Fire Chief Brian Stauth stands by a fire engine after describing the increased risk of cancers that firefighters are exposed to. Cam Potts, local firefighter, has recently been diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia.--NEWS PHOTO
GILLIAN SLADE
gslade@medicinehatnews.com@MHNGillianSlade
Fire Chief Brain Stauth says firefighters face an increased risk of developing cancer, and this has hit home recently in Medicine Hat.
Cam Potts, who has been with Medicine Hat Fire Service since 2004 as part of his 20-year firefighting career, was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and is undergoing treatment in Calgary.
Stauth says it has taken an emotional toll on his colleagues but also creates a resolve to help him overcome.
“Firefighters contract cancer at a rate 9 to 10 per cent higher than the general population and die from cancer at a rate 14 to 15 per cent higher than the general population,” said Stauth.
He says in the past 10 to 15 years there has been a strong initiative to further protect firefighters on the job with personal protection equipment. This is even worn on site when a fire is already extinguished.
While protection has improved for firefighters, Stauth says, they face modern building products and household items that give off polycyclic aeromatics hydrocarbons (PAH), which are known to have DNA mutagens. These include carpets, furniture, appliances, counter tops and electronics, not to mention building materials.
“They burn hotter and faster and can create chemical cocktails,” said Stauth.
He says every effort is made to eliminate contact and mitigate risk. In addition to breathing apparatus, they wear a balaclava, have sleeve cuffs, and uniforms are custom fitted to reduce contact with the skin where it can be absorbed.
Stauth says after a fire they wipe down their kits and wipe their body to limit absorption. Their clothes go through a special cleaning process at the fire station.
“We try to do as much as possible to limit the hydrocarbons in the living area at the station and prevent them taking them home,” said Stauth.
Alberta recognizes 17 types of cancer as presumptive for firefighters, Stauth says, meaning they do not need to prove the illness was work related.
“It’s a recognition of how serious the problem is,” said Stauth. “In the last 10 years two in Medicine Hat died of cancer and many more were diagnosed and received treatment.”
Potts was diagnosed in late January after a bone marrow biopsy and has a six-month treatment plan. A Go Fund Me page has been established to provide support for Potts, his wife and children.
https://www.gofundme.com/love-for-cam-potts?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=fb_dn_cpgntopstickysmall_r&fbclid=IwAR1XBx3U1ruvAqT3Z6KThLMuxgWHkt_P7oKcm_nuJBpIGzBHugHOr_6w1hs
