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WE HELP FIREFIGHTERS AND THEIR FAMILIES COPE WITH CANCER

Since 2005, the nonprofit Firefighter Cancer Support Network (FCSN) has provided assistance and one-on-one mentoring to thousands of cancer-stricken firefighters and their families. FCSN also delivers extensive firefighter cancer awareness and prevention training nationwide.

Vision: To be the global leader in firefighter cancer support, awareness and education.  

Mission: To assist firefighters and EMS providers and their immediate families diagnosed with cancer by providing badge to badge support, training and guidance.

ABOUT US

Cancer is the most dangerous threat to firefighter health and safety today
There’s little data about cancer among volunteer firefighters, and the U.S. Fire Administration’s firefighter fatality statistics do not include cancer-related deaths, but it’s a stark reality: Firefighting increases cancer risks significantly for every firefighter.

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

FCSN can start helping immediately following a cancer diagnosis with an FCSN cancer-support toolbox. FCSN’s signature toolbox, delivered free of charge, contains tested, proven resources to help firefighters and their families cope with the cancer diagnosis, treatment, and recovery phases. If you have received a cancer diagnosis, please call FCSN’s toll-free number – 1-866-994-FCSN (3276) – or simply visit our Request Assistance page.

Badge-to-badge Support

Next, FCSN offers free badge-to-badge peer support to fire/EMS members and their immediate families. FCSN’s unique network includes more than 130 volunteer peer-support mentors—nearly all are firefighters and paramedics who are cancer survivors themselves. FCSN’s network also includes mentors for spouses and children. Many mentors started their relationship with FCSN seeking assistance for themselves. Now they’re giving back by helping others through the process.

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:

Cancer Awareness & Prevention Education

FCSN has delivered our extensive cancer awareness and prevention training program to thousands of firefighters across America from the largest fire-service events, including the Fire Department Instructors Conference, Fire–Rescue International, and the National Volunteer Firefighter Council national conference to fire departments of every size, both volunteer and career.

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.

BE THE DIFFERENCE

Donating is a quick, easy way to show your support for what we do. Even a little bit goes a long way.
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REQUEST ASSISTANCE

If you are in need of help, FCSN is ready to assist you any way we can during this challenging period in your life.
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