, even setting up a day-long summit to force a change in culture and prevent future cases of cancer.
“You don’t have time to look back and think what you would have changed because once you’re in my shoes, time goes even faster,” Rine said.
“We want to put a structural base where firefighters are thinking of the very basics such as returning from a fire, cleaning your gear and cleaning yourself,” Mark Sanders, president of the Ohio Association of Professional Firefighters said.
From the unfiltered clothes firefighters wear, to how often it’s washed, and repeat exposure to toxic environments, firefighters are now taking more precautions.
“It’s those early days of getting into some good habits of understanding that in a fire there’s carcinogens,” Paul Wright with the Ohio Fire Chief’s Association said.
New synthetic materials and arsenic create new dangers. Protection mean more time decontaminating and cleaning equipment and firefighters themselves.
For those already diagnosed, a new Senate bill was introduced this week. It’s a cancer presumption law that could financially cover firefighters’ cancer treatment. Ohio is one of only a handful of states that doesn’t have a law on the books.
“That is one tool in the toolbox,” Sanders said. “But that’s almost after the fact.”
However, the bigger plan is stopping cancer before it starts growing, through education and early detection.
“Through my journey, others will learn and really to me, that’s a blessing,” Rine said.
Firefighters Rine says two new tumors were found and he’s undergoing chemotherapy. He has a wife and five children.
Rine wants all firefighters to take every precaution seriously to prevent repeat exposure to toxins.
There was a meeting of the minds Wednesday to discuss methods of prevention and bring about an increased awareness.
“When you’re a firefighter you have a mindset that you can do anything, that nothing can stop you,” Firefighter Mark Rine said. “Now, every day you’re basically reminded that that life is gone.”
ABC 6/FOX 28 introduced you to Mark Rine last July. He has melanoma cancer and was told he only has a couple more years to live. Rine’s cancer is one of several skin-related cancers that researchers say is linked to firefighting.
Rine’s made it his mission to educate firefighters across the state, even setting up a day-long summit to force a change in culture and prevent future cases of cancer.
“You don’t have time to look back and think what you would have changed because once you’re in my shoes, time goes even faster,” Rine said.
“We want to put a structural base where firefighters are thinking of the very basics such as returning from a fire, cleaning your gear and cleaning yourself,” Mark Sanders, president of the Ohio Association of Professional Firefighters said.
From the unfiltered clothes firefighters wear, to how often it’s washed, and repeat exposure to toxic environments, firefighters are now taking more precautions.
“It’s those early days of getting into some good habits of understanding that in a fire there’s carcinogens,” Paul Wright with the Ohio Fire Chief’s Association said.
New synthetic materials and arsenic create new dangers. Protection mean more time decontaminating and cleaning equipment and firefighters themselves.
For those already diagnosed, a new Senate bill was introduced this week. It’s a cancer presumption law that could financially cover firefighters’ cancer treatment. Ohio is one of only a handful of states that doesn’t have a law on the books.
“That is one tool in the toolbox,” Sanders said. “But that’s almost after the fact.”
However, the bigger plan is stopping cancer before it starts growing, through education and early detection.
“Through my journey, others will learn and really to me, that’s a blessing,” Rine said.
Firefighters Rine says two new tumors were found and he’s undergoing chemotherapy. He has a wife and five children.
Rine wants all firefighters to take every precaution seriously to prevent repeat exposure to toxins.