ABOUT US

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  Occupational Cancer Caused 65% of the career firefighter line-of-duty deaths from January 1, 2002, to December 31, 2021 according to data from the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF).
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  Cancer caused 61 percent of the career firefighter line-of-duty deaths from January 1, 2002, to December 31, 2016, according to data from the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF).
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  Cancer caused 70 percent of the line-of-duty deaths for career firefighters in 2016.
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  Firefighters have a 9 percent higher risk of being diagnosed with cancer than the general U.S. population.
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  Firefighters have a 14 percent higher risk of dying from cancer than the general U.S. population.

About the Firefighter Cancer Support Network

FCSN is a 501(c)(3) organization established by Los Angeles County Firefighter Paramedic Michael Dubron, a survivor of stage IV colon cancer. Today, FCSN’s key supporters and partners include the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF), the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC), the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC), Firefighter Close Calls (FFCC), and the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF), among many other respected fire-service organizations. FCSN is a founding member of the Fire Service Occupational Cancer Alliance. We also work with the American Cancer Society and the Live Strong Foundation.

Now in our 19th year, FCSN has active operations in 44 states. In 2016, we expanded FCSN’s cancer-prevention training and launched our new train-the-trainer program. Of course, we’re continuing our primary focus, which is supporting firefighters and their families following a cancer diagnosis.

Immediate Help

Badge-to-badge Support

WHAT WE DO

Badge-to-badge Mentorship

Critical assistance for career or volunteer, active or retired firefighters, emergency medical service providers, and their immediate family members who have been diagnosed with cancer is provided through valuable and immediate post-diagnosis resources followed by unique 24-hour badge-to-badge mentorship from one of over 220 fire-service expert mentors. Beyond the badge, our program offers similar support for caregivers and children as well.

FCSN Signature Toolbox

Within days of diagnosis, we deliver our free cancer-support toolbox which, in addition to being a daily reminder that no one fights alone, includes the Firefighter’s Guide to Cancer Survivorship, that contains tested, proven resources to help firefighters and their families cope with and manage through their diagnosis, treatment, and recovery processes. Our guide was informed by the American Cancer Society (ACS) and created to provide easy access to the following information:

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  medical appointments
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  physical challenges
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  mental strain and fatigue
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  worker’s compensation
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  caregiver support
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  medical team
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  communication
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  survivorship
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  journaling resources
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  testimonials

Cancer Awareness & Prevention Education

Research & Development

Widely hailed as a groundbreaking study and guidebook, the 2013 FCSN White Paper, Taking Action Against Cancer in the Fire Service, continues to be an important resource for individuals and fire departments nationwide to expose, reduce and manage cancer risk. The useful, 11 immediate actions, has been implemented across the country to help protect firefighters from occupational cancer. FCSN continues to actively engage with experts to participate in engineering and medical research studies. Additionally, FCSN continues to be a resource for leading cancer organizations, physicians, research scientists and institutes to gather and report the prominence of cancer amongst members of the fire service.

Advocacy & Data Reporting

FCSN staff provides information specific to cancer in firefighters. In particular, types most prominent, demographic information, statistical data related to geographical incidence, and other relevant data points. FCSN also works directly with many of the leading cancer physicians, research scientists and institutes to gather and report the prevalence of cancer amongst members of the fire service.

Fire Fighter Cancer Awareness Month

Fighter Cancer Awareness Month to provide fire fighters the necessary tools and guidance to develop life-saving protocols for cancer prevention and to support those with a cancer diagnosis within their departments.