We are the fire service. We’re all about fighting fires and kicking its butt. We have always believed that for most materials, we put the “wet stuff on the red stuff” and we’re done. Sure, we might catch a “snootfull” of smoke; perhaps suffer a small burn here, a steam burn there, maybe even a broken bone. Yes, we’ve had tragic losses too, from time-to-time, but those were usually the building’s fault!
However, in the aftermath of 9|11, we suffered a strong dose of reality – what’s actually burning in many of these fires is “fighting back,” by off-gassing and/or releasing toxic chemical compounds and high levels of carcinogenic substances that are found in much of the furnishings of our homes and offices. In turn, creating, for all intents and purposes, an “epidemic” of various and sometimes, strange types of cancer to those who have taken the oath to protect lives and property in the communities which we serve.
My guest on this podcast is Heather Mazurkiewicz. She is a lead advocate in the Florida chapter of the Firefighter Cancer Support Network. She works very hard, all too often, out of the spotlight, to help Florida firefighters avoid hearing the news of a cancer diagnosis, and if they do, to support both the firefighter as well as his or her family.
If you are a firefighter, no matter where you may live or work, you stand a significantly higher probability of a cancer diagnosis than the average citizen in your country. Please – listen to this podcast, listen to what Heather advises and learn what you can do to reduce your exposure risks and keep yourself alive and hopefully thriving through a long career and a long and healthy retirement.
