COLUMBUS, Ohio — Firefighters risk their lives every day by putting themselves in harm's way to protect others. But it's the silent killer of cancer that seems to be taking their lives the most.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that cancer is the leading cause of death among firefighters, often due to exposure to smoke and hazardous chemicals. That's why the CDC has recognized January as Firefighter Cancer Awareness Month.
“You are breathing that stuff in constantly,” said retired Columbus Fire Captain Chad Bukey.
According to the International Association of Fire Fighters, 72% of their member line-of-duty deaths were due to occupational cancer, a statistic Bukey knows all too well.
“It's been a rough time these last couple of years. I can say it's the hardest thing I have ever been through. I'm doing OK at the moment. I'm still considered stage four,” Bukey explained.
Bukey started his career days after 9/11 and retired as a Columbus Fire Captain less than three weeks ago due to issues related to his cancer treatment.
“My wife has been wonderful. She has been there for everything. My neighbors, everyone has been great. I can't say enough about them. I can't say enough about Columbus Fire, the union, the local union, everything they have done for me,” Bukey explained.
Bukey's cancer has qualified as occupational cancer, a growing problem more and more firefighters are facing.
“You see them all the time now. It's pretty commonplace to walk into a station, each station throughout the city and find someone who is battling cancer,” Bukey said.
“Just by being a firefighter, you are far more likely to be diagnosed with cancer,” said International Association of Fire Fighters General President Edward Kelly.
Kelly said that aside from the carcinogens firefighters breathe in fighting a fire, their gear is also making them sick.
“Ironically, the personal protective equipment we wear day in and day out, our bunker gear is actually infused with PFAS, which is a known carcinogen. When they manufacture calls to have this moisture barrier that has PFAS in it, infused in the gear, we are actually exposing ourselves,” Kelly explained.
He adds there is a bill in Congress to create new, safer gear for firefighters. For now, he's making sure first responders like Bukey get the support they need.
“When we put our lives on the line, and the fact of the matter is, the exposures we endure in the course of a career add up. The latency period of exposures adds up for firefighters,” Kelly said.
When asked if Bukey would still choose to be a firefighter now knowing the potential consequences, he stood true to his passion.
“I would not change my career. I love firefighting. It's been a blessing for me,” Bukey said.