How the City of Maricopa is Protecting Our Firefighters and Community

Published on January 16, 2024

Firefighters are exposed to a myriad of toxins and carcinogens during the course of their duties, from the smoke and fumes produced in burning buildings to the chemicals present in various materials. As a result, they face an elevated risk of developing cancer compared to the general population. In fact, the World Health Organization has designated firefighting as a carcinogenic job, elevating their risk status to the same level as nuclear scientists. 

January is Firefighter Cancer Prevention Month, serving as a crucial reminder that safeguarding the health of these brave men and women is not just a moral imperative but a necessity.

“The safety of our community rests on the shoulders of healthy firefighters—dedicated, resilient, and committed to not only responding to emergencies but actively preventing them,” Maricopa Fire Chief Brad Pitassi explains. “The City of Maricopa’s Fire/Medical Department (MFMD) has made some exceptional progress over the years and strives to be ahead of the curve when it comes to preventative measures.”

Since 2018, every fire truck ordered by MFMD has been outfitted with a clean cab. This means the firefighter’s equipment stays in a separate compartment before and after use so that none of the chemicals, carcinogens, or debris sits with them while they are travelling to and from calls. This has been a major shift from the standard operating procedures of other departments, as most firefighters will don their turnouts and other equipment as soon as they receive a call.

"Even with this change, the MFMD has not seen an increase in our average response times, so service is not sacrificed for safety,” Chief Pitassi shares.

As well as working with occupational health professionals, the MFMD has their own designated Health and Safety Captain, Jay Evans, working with our firefighters and consistently sharing education and best practices.

“It is imperative that every member of the MFMD is well informed about the potential risks they face and every opportunity available to help mitigate them,” Pitassi adds.

Moreover, Firefighter Cancer Prevention Month encourages the implementation of state-of-the-art protective measures and equipment. The MFMD utilizes special extractors in lieu of regular washing machines. These devices are completely customizable, from the temperature and level of spin to utilizing a special fluid that removes more carcinogens than standard equipment. The purpose is to ensure that every area the firefighters walk through or work in is as clean as possible, ensuring their safety at all times.

Another tool that has been recently added to their cancer-fighting arsenal is the Storm Stick. This device when coupled with a detergent solution can actively clean a firefighter's gear and clothing immediately after exiting a fire. Removing these hydrocarbons as quickly as possible is imperative for the health and wellness of the MFMD crew.

Utilizing additional preventative measures is a staple of the MFMD’s plan of service. The newest fire station which is currently under design will be engineered with the most advanced cancer and carcinogen mitigation tools available. The bay where vehicles are parked will be completely isolated from the living area with a specific section in between for cleaning and decontamination. This level of forward-thinking is a testament to the dedication the City of Maricopa’s senior leadership has towards the health and wellness of those that are responsible for taking care of the community.

“These extra measures taken by the MFMD not only ensure the longevity of our crews, but also provide the community with reliable and effective service,” Pitassi says. “With less firefighters out on medical leave, residents of the City of Maricopa can rest at ease knowing their public safety teams are operating at the highest capacity possible.”