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New firefighter protective hoods reduce exposure to cancer causing chemicals


Firefighters at the department acquired 40 new protective hoods that reduce exposure to cancer causing chemicals.{p}{/p}
Firefighters at the department acquired 40 new protective hoods that reduce exposure to cancer causing chemicals.

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The Homer Fire Department is trying out new gear in hopes to prevent fire fighters from getting cancer in the future.

Firefighters at the department acquired 40 new protective hoods that reduce exposure to cancer causing chemicals.

According to the firefighter cancer support network, cancer is the leading cause of firefighters' line-of-duty deaths.

Firefighters have a nine percent higher risk of being diagnosed and a 14 percent higher risk of dying from cancer than the general population.

In April of 2014 the fire chief Mahlon Irish said a doctor told him something that would change his life.

“If you don't have this removed, this will kill you and Ill never forget those words,” Mahlon said.

The doctor gave him the news that he had prostate cancer.

For Mahlon he was confused he had no history of cancer in his family.

And the conversation led to what do you do for work, well I'm a firefighter,” Mahlon said.

The doctor said there’s a high probability exposure to burning materials that led to cancer. Mahlon wanted to do something after hearing the news.

His department is now giving their firefighters hoods to protect them to reduce exposure to chemicals that cause cancer.

Interior firefighters who actually enter burning buildings get two, if one is dirty then they get another.

Irish said in the heat of job, firefighters perspire under their gear which opens the skins pores to absorb chemicals.

The hoods cover the most vulnerable areas the head, neck, jaw and groin.

Each hood is made up of three layers including Kevlar that is resistant to cuts. the old hoods used only two layers.

With these new hoods, Mahlon is not thinking of himself, he’s thinking about others.

“It’s too late for me I’ve got cancer. But if I can do anything to keep our fighters here better protected,” Mahlon said.

Using these hoods is the next step to reduce the chance of getting cancer for future generations of firefighters.

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