‘It just keeps happening’: Missouri firefighters sound alarm bells on rising cancer rates

ST. LOUIS, Mo. (First Alert 4) - Firefighters and doctors across St. Louis are worried about the growing evidence of cancer and firefighter death. In some areas, it’s considered a leading cause of firefighter deaths.

The Mehlville Fire Protection District has been honoring the life of firefighter, paramedic and engineer Tina Mecey, who was laid to rest earlier this week. She died of presumptive cancer, and her officers and doctors believe she contracted the cancer on the job.

First Alert 4 has been following her story and the impacts of cancer on the firefighting profession in this continuing series.

Mehlville Fire Chief Brian Hendricks tells First Alert 4 that even though they’re adapting their policies, updating their gear and focusing on cancer training — “it just keeps happening” — meaning the deaths and sicknesses of cancer on firefighters.

Work on this challenge has been happening for decades internationally, and one organization has been tracking hundreds of fighters for years. The Fire Fighter Cancer Cohort Study (FFCCS) was started in 2016 with help from FEMA, focused on gathering nationwide data on firefighter health and exposure information connected to cancer-causing substances.

The directors of the study hope they can track the long-term health of firefighters over three decades.

The Lavender Ribbon Report provides best practices for limiting cancer risks in firefighters.

“Cancer is a leading health risk facing firefighters, largely due to the chemicals and carcinogens they are exposed to while on the job,” the report states.

Doctors with the Siteman Cancer Center and of the Missouri Firefighters Critical Illness Pool tell First Alert 4 that’s the major danger of firefighter cancer.

Retired Eureka Fire Chief Greg Brown says he’ll talk to anyone who wants to talk about firefighter cancer. He says he became interested in helping with the Illness Pool after so many of the firefighters he had as mentors developed cancer themselves.

He agrees with multiple medical experts and Chief Hendricks that a change in culture must take place across the firefighting industry to protect young people — putting a focus on safety, masking and quality cleaning.

Many experts feel the main danger is from cancer-causing agents that are present in fires, as plastics, paint and other materials burn away.

Carcinogens are any substance that might cause cancer, and when a structure burns, experts tell First Alert 4 the particles in the air can linger on the skin or clothing — causing more exposure — and potentially leading to cancer.

Dr. Adetunji Toriola of the Siteman Center says firefighter cancer risks is somewhat a new concern — and that it’s only been in the last few years research has shown a serious connection between cancer risk and firefighting activities.

He says that early screening for cancer is important for anyone — but particularly firefighters.

Retired firefighters tell First Alert 4 they’ve seen a number of friends from cancer complications in Missouri. The Critical Illness Pool provides for cancer challenges faced by families and firefighters dealing with cancer complications.

“Firefighters have a 9% higher risk of developing cancer and a 14% higher risk of dying from cancer compared to the general public,” federal estimates state.

Inhalation, absorption and ingestion through the nose, mouth or skin are leading theories of how cancer attacks a firefighter. Mehlville Fire officials say that in the past, their crews used to keep their gear dirty and in vehicles — not anymore. Keeping gear clean and with a vapor barrier is now routine and required, according to Chief Brian Hendricks tells First Alert 4.

Some other research has shown strong connections between cancer risk and firefighters including the International Association of Fire Fighters who has been researching the issue internationally, the U.S. Fire istration and its impact on occupational cancer, the American Cancer Society has done plenty of research of toxic exposure.

TINA MECEY

Tina Mecey was a career firefighter who ed away on January 14 of presumptive cancer, which means it is likely she developed complications on the job. Her superiors believe presumptive cancer is a massive problem facing the entire firefighting community.

A slew of studies have shown a strong link between cancer and fire response. In Mecey’s case, she was rushing to old buildings, car accidents and other tragedies, knowing very little about the environment she was stepping into.

The Mehlville Fire Protection District says Mecey ed away eight weeks after her diagnosis. Her superiors say she was exposed to all sorts of chemicals, and the impacts are devastating.

“Eight weeks ago, she was on that fire truck. Firefighters and paramedics come into with that stuff every day, from the diesel exhaust in this engine room to being in a house fire. They do it right, they do it the way it is supposed to be done, and yet, it still happens,” said Mehville Fire Chief Brian Hendricks.

The Mehlville Fire Protection District takes the cancer danger very seriously and has cutting-edge gear to help protect against it.

Avery Martinez covers water, ag & the environment for First Alert 4. He is also a Report for America corps member, as well as a member of the Mississippi River Basin Ag & Water Desk. His coverage goes from corn farms to hunting concerns, and local water rates to rancher mental health.

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