The New Law Saving Central Texas Firefighters’ Lives

If you think fire is the only threat to firefighters...think again. 

Central Texas Firefighters to Receive Annual Cancer Screenings 

A new state law mandates that firefighters undergo annual cancer screenings. Under the Wade Cannon Act, all paid fire departments must provide a yearly cancer screening for employees. Early detection is key to fighting cancer. 

Fire Is Not the Only Risk to Firefighters 

Hewitt Fire Chief Jonathan Christian tells KWTX that carcinogens are present at every emergency call. Christian said, “Every time we go into a fire, we come out with all the carcinogens and smoke. It penetrates everything. We get exposed to a lot.” Firefighters rarely have knowledge of the substances burning in a fire. More often than not, inhaling these burning substances can cause cancer. 

Hazardous Materials and Fire 

Everything that burns is not deadly. Inhaling smoke from a campfire isn’t ideal, but it isn’t going to kill you. Chemical hazards are a different matter. 

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) – Known to cause bladder, skin, lung, and gastrointestinal disease. These chemicals are found in automobile exhaust, industrial emissions, garbage burning, cigarette smoke, charbroiled meats, coal tar, and creosote. 

Naphthalene and Benzine – Naphthalene and Benzene can penetrate firefighter protective gear. These are found in mothballs, moth flakes, and toilet deodorizers.

Polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) – These are the main threat to firefighters, often referred to as “forever chemicals” due to their breaking down at a very slow rate. This allows them to build up in the human body over time. Since the 1940s, these substances have been used in items such as nonstick cookware, stain-resistant fabrics, and firefighting foams.