Mayor David D. Ortega, City of Scottsdale | City of Scottsdale website
Mayor David D. Ortega, City of Scottsdale | City of Scottsdale website
The Scottsdale Fire Department is set to participate in a $4 million grant aimed at addressing occupational cancer among firefighters. This initiative has been awarded by the Arizona Board of Regents.
The University of Arizona will spearhead the study, collaborating with the Arizona Fire Chiefs Association and Arizona State University. The research aims to assess whether blood or plasma donations can reduce levels of "forever chemicals" that are known to cause cancer. These chemicals, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), are encountered by firefighters through various sources such as burning household items, personal protective equipment contamination, and firefighter foam used for extinguishing fires involving liquids.
Statistics indicate that firefighters face a 9 percent higher risk of being diagnosed with cancer and a 14 percent higher risk of dying from it compared to the general U.S. population.
“This grant and the research it will fund are beacons of hope for our firefighters,” stated Tom Shannon, who serves as both Scottsdale Fire Chief and President of the Arizona Fire Chiefs Association. “Our great hope is that it will improve life outcomes for our firefighters.”
The fire chiefs association plans to collaborate with the Professional Firefighters of Arizona to recruit participants from across the state, including those in fire districts and municipalities. Personnel from Scottsdale Fire Department will be part of the targeted group comprising 1,500 individuals.
“We are committed to protecting and saving the lives of these people who put their lives on the line for our communities daily,” added Shannon.
Chief Shannon's commitment is deeply personal due to his nephew Austin Peck's death from occupational cancer in 2019. Peck was an 11-year veteran firefighter diagnosed with sino-nasal undifferentiated carcinoma in 2015.
“We miss him every day,” said Shannon.
For further details about this study, interested parties can visit www.azregents.edu and search for "firefighter cancer research grant."
Alerts Sign-up