b'O P E R A T I O N SR O U T I N E DOCUMENTING EXPOSURES FOR INDIVIDUALSThe National Firefighter Registry (NFR) for Cancer is a program established by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) to gather information about the occurrence of cancer among fire fighters. This registry aims to improve TRAINING: CANCER AWARENESS the understanding of the impact of firefighting on the risk of Training, education and recognition of the epidemic of cancer indeveloping cancer and to inform preventive efforts to reduce the fire service has been a goal of the Firefighter Cancer Supportthat risk. By collecting data from individuals and fire departments Network for many years. It is imperative that new generations ofacross the country, the registry provides a comprehensive fire fighters are made aware of the large impact that cancer hasand standardized picture of cancer among fire fighters. This on fire fighters during their career as well as into retirement. Theinformation can help identify areas where additional research is following list highlights some of the topics that are taught duringneeded and inform the development of protective measures and these cancer awareness outreach classes. This curriculum shouldpolicies to reduce the risk of cancer among fire fighters.be taught at every recruit school and reviewed annually at everyThe importance of the NFR lies in the fact that fire fighters fire department. WAC 296.62 also requires an awareness of theface a higher risk of developing cancer than the general hazards of carcinogens on the job, and annual refresher trainingpopulation due to the nature of their work. Fire fighters are is required prior to entering any live fire training scenario or actualexposed to a variety of cancer-causing substances and toxins fire scenario. in smoke, soot and ash that can be absorbed through the skin Fire Department Accident Prevention plans as required by WACand inhaled. A centralized database of information on fire 296-305-01505 should include mitigation techniques associatedfighter cancer cases will help researchers better understand with the hazards of occupational cancer. the relationship between firefighting and cancer and develop effective strategies to reduce the risk of cancer in this population. Carcinogenic hazards of chemicals encountered on theThe registry also will provide valuable information to fire fireground, including local and systemic toxicity fighters, fire departments and public health officials, allowing Benefits of personal wellness efforts, including exercise,them to make informed decisions about cancer prevention and nutrition and annual physicals occupational safety.The most common types of cancer in the fire service that fire fighters are more likely to develop than the general population: multiple myeloma, non-Hodgkins lymphoma, esophageal cancer, brain cancer, colon cancer, prostate cancer, skin cancer and testicular cancerSupporting research and findings demonstrating the scope of cancer in the fire serviceLaws and standards applicable in the specific state and jurisdiction regarding cancer in the fire serviceCommon exposures and chemicals that pose a risk to fire fightersMethods of reducing exposures to carcinogens at incident scenesBenefits of Personal Exposure Reduction, such as hand, face and neck washing on sceneMethods for cleaning turnouts and self-care after an incidentMethods of documenting exposures after an incidentEducation on exposures and cancer risks before any training or incidents that have the potential to expose fire fighters to known carcinogens, asphyxiates, poisons, irritants and allergensProvision of all appropriate PPE to minimize exposuresRequirements to use all appropriate PPE to minimize exposuresRecommendation that all staff who participate in the training offire fighters conform to the practices listed in this document26'