When you think of the dangers of being a firefighter, you probably think of getting burned, or being trapped in a building when it collapses. But one of the greatest dangers faced by firefighters everyday is cancer.

Now, I know what you're thinking. Of course! They'd be prone to lung cancer because of all the smoke! And that's true, to an extent, although they do wear protective gear to help deal with that.

But it's more than lung cancer. See, firefighters spend their workdays dealing with toxic gases created by household products, especially that flame retardant on your furniture and clothing. And, long time firefighter Captain Mike Nixon told me this week, it actually doesn't work all that well. There's another solution that would work a lot better.

"I've never been to a fire in my professional career where I've said 'whoa, I'm glad they put fire retardant on the couch or on some clothes.' I have been to fires where I've thought if it wasn't for that sprinkler system, we would've really had a serious fire and this building wouldn't have lasted. It either knocked it down or put it out."

Maine firefighters would like to see legislation that would require sprinklers in residential one and two-family houses. Nixon says that would be monumentally more effective than the chemical treatments that just end up turning into toxic gas that's dangerous to the home's occupants and the firefighters.

Nixon knows what he's talking about when it comes to firefighters with cancer. He is currently dealing with lymphatic cancer that started as skin cancer. And he wanted us to tell everyone about a very special network that's been invaluable to him.

The Firefighter Cancer Support Network matches firefighters up with others who have already been through what they're battling. A mentor can help educate a recently diagnosed firefighter on what to expect, how to cope, and just generally offers moral support. Nixon says he was teamed up with a firefighter from Colorado who has made the experience much easier to navigate and a little less frightening. He urges any firefighter currently battling cancer to visit the website and get a mentor.

 

More From WQCB Brewer Maine