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Brittany Tolbert
Mrs. Hensel
English IV
November 11, 2015
Running toward burning buildings is a risk fire fighters face daily. But the true cost of the job
could appear years later
A Firefighters job is to save people from fires, natural disasters, chemical spills, car
accidents and much more, however these situations put fire fighters health at risk. Fire fighters
face heat, flames, physical and mental stress, and high levels of carbon monoxide and other toxic
risks in the areas around fires. They go through intense training to prepare them for dangerous
situations in order to save peoples lives, however those situations put their health at risk. Fire
fighters work in dangerous environments and face unique health hazards, as a fire fighter you
have a greater risk for heart attacks, certain cancers, and struggling with psychological illnesses
due to stress.
Cardiovascular disease accounts for 45% of all work-related deaths among fire fighters.
This risk is high during firefighting itself. There are several different factors as to why the risks
of heart attacks with fire fighter is so high, It may be caused by heavy work near hot fires,
exposure to carbon monoxide, and other stresses associated with the job. Lack of physical
fitness, being overweight, and smoking make these risks higher. Firefighting is a high-hazard
job, and at times extremely physically demanding. It involves heavy lifting and maneuvering
while wearing heavy clothing and protective gear in a hot environment. In addition, exposure to
carbon monoxide and particulate matter in the air is routine, and there is a highly variable risk of
exposure to a broad array of other toxic chemicals generated from the smoke of burning

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materials (Health risks to Firefighters). Although training helps fire fighters deal with these
situations many of them arent aware of the increased risks their job causes.
Sadly cancer has also become a common diagnosis among fire fighters, they are at a
significantly increased risk for developing cancer, especially testicular cancer, prostate cancer,
multiple myeloma and non-Hodgkins lymphoma. This is due to their frequent exposure to
carcinogenic chemicals, including the exhaust from diesel engines such as those found on fire
trucks They also may be exposed to benzene, formaldehyde, styrene, chloroform and soot.
These are very toxic and cause several complications other than just cancer (Quarters). Firemen
may encounter these substances when working on a fire as well as in the fire station, and can
absorb these and other carcinogens through their skin or by inhalation. Firefighters have a 30 to
100 percent greater chance of developing melanoma and certain cancers of the esophagus, lung,
prostate, brain and kidneys. Firefighters have higher rates of cancer than the rest of us,
according to a recent study by the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health. Cancers
of the respiratory, digestive and urinary systems account for much of the reported cases, the
study found (Coyle), No one is ever prepared for a diagnosis like that, Firefighters account for
double the reported cases of mesothelioma, a rare cancer which targets the thin tissue that covers
many internal organs (Coyle).
Many jobs are considered dangerous and stressful by their very nature, Firefighting is one
of the most life-threatening and emotionally traumatic occupations. I think we all can imagine
the physical stress firefighters experience in their work environments but what about mentally?
The high levels of stress that firefighters routinely encounter can lead to chemical dependency,
physical illness, emotional problems, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Firefighters
receive little if any training or support to help them cope emotionally with traumatic stress

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(Sweeney). Following a distressing incident (the death of a child, a mass fatality, or the death of
a fellow firefighter in the line of duty) some fire departments may carry out a critical incident
stress debriefing (CISD) or offer the assistance of a department chaplain. only a small number of
departments offer educational programs on coping with traumatic stress and grief for the
firefighters, their families, and department chaplains PTSD is very real, and a lot of firefighters
suffer from it but have never been clinically diagnosed (Meroney).
It is very important for firefighters to be aware of these serious risks they face when they
are working. Firefighters work in dangerous environments and face unique health hazards, as a
firefighter you have a greater risk for heart attacks, certain cancers, and struggling with
psychological illnesses due to stress, it is critical for firefighters to learn how they can prevent
themselves from getting these illnesses. They put their life on the line to help us whenever we
need it and by doing that they barely think of the consequences they face just by doing their job.
It is critical for us to inform our fellow Firefighters to do whatever they can to prevent these risks
and help them if they are struggling with this. We owe it to them.

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Works Cited
"Health Risks To Fire Fighters." Health Risks To Fire Fighters. IAFF Firefighters, n.d. Web. 12
Nov. 2015.

Quarters, Cindy. "The Risks of Being a Fireman." Work. Demand Media, n.d. Web. 12 Nov.
2015.

Coyle, KING-TV Meg. "Study: Firefighters Have Higher Rates of Cancer." USA Today. Gannett,
21 May 2014. Web. 12 Nov. 2015.

Sweeney, Peggy. "Firefighters at Risk ~ The Negative Effects of Stress and Trauma on the
Human Spirit." Grieving Behind the Badge. N.p., 24 June 2014. Web. 12 Nov. 2015.

Meroney, Brian. "Dealing with PTSD in the Fire Service | Firefighter Nation." Firefighter
Nation. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Nov. 2015.